Nathan had been in the old house before, but this was the first time he was left alone for the evening. A scratching sound against the house made him start. He realized it was only the telephone wire slapping in the wind. A low moan came from the basement. “Ah, it’s only the furnace,” he thought. But what was that sound upstairs? Footsteps? Was someone in the house? Suddenly, three loud knocks sounded at the front door. Nathan jumped to his feet. “Why didn’t they ring the doorbell?” he wondered.
1. Which of these words best describes the mood of the passage?
A. happy C. tense
B. relaxed D. desperate
2.Which of these details does not help create that mood?
A. a scratching sound against the house
B. the fact that Nathan had been in the old house before
C. a low moan
D. three loud knocks