SAT-Critical-Reading Real Exam Prep DEMO

Question 8: Here my friend, about whose madness I now saw, or fancied that I saw, certain indications of
method,
removed the peg which marked the spot where the beetle fell, to a spot about three inches to the
westward of its former position. Taking, now, the tape measure from the nearest point of the trunk
to the
peg, as before, and continuing the extension in a straight line to the distance of fifty feet, a spot was
indicated, removed, by several yards, from the point at which we had been digging.
Around the new position a circle, somewhat larger than in the former instance, was now described,
and
we again set to work with the spades. I was dreadfully weary, but, scarcely understanding what had
occasioned the change in my thoughts, I felt no longer any great aversion from the labor imposed. I
had
become most unaccountably interested--nay, even excited. Perhaps there was something, amid all
the
extravagant demeanor of Legrand-some air of forethought, or of deliberation, which impressed me. I
dug
eagerly, and now and then caught myself actually looking, with something that very much resembled
expectation, for the fancied treasure, the vision of which had demented my unfortunate companion.
At a
period when such vagaries of thought most fully possessed me, and when we had been at work
perhaps
an hour and a half, we were again interrupted by the violent howlings of the dog. His uneasiness, in
the
first instance, had been, evidently, but the result of playfulness or caprice, but he now assumed a
bitter
and serious tone. Upon Jupiter's again attempting to muzzle him, he made furious resistance, and,
leaping into the hole, tore up the mould frantically with his claws. In a few seconds he had uncovered
a
mass of human bones, forming two complete skeletons, intermingled with several buttons of metal,
and
what appeared to be the dust of decayed woolen. One or two strokes of a spade upturned the blade
of a
large Spanish knife, and, as we dug farther, three or four loose pieces of gold and silver coin came to
light.
At sight of these the joy of Jupiter could scarcely be restrained, but the countenance of his master
wore an
air of extreme disappointment he urged us, however, to continue our exertions, and the words were
hardly
uttered when I stumbled and fell forward, having caught the toe of my boot in a large ring of iron
that lay
half buried in the loose earth.
We now worked in earnest, and never did I pass ten minutes of more intense excitement. During his
interval we had fairly unearthed an oblong chest of wood, which, from its perfect preservation and
wonderful hardness, had plainly been subjected to some mineralizing process--perhaps that of the
Bi-chloride of Mercury. This box was three feet and a half long, three feet broad, and two and a half
feet
deep. It was firmly secured by bands of wrought iron, riveted, and forming a kind of open trelliswork
over
the whole. On each side of the chest, near the top, were three rings of iron--six in all--by means of
which a
firm hold could be obtained by six persons. Our utmost united endeavors served only to disturb the
coffer
very slightly in its bed. We at once saw the impossibility of removing so great a weight. Luckily, the
sole
fastenings of the lid consisted of two sliding bolts. These we drew back trembling and panting with
anxiety.
In an instant, a treasure of incalculable value lay gleaming before us. As the rays of the lanterns fell
within
the pit, there flashed upwards a glow and a glare, from a confused heap of gold and of jewels, that
absolutely dazzled our eyes.
I shall not pretend to describe the feelings with which I gazed. Amazement was, of course,
predominant.
Legrand appeared exhausted with excitement, and spoke very few words. Jupiter's countenance
wore, for
some minutes, as deadly a pallor as it is possible, in nature of things, for any negro's visage to
assume.
He seemed stupefied thunderstricken. Presently he fell upon his knees in the pit, and, burying his
naked
arms up to the elbows in gold, let them there remain, as if enjoying the luxury of a bath.
It became necessary, at last, that I should arouse both master and valet to the expediency of
removing the
treasure. It was growing late, and it behooved us to make exertion, that we might get every thing
housed
before daylight. It was difficult to say what should be done, and much time was spent in
deliberation--so
confused were the ideas of all. We, finally, lightened the box by removing two thirds of its contents,
when
we were enabled, with some trouble, to raise it from the hole. The articles taken out were deposited
among the brambles, and the dog left to guard them, with strict orders from Jupiter neither, upon
any
pretence, to stir from the spot, nor to open his mouth until our return.
At what point in the excerpt was there a marked mood change?
A. between paragraphs 1 and 2
B. between paragraphs 2 and 3
C. between paragraphs 3 and 4
D. between paragraphs 4 and 5
E. between paragraphs 5 and 6
Correct Answer: A
Explanation/Reference:
The mood clearly changes between paragraphs 1 and 2. The narrator clearly explains he was tired,
but
"scarcely understanding what had occasioned the change in my thoughts."