At which point in a novel is an author most likely to employ comic relief?
in the beginning, when introducing the main characters.
in the end, after the tragic resolution of a crisis.
when there is great tension in the protagonist's situation.
when the author wants to comment on a major topical issue.

the present continuous is a verb tense which is mainly used to indicates that an action is in progress at the moment of speaking.  

it is formed using: person + verb to be (am/is/are) +verb + - ing form  

example: i am studying at this moment .

in addition, the present continuous is also used in order to express things that will or will not happen in the near future.

example: i am having dinner with some friends tonight.

the speaker sometimes   uses it   to express that an action is repeated and it causes irritation on the part of the speaker

example: my sister is constantly complaining about everything.

the answer is b. i read this story before.