Question

read the passage.
i clicked on the light switch and my jaw dropped. my parents, siblings, and friends leapt from behind couches and curtains and out from under tables. \surprise!\ they cheered in unison. streamers dangled from the ceiling. balloons billowed along the walls. gifts glittered on the table. chelsea brought me a cup of punch, and yusef handed me a cupcake frosted with tiny purple flowers. i was overwhelmed. i was overjoyed. i was overcome. i had no words. i stood there with my mouth open, speechless.
which stylistic element most contributes to the author’s voice of astonishment?
○ words with positive connotations
○ parallel sentence structure
○ metaphor
○ punctuation

Explanation:

The author uses short, repeated independent clauses ("I was overwhelmed. I was overjoyed. I was overcome.") that follow parallel structure. This rhythmic, repetitive pattern emphasizes the intense, layered feeling of astonishment by mirroring the speaker's stunned, cascading reaction to the surprise. The other options do not match: positive connotations describe the happy scene but not the astonishment voice; no metaphor is used; punctuation alone does not drive the astonished tone.

Answer:

parallel sentence structure