Read the passage below and answer the question that follows.

late thursday evening, jane was walking home from her friend audrey’s house when she heard a startling noise. the still of the night was disturbed by the loud sound of trash cans hitting the ground. anxious, jane went to investigate the cause. she took out her pepper spray as she inched closer to the alley. suddenly, one of the lids clattered to the floor. startled, jane jumped back and was about to yell for when she saw the tail of a black cat disappearing behind the wall. she shook her head and sighed, relieved.

based on the passage above, what does startling mean?

a.

exciting

b.

calming

c.

alarming

d.

pleasing