Question

select the correct text in the passage
which sentence in this excerpt from ambrose bierces \an occurrence at owl creek bridge\ refers to the reality of farquhars situation in the dream sequence he envisions?
they tore it away and thrust it fiercely aside, its undulations resembling those of a water snake. \put it back, put it back!\ he thought he shouted these words to his hands, for the undoing of the noose had been succeeded by the direst pang that he had yet experienced. his neck ached horribly, his brain was on fire, his heart, which had been fluttering faintly, gave a great leap, trying to force itself out at his mouth. his whole body was racked and wrenched with an insupportable anguish! but his disobedient hands gave no heed to the command. they beat the water vigorously with quick, downward strokes, forcing him to the surface. he felt his head emerge, his eyes were blinded by the sunlight, his chest expanded convulsively, and with a supreme and crowning agony his lungs engulfed a great draught of air, which instantly he expelled in a shriek!

Explanation:

The question asks for the sentence that reflects the real physical reality of Farquhar's situation within his dream sequence. The intense neck pain and bodily agony described in one sentence correspond to the actual experience of being hanged, which is the real situation he is in, even as he hallucinates an escape.

Answer:

His neck ached horribly, his brain was on fire, his heart, which had been fluttering faintly, gave a great leap, trying to force itself out at his mouth. His whole body was racked and wrenched with an insupportable anguish!