Alexander Fleming had no idea on the morning of September 28, 1928, that he was
about to save millions of lives. Returning to his lab after vacation, Fleming began sorting
through his experiments. He discovered that mold had invaded a culture dish in which
colonies of Staphylococcus bacteria were growing. The area adjacent to the mold was
clear; the mold had prevented bacterial growth. That serendipitous accident led to the
development of the antibiotic penicillin. It was fourteen years before penicillin was used
on a patient, but its potential was quickly realized. It was among the most significant
medical discoveries in history, for which Fleming was awarded the Nobel prize.
Which fictional technique used in this passage helps the reader comprehend the
importance of the subject?
Extreme exaggeration is used throughout the passage, which identifies it as opinion rather than fact.
A dramatic statement is used in the first sentence to grab readers' attention for the story that follows.
Including personal details about Fleming helps set the scene for the surprise that concludes the passage.