When garnishing the apple pie for , i "add[ed] a sprinkle of cinnamon to the crust" just like the recipe suggested. why did the writer add brackets to the sample sentence?
a. brackets set off the key word in the sentence.
b. brackets take up the least amount of space.
c. commas would work better in this sentence.
d. brackets allow the writer to change the verb tense of "add" so that it is consistent with the other verb tense in the sentence.

Read this passage: byron and mitch are co-captains of the mathletes, their high school's academic team. they are backstage with the five other team members, preparing to compete in the state math quiz. byron sits on the floor with his eyes closed and his earbuds in, listening to classical jazz, which him focus his mind and energy. suddenly, he feels a presence beside him. he opens his eyes to see mitch staring at him. "mathletes! mathletes! " mitch chants loudly. mitch gives byron a thumbs-up and then proceeds to strut around like a peacock, high-fiving the other team members, as byron shuts his eyes again and does his best to refocus his mind which statement best summarizes the passage?