After we had drifted a long way, I put the oars in place and made Doodle row back against the tide. Black clouds began to gather in the southwest, and he kept watching them, trying to pull the oars a little faster. When we reached Horsehead Landing, lightning was playing across half the sky and thunder roared out, hiding even the sound of the sea. The sun disappeared and darkness descended, almost like night. Flocks of marsh crows flew by, heading inland to their roosting trees, and two egrets, squawking, arose from the oyster-rock shallows and careened away.

What best describes the effect of the imagery used in this excerpt?

It shows the cruelty of the narrator.
It helps the setting come alive.
It reveals the fact that Doodle is tired.
It tells the reader that Doodle will die.

The correct answer is: It helps the setting come alive.

The effect of the imagery used in this excerpt is that it helps the setting come alive. The descriptive language paints a vivid picture of the storm approaching, with black clouds, lightning, thunder, and darkness descending. The mention of flocks of marsh crows and egrets adds to the sensory experience, creating a vivid and engaging setting for the reader. There is no information in the excerpt to suggest that the imagery reveals the cruelty of the narrator, that Doodle is tired, or that Doodle will die.

The best description for the effect of the imagery used in this excerpt is that it helps the setting come alive. The author's use of vivid descriptions, such as black clouds gathering, lightning playing across the sky, thunder roaring, the sun disappearing, darkness descending, flocks of marsh crows flying, and egrets squawking, creates a strong and vivid portrayal of the setting. These descriptive details bring the scene to life and immerse the reader in the atmosphere of the story.