Question

The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie It was 2 p.m. on the afternoon of May 7, 1915. The Lusitania had been struck by two torpedoes in succession and was sinking rapidly, while the boats were being launched with all possible speed. The women and children were being lined up awaiting their turn. . . . One girl stood alone, slightly apart from the rest. She was quite young, not more than eighteen. She did not seem afraid, and her grave, steadfast eyes looked straight ahead. “I beg your pardon.” A man’s voice beside her made her start and turn. She had noticed the speaker more than once amongst the first-class passengers. There had been a hint of mystery about him which had appealed to her imagination. He spoke to no one. If anyone spoke to him he was quick to rebuff the overture. . . . She noticed now that he was greatly agitated. 29 Select the correct answer from each drop-down menu. Read the excerpt. Which word and phrase best complete the sentence? The in this passage begins with the sentence .

Answer 1

The exposition in this passage begins with the sentence "It was 2 p.m. on the afternoon of May 7, 1915." This is because the exposition is the part of the story that introduces the setting, characters, and conflict.

So, the setting is the sinking of the Lusitania, the characters are the young girl and the mysterious stranger, and the conflict is the sinking of the ship and the fear and uncertainty that it causes.

The following sentence, "while the boats were being launched with all possible speed," suggests that there is a race against time to save the passengers and crew. The sentence "The women and children were being lined up awaiting their turn" further highlights the urgency of the situation and introduces the young girl who is standing alone, slightly apart from the rest.