Read the passage below and choose the best way to complete the sentences at the bottom.

Mystery, suspense, and detective fiction are modern expressions of literary traditions that are rooted in the history of dark deeds and retribution. In mystery stories a vulnerable character is drawn into a mysterious situation that is revealed to be dangerous as well. Through tenacity, ingenuity, and luck the heroine or hero manages to comprehend and often expose sinister events.

Suspense fiction is a variation on the mystery that emphasizes the vulnerability of the central character, the power of an adversary, and the immediate danger of the situation rather than the character’s growing comprehension of it. Often loosely plotted, suspense stories do not require the neat resolutions found in mysteries and may in fact leave the reader with a sense of moral or supernatural ambiguity. Mysteries tend to lead toward greater understanding through a series of revelations, whereas revelations in suspense stories often intensify ambiguity until the tension is relieved at the end, if at all, only through some form of escape. Thrillers are structured in a similar way but emphasize action, so that the narrative evolves as a series of chases, entrapments, and escapes. The works of Edgar Wallace exemplified the latter genre in its purest form.

Detective fiction, an important variation of the mystery story, substitutes a skeptical, aloof, and intellectually aggressive investigator for the relatively naï ve hero or heroine of the mystery. The detective story emphasizes the detective’s investigation and often focuses on the technical details related to the examination of clues, the character of the people involved, the psychology of the criminal, the ambience in which the crime took place, or the unique perspective of the detective. Most fictional detectives are outsiders who operate in the twilight zone between established authority and the underworld yet display skills and traits drawn from both.

Where the detective is a part of established authority, the narrative is likely to be an occupational biography, a courtroom drama, or a police procedural that describes a way of doing rather than of knowing.

1. In a mystery story the hero or heroine would be

a) someone with an intellect and aggressive character.

b) a normal and plain person caught up in a mysterious situation.

c) a man or woman who uses his/her skills and knowledge to apprehend the criminal.

d) a sinister character with a mysterious background.

2. According to the passage, the ending of a suspense fiction story may be

a) clear and precise.

b) vague.

c) contradictory.

d) upsetting.

3. An action-packed plot can be found in

a) thrillers.

b) mystery stories.

c) detective stories.

d) suspense stories.

4. The detective in a detective story

a) uses his knowledge and skills to expose the criminal.

b) through luck and ingenuity uncovers the truth.

c) using underworld methods and psychology gets to the truth.

d) by living in the twilight zone gets close to the criminal.

5. The fiction story most likely to be closer to real life would be

a) a mystery.

b) a suspense story.

c) a detective story.

d) a thriller.