Question

Read the excerpt from "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge."

Excepting the group of four at the center of the bridge, not a man moved. The company faced the bridge,
staring stonily, motionless. The sentinels, facing the banks of the stream, might have been statues to adorn
the bridge. The captain stood with folded arms, silent, observing the work of his subordinates, but making no
sign. Death is a dignitary who when he comes announced is to be received with formal manifestations of
respect, even by those most familiar with him. In the code of military etiquette silence and fixity are forms of
deference.
Which is the most reasonable prediction?
O The four men will remain standing on the bridge.
The crowd is waiting for a death to take place.
The captain will help his subordinates with their work.
O The sentinels will not be able to remain motionless.

Answer 1

B

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

The most reasonable prediction based on the excerpt from "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" is:

The crowd is waiting for a death to take place.

The passage describes a group of soldiers standing motionless and silent as they await the arrival of Death, who is being treated with formal respect according to military etiquette. This suggests that some kind of execution or other death sentence is about to be carried out, and the soldiers and sentinels are there to witness it. Therefore, the most likely prediction is that the crowd is waiting for someone to be executed or killed.

The excerpt describes the group of men on the bridge as motionless and silent, as if they are waiting for something to happen. The captain is observing the work of his subordinates but making no sign. The passage also mentions that in the code of military etiquette, silence and fixity are forms of deference to death. Therefore, it is most reasonable to predict that the crowd is waiting for a death to take place.