Read the excerpt from "Missing in Action” by Thanhha Lai.This day Mother prepares an altarto chant for his return, offering fruit, incense, tuberoses, and glutinous rice.She displays his portrait taken during Tết the year he disappeared.How peaceful he looks, smiling, peacock tails at the corners of his eyes.Each of us bows and wishes and hopes and prays.
Answer
A
It introduces a repeated idea that underscores how the atmosphere of the household is tense.
B
It develops a slow rhythm that highlights how the speaker is sympathetic to her mother.
C
It creates a continuous thought, as it presents the idea that rituals must be followed carefully.
D
It builds the intensity, as it emphasizes the importance the family places on honoring a family member.
Explanation
The repeated “and” in “bows and wishes and hopes and prays” is an example of polysyndeton. It builds intensity by piling up the family’s actions and feelings, emphasizing how much they value honoring the missing family member. The passage does not mainly create tension or describe rituals as rules to be followed carefully.
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.