Question

read the passage.

a modern love letter

i am such a voracious reader that my mother has remarked, \isabella sanchez, youd read anything, including the dictionary!\ of course ive perused the occasional dictionary, but i much prefer the gripping suspense of mystery novels. and though i dont like to gloat, i must admit that i usually solve the mystery before the fictional detective synthesizes the clues into a plausible theory. strolling home from the library with yet another satchel full of paperbacks, i lament that nothing in my life exhilarates me as much as unraveling intricate mysteries. when ominous clouds obscure the sun and lightning electrifies the atmosphere, i imagine my favorite literary detective rubbing her hands together, anticipating her latest case, and

how does the author’s use of flashback in paragraph 3 affect the story?

it raises tension by showing mateo’s interest in bella at the library, in contrast to mateos indifference later on.

it increases the sense of drama by showing that bella is unaware she has a secret admirer.

it creates a mystery by making the reader wonder if mateo is the writer of the love letters.

it raises surprise by showing that bella’s mother was unaware that bella had a boyfriend

Explanation:

First, note that the flashback in Paragraph 3 (referencing Mateo's interaction with Bella at the library) introduces ambiguity: it shows Mateo's interest, which makes readers question if he is the secret author of the love letters, creating a central mystery that aligns with Bella's love of mystery novels. The other options are incorrect: there is no indication of Mateo's later indifference, Bella already suspects she has an admirer, and the flashback does not involve her mother's awareness of a boyfriend.

Answer:

It creates a mystery by making the reader wonder if Mateo is the writer of the love letters.