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; it's about foreshadowing, so A is incorrect.
• Option B: The paragraph clearly states the pigeons are flying away and forecasting death, not suggesting it's not real, so B is wrong.
• Option C: The paragraph ends with the pigeons' departure forecasting death, which is a sudden reveal of a potential bad event for the family, making it powerful in affecting the reader's perception of impending misfortune.
• Option D: The paragraph presents the omen seriously, not as amusing or showing folklore is bogus, so D is incorrect.

Answer:

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