Steadily, inevitably came a brilliant line, came a thin edge of intolerable effulgence that took a circular shape, became a bow, became a blazing sceptre, and hurled a shaft of heat at us as though it was a spear. how does the author’s choice of words affect the reader’s view of outer space? a.)the negative connotation of the words in the passage signals the danger that the characters face. b.)the positive connotation of the words in the passage causes the reader to view the moon with awe. c.)the positive connotation of the words in the passage implies that the men will experience an adventure on the moon. d.)the author uses a pattern of jumbled thoughts to express the confusion mr. bedford feels as he observes the sun.

To answer this question, it would be helpful first to eliminate one or more of the choices. It would also help to know exactly when this line appears in the story.

First, this line appears as the characters witness the sunrise. The sun, viewed from the moon instead of the Earth, is so bright that it seemed "to stab" the narrator's eyes. Therefore, answer B. can be eliminated, as the words in the passage are describing the sun, not the moon, with awe.

Answer C. is not a good choice because these words (effulgence, blazing, sceptre) do not necessarily hint that an adventure is in their future. 

Answer D works, because these lines mimic the confusion Bedford feels as he witnesses the sunrise. The sun is so bright it blinds Bedford and leaves him stumbling about. In the wake of the sunrise, the men are thrown into confusion by the sun's blinding effulgence. However, this line does not necessarily affect the reader's view of outer space as outlined in the question.

Now, look at what is happening with the sunrise. The sun is doing more than rising. The author describes the sunrise as a ray that becomes a spear and hurtles at them. This metaphoric description turns a passive ray of light into a weapon. Therefore, answer A best clues the reader into the fact that the characters are in great danger on the moon -- as they are about to experience firsthand.