Question

to be sure, he had heard the owls screech for many and many a night, but he had seen no cause for fear in this: everything was going along nicely, their little son was in good health and they, too, knew no illness. but now the warning of the evil omen was confirmed. the pigeons which he had himself brought up were flying away. they were leaving, thus forecasting the arrival of death.
how does structuring the story to end with this paragraph affect the reader’s perception of events?
a the final paragraph complicates things because it makes the reader wonder if the man’s perception of things is accurate
b the final paragraph is confusing because it signifies that the departure of the birds may not really be happening
c this final paragraph is powerful because it suddenly reveals the bad thing that could soon happen to the family
d the final paragraph is amusing, because it shows that folklore is bogus

Explanation:

• Option A: The paragraph doesn't focus on questioning the man's perception accuracy. The text shows the man's previous calm and now the omen's confirmation, not a focus on his perception's validity. So A is incorrect.
• Option B: The paragraph states the pigeons are flying away, so it's not suggesting the departure isn't real. B misinterprets the text.
• Option C: The paragraph starts with the man's previous sense of safety and then reveals the pigeons (his own) flying away as a forecast of death. This sudden reveal of a potential bad event (death) for the family gives the ending power, as it shifts from calm to a foreboding threat. This matches the text's structure.
• Option D: The paragraph presents the omen (pigeons leaving as death forecast) as confirmed, not as showing folklore is bogus. D is incorrect.

Answer:

C. This final paragraph is powerful because it suddenly reveals the bad thing that could soon happen to the family