Final answer:
The excerpt from 'Awakening' contributes to the rising action of the story, building suspense and tension leading towards the climax.
Step-by-step explanation:
The excerpt from the 'Awakening' serves in the plot structure as part of creating suspense or tension, hence associated with the rising action of the story. During these stages, characters are developed, complications arise, and the storyline gets more intricate and complex. The questions and speculations presented in the excerpt indicate that the narrative is building towards the plot's high point or climax, rather than concluding or resolving the story's main conflict.
Learn more about Plot structure in literature