Question

thinking about it all, i am ready to burst into tears. if the auburn - haired girl wasnt sitting in my compartment i would be able to close the door and have a nice cry. but instead, i choke back the tears. 12 “whats your name?” she asks abruptly. i hate this question, because i always feel the need to offer an explanation after i answer. 13 “bernadette thompson. but nobody calls me that, except my mom. i hate it, actually. she gave me a rich - sounding name, hoping it would help me get a rich husband. everyone calls me byrd. its better that way.” 14 “byrd. i like that. so where you headed, byrd?” 15 “texas.” she laughs. “well, that i figured. were already in texas, by the way. you must have slept all through oklahoma. thats when i got on. you aint going to sweetwater, are you?” 17 i slowly nod. i didnt even know we were outside of iowa yet. “me too,” she says, and our eyes meet. and before i know it, the tears start streaming down my face, and for a moment i feel like im watching myself from outside of my body. 11 which event initiates the rising action of the excerpt? the girl on the train tells byrd that they have reached texas. the girl on the train notices the book byrd is reading. byrd is assisted by the conductor at the start of her trip. byrd falls asleep while reading her favorite book. clear all

Explanation:

The rising - action in a story is the part where the conflict and tension start to build. In the excerpt, the interaction between Byrd and the girl on the train begins with the girl asking Byrd's name and then asking where she is headed. This interaction leads to further development of the situation and emotions. The event that initiates this rising action is when the girl on the train notices Byrd and starts a conversation. Among the options, the girl on the train noticing the book Byrd is reading is the start of their interaction which leads to the subsequent events.

Answer:

The girl on the train notices the book Byrd is reading