Question

read the excerpt from chapter 7 of night. when at last a grayish light appeared on the horizon, it revealed a tangle of human shapes, heads sunk deeply between the shoulders, crouching, piled one on top of the other, like a cemetery covered with snow. in the early dawn light, i tried to distinguish between the living and those who were no more. but there was barely a difference. my gaze remained fixed on someone who, eyes wide open, stared into space. his colorless face was covered with a layer of frost and snow. which statement best describes the atmosphere the author creates? ○ it is an atmosphere of relief. ○ it is an atmosphere of hesitation. ○ it is a skeptical atmosphere. ○ it is a nightmarish atmosphere.

Explanation:

The excerpt from "Night" describes human shapes piled like a cemetery, with little difference between the living and dead, and a frost - covered, colorless face. These details (tangled human shapes, similarity between living and dead, frosty/colorless face) create a disturbing, nightmare - like scene. "Relief" is incorrect as there's no relief - inducing content. "Hesitation" doesn't match the grim description. "Skeptical" is also not supported as the focus is on the grim atmosphere, not doubt. So the nightmare - like atmosphere is the best fit.

Answer:

D. It is a nightmarish atmosphere.