4. Reread the conclusion of the story. How does the author's portrayal of the old man departing contribute to the meaning of the text? A. The ending shows how even sympathetic reactions
are rooted in selfishness.
B. People have the ability to shape their future, if they're
willing to do what it takes.
C. Although some people believe they can control their
fate, it will go away and leave them alone.
D. While people may believe they can outsmart death, it
will always be one step ahead of them.

Read the excerpt from the war of the worlds, in which the first martian exits the spacecraft.a sudden chill came over me. there was a loud shriek from a woman behind. i half turned, keeping my eyes fixed upon the cylinder still, from which other tentacles were now projecting, and began pushing my way back from the edge of the pit. i saw astonishment giving place to horror on the faces of the people about me. i looked again at the cylinder, and ungovernable terror gripped me. i stood petrified and staring.what option accurately analyzes the impact of the narrator's thoughts and actions on the tone of the excerpt? the war of the worldsa disdainful tone is created as the narrator ponders the ugliness of the tentacles and turns to the shrieking woman.a melancholy tone is created by the narrator's thoughts of fear and refusal to avert his eyes.a tone of determination is created when the narrator thinks of escape and backs away from the edge of the pit.a fearful tone is created through the narrator's thoughts of horror and his glance at the cylinder.