Shia looked up from his monitor, rubbed his eyes, and stared down the dark hallway toward the CFO’s office. He was certain a sound had come from behind the closed door. It was a heavy thump, like someone had dropped a bowling ball.
There shouldn’t be anyone else here at this hour, Shia thought to himself as he looked at his watch. The only illumination came from Shia’s computer monitor. His office was on the thirtieth floor, far too high to get much more than a faint glow from the street lights below. Shia slowly stood up before reaching down to turn off the computer screen, hoping to hide in the darkness. He considered turning on his phone’s flashlight, but his thoughts were cut short by a loud crash followed by the unmistakable tinkling of shattered glass.
She froze, as if he were caught by the gaze of Medusa. The initial doubt that he would actually find someone snooping around the CFO’s office had turned to an icy fear that gripped his lungs and would not let him breathe. His heart was pounding loudly in his ears; he knew whoever was in his boss’s office must be able to hear it.
Another crash, followed by a loud howl that he was sure couldn’t be human, shocked She’s into motion, He broke into a run… in the opposite direction. He sprinted for the emergency stairwell and rushed downward, jumping over the last few steps of each fight. Shia didn’t stop running and he had burst through the ground floor exit to the parking garage and found his car, His heart continued racing until he was at home in bed. He sent his boss a single text message before turning over and trying to force himself to sleep, don’t think I can work late anymore”
Which of the following is the topic of the excerpt?
A.
A building with poor lighting and security
B.
A mysterious experience at work
C.
A boss’s expectations of an employee
D.
An employee who is easily scared
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is B. A mysterious experience at work.
Explanation:
This excerpt centers on Shia’s unsettling and mysterious experience while working late at his office. The narrative unfolds with Shia hearing strange and alarming noises from the CFO’s office, which triggers a series of anxious and fear-driven actions.
- Initial Setting and Suspense: Shia’s perception of the environment sets a tense mood. The office is dimly lit, with only the computer monitor providing illumination. The description of the noises—a heavy thump and a loud crash followed by the tinkling of shattered glass—creates an atmosphere of suspense and uncertainty. These details suggest that something unusual and potentially dangerous is happening behind the closed door of the CFO’s office.
- Character Reaction and Conflict: Shia’s reaction to the noises reflects his fear and anxiety. He initially considers hiding but is overwhelmed by fear upon hearing further disturbing sounds. This psychological tension illustrates the mysterious nature of the situation and highlights Shia’s emotional state. The description of his heartbeat and the sounds he hears accentuate the mystery and threat he perceives.
- Climax and Resolution: Shia’s decision to flee the building is a critical moment that underscores the gravity of the situation. His decision to run down the emergency stairwell and escape to his car, followed by a text to his boss, emphasizes the fear and urgency of the mysterious events he witnessed. His immediate action to leave the office and the final message he sends (“don’t think I can work late anymore”) reflect his relief and lingering apprehension.
The excerpt does not primarily focus on the building’s lighting and security, the boss’s expectations, or Shia’s general tendency to be scared. Instead, it highlights a specific mysterious and frightening event occurring in the workplace, making option B the most accurate topic for the excerpt.