What techniques might a writer use to create suspense in a narrative?

Prepare for the NCEA Level 3 English Unfamiliar Texts Exam. Study with multiple choice quizzes and thorough explanations. Ace your exam!

The choice of foreshadowing, pacing, and cliffhanger endings as techniques to create suspense is valid because these elements directly contribute to the tension and anticipation experienced by readers.

Foreshadowing is a technique that plants subtle hints about future events, which can build curiosity and keep readers engaged as they try to piece together what will happen next. This creates a sense of foreboding, encouraging the reader to read on to uncover the outcomes hinted at.

Pacing refers to the rhythm and speed at which a narrative unfolds. By manipulating the pacing—slowing down during critical moments to build tension or speeding up during action sequences—a writer can effectively create a feeling of urgency or apprehension, heightening the reader's suspense.

Cliffhanger endings leave unresolved action or dramatic moments at the conclusion of a chapter or section, prompting the reader to continue in order to discover the resolution. This technique capitalizes on the psychological principle of curiosity, compelling the reader to remain invested in the narrative.

The other choices do not serve to build suspense in the same direct manner. While detailed descriptions of settings can enhance atmosphere, they do not inherently create tension or anticipation. Immediate resolution of conflicts typically provides closure, reducing suspense instead of fostering it. Repetition of key

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