The following text is from a novel. A character is walking through a city garden. Julian felt no deep connection to botany, but he loved order and was soothed by scenery that matched his mood. The garden spread before him seemed a mirror of his current peace; he recognized his own calmness in its geometric paths and trimmed hedges. Near the gate, the red tulips stood like soldiers; further back were rows of white lilies and the dark green of the ivy wall.
Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?
It creates a visual setting for the character’s walk.
It indicates that the character is feeling anxious.
It asserts a claim that the next sentence contradicts.
It illustrates the connection between the character’s mood and the landscape introduced in the previous sentence.
Correct Answer: D
Choice D is the best answer. The previous sentence says scenery "matched his mood." The underlined sentence says the garden seemed a "mirror of his current peace." This illustrates the connection.
Choice A is incorrect. While it describes the setting, the function is to link it to the mood. Choice B is incorrect. He feels "calmness," not anxiety. Choice C is incorrect. There is no contradiction.