Question

select the correct text in the passage. which two events in the text work together to build tension in the passage? (1) presently, i heard a noise again, and woke up quietly, without starting, but just opened my eyes and peered about as well as the dim light of the little oil - lamp would allow me. (2) to my great surprise, i could make out somehow that lemarchant was meddling with the bottles in the medicine - chest.... (3) at four i woke, as i always did, and proceeded to take one of my powders. curiously enough, before i tasted it, the grain appeared to me to be rather coarser and more granular than the quinine i had originally put there. i took a pinch between my finger and thumb, and placed it on my tongue by way of testing it. instead of being bitter, the powder, i found, was insipid and almost tasteless....

Explanation:

To determine the two events that build tension, we analyze each:

• Event (1): The narrator wakes at a noise, creating suspense (who/what made the noise?).
• Event (2): Discovering Lemarchant meddled with medicine bottles hints at foul play, increasing tension.
• Event (3): Tasting a changed powder suggests tampering, escalating danger/suspense.

But the question asks for two. Event (2) (meddling) and Event (3) (tasting altered powder) work: (2) introduces the threat of tampering, (3) reveals the tampering's effect, building tension. Alternatively, (1) (waking to noise) and (2) (meddling) also build tension (noise + discovery of meddling). However, the most cohesive pair for tension is (2) and (3) or (1) and (2). Assuming the options are (2) and (3) (or (1) and (2)), but from the text, (2) (Lemarchant meddling) and (3) (tasting changed powder) create a rising tension of possible poisoning or sabotage.

Answer:

(2) To my great surprise, I could make out somehow that Lemarchant was meddling with the bottles in the medicine - chest...
(3) At four I woke, as I always did, and proceeded to take one of my powders. Curiously enough, before I tasted it, the grain appeared to me to be rather coarser and more granular than the quinine I had originally put there. I took a pinch between my finger and thumb, and placed it on my tongue by way of testing it. Instead of being bitter, the powder, I found, was insipid and almost tasteless...