If a passage alternates between past and present tense to describe memories, what does this reveal about its structure?

• A. A nonlinear structure that juxtaposes memory with current events.
• B. A linear chronological progression from start to finish.
• C. A technical description of tense usage.
• D. A narrative voice that remains in past tense throughout.

Answer: (A)

Switching between past and present tense when describing memories signals a nonlinear structure. Past tense marks what happened in the memories, while present tense brings those moments into the current frame, as if they are unfolding again. This back-and-forth weaves memories with the present, rather than guiding the reader through events in a single, chronological sequence. The result is a juxtaposition of memory with current events, which reveals a non-linear narrative approach. It isn’t a simple linear progression, and it isn’t a technical description of tense usage, nor is the voice confined to one tense throughout. The alternating tenses themselves define how the story is organized and how memory informs the present moment.