Which statement best evaluates the author's use of pacing to enhance the
narrative?
A
.
The finish line banner moved back and forth in the wind, and Mattie's
pace picked up slightly when she saw the large running clock ticking
off the seconds. As she heard someone yelling her name, her eyes
looked through the crowd and found her mom, who was waving her
arms and jumping up and down. Mattie giggled, and with the
realization that she would cross the finish line this time, she felt a tear
slip out. "I did it," she whispered to herself as she crossed the finish
line.
A. The pacing is not effective, because the short sentences are too
upbeat to depict Mattie's difficulty with running.
B. The pacing is effective, because the short sentences are
appropriately frantic, showing how important it is to Mattie to
finish the race.
C. The pacing is effective, because the long sentences are
appropriately triumphant, emphasizing Mattie's joy at winning the
race.
D. The pacing is not effective, because the long sentences are too
relaxed to capture the excitement of finishing a race.