Question

read the passage from our town.
on the third day all the youths and maidens of the city were brought together to the market place, so that lots might be cast for those who were to be taken. then two vessels of brass were brought and set before king aegeus and the herald who had come from crete. into one vessel they placed as many balls as there were noble youths in the city, and into the other as many as there were maidens, and all the balls were white save only seven in each vessel, and those were black as ebony.
then every maiden, without looking, reached her hand into one of the vessels and drew forth a ball, and those who took the black balls were borne away to the black ship, which lay in waiting by the shore. the young men also drew lots in like manner, but when six black balls had been drawn theseus came quickly forward and
what effect does the author create with the sequence of events in the passage?

• the author builds events slowly to create tension.
• the author races through events to create excitement.
• the author maintains the pace to create peacefulness.
• the author alternates the pace to create frustration.

Explanation:

The passage unfolds events step-by-step: first gathering youths/maidens, placing balls in vases, then maidens drawing balls, with tension building as black balls (signaling death) are drawn, and the pace slows to highlight each moment of selection. This gradual, deliberate sequence builds suspense and tension.

Answer:

The author builds events slowly to create tension.