OpenSAT

Question #N568

The narrator of this passage, a young boy, describes the arrival of a new pet, a dog. "But, oh, I never want to see a dog again!" I said, for the dog was a very bad dog, and he did things that were awful. He had big, red eyes and a mouth that could swallow a whole calf, and he was not afraid of anything. But then one day, the dog changed. Suddenly, his eyes were clear, and he wouldn’t make a sound, and he’d sit beside me and put his head in my lap. He began to smile, and he gave me the most beautiful flowers I’d ever seen. He loved me, and I loved him, and he was the best dog in the world. And then the dog died. But that was so long ago, and my heart still aches. "But, oh, I never want to see a dog again!" I say, but I know that I’m lying. That I’m lying! I’m lying! I’m lying! I can't help it; I’m lying.

How does the structure of the last sentence of the passage contribute to its overall effect?

A. The repetition of the phrase "I’m lying" creates a sense of urgency and immediacy, which emphasizes the speaker’s strong feelings of regret.

B. The use of a series of exclamation points adds a sense of drama and excitement, which makes the speaker seem more carefree.

C. The use of a simple sentence at the end of the passage contrasts with the more complex sentences that precede it, which creates a sense of peace.

D. The sentence emphasizes the speaker’s lack of control over his emotions, which makes the speaker seem more vulnerable.

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Correct Answer is: D

The repetition of the phrase "I’m lying" in the last sentence of the passage emphasizes the speaker’s lack of control over his emotions, which makes the speaker seem more vulnerable. The exclamation points also contribute to this effect. The reader can infer that the speaker is still struggling to come to terms with his feelings of grief, despite knowing that his statement is not true. This makes the speaker seem more human and relatable.