In sentence 6 (reproduced below), the writer is considering deleting the underlined text. However, strong evidence indicates that this event did not inspire the poem and that the author was in fact Sarah
Josepha Hale, not Roulstone.
Should the writer keep or delete the underlined text?
o
A
Keep it, because it indicates why the story of Roulstone's composition is described as
"charming" in sentence 5.
B
Keep it, because it deepens the discussion in the passage by leading the reader to consider
different ways a poem may be inspired.
с
Keep it, because it previews the way the rest of the passage will support the thesis about
Hale's authorship with evidence.
D
Delete it, because it contains unimportant information that distracts from the statement of the
thesis.
E
Delete it, because it contradicts the discussion of Roulstone's childhood in the first paragraph.
Orange

Read the excerpts from part 3 of "an occurrence at owl creek bridge." a rising sheet of water curved over him, fell down upon him, blinded him, strangled him! the cannon had taken a hand in the game. as he shook his head free from the commotion of the smitten water he heard the deflected shot humming through the air ahead, and in an instant it was cracking and smashing the branches in the forest beyond. *** a whiz and rattle of grapeshot among the branches high above his head roused him from his dream. the baffled cannoneer had fired him a random farewell. he sprang to his feet, rushed up the sloping bank, and plunged into the forest. *** as he is about to clasp her he feels a stunning blow upon the back of the neck; a blinding white light blazes all about him with a sound like the shock of a cannon—then all is darkness and silence! what function does the motif of the cannon serve throughout the story? the cannon continually pushes farquhar to continue his journey through his dream and back to reality. the cannon encourages farquhar to investigate whether his escape was a dream or reality. the cannon reminds farquhar that time is subjective and encourages him to move quickly in order to reach his home. the cannon represents farquhar’s romantic dream that he escaped his execution and will return home.