Final answer:
The sentence provided contains auditory imagery, as it involves the sound of piano keys which appeal to the reader's sense of hearing, helping to immerse them in the story.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of imagery described in the sentence “Silence was broken by the peal of piano keys as Shannon began practicing her concerto” is auditory imagery. This form of imagery appeals to the sense of hearing, as it describes sounds that allow the reader to hear what is happening in the story. Descriptive imagery like this is used to immerse the reader in the story, making them feel as if they are present in the scene and experiencing events alongside the characters.
Imagery in writing helps to paint a vivid picture in the reader's mind, affecting their emotional engagement with the text. When a writer skillfully uses imagery linked to any of the five senses—visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile, or gustatory—it enhances the reader's experience and understanding of the narrative's atmosphere and events.