\begin{tabular}{l|l} Read the excerpt from chapter 7 of Night. & Which statement best describes the atmosphere the \\ When at last a grayish light appeared on the horizon, it & author creates? \\ revealed a tangle of human shapes, heads sunk deeply & O It is an atmosphere of relief. \\ between the shoulders, crouching, piled one on top of the & It is an atmosphere of hesitation. \\ \( \begin{array}{l}\text { other, like a cemetery covered with snow. In the early } \\ \text { dawn light, I tried to distinguish between the living and } \\ \text { those who were no more. But there was barely a }\end{array} \) & O It is a skeptical atmosphere. \\ difference. My gaze remained fixed on someone who, \\ eyes wide open, stared into space. His colorless iface & It is a nightmarish atmosphere. \\ was covered with a layer of frost and snow. \end{tabular}

To analyze the atmosphere created by the author in the excerpt from chapter 7 of "Night," we can break down the imagery and emotions conveyed in the text. 1. **Imagery of Despair**: The description of "a tangle of human shapes" and "heads sunk deeply between the shoulders" evokes a sense of hopelessness and despair. The comparison to "a cemetery covered with snow" suggests death and stillness, reinforcing a somber mood. 2. **Struggle to Distinguish Life from Death**: The narrator's attempt to "distinguish between the living and those who were no more" indicates a profound sense of loss and confusion. The phrase "there was barely a difference" highlights the bleakness of the situation, where life and death seem indistinguishable. 3. **Frozen Expressions**: The image of a person with "eyes wide open" staring into space, with a "colorless face covered with a layer of frost and snow," adds to the chilling atmosphere. It suggests a state of shock or numbness, further contributing to the nightmarish quality of the scene. Given these points, the atmosphere created by the author can best be described as: **It is a nightmarish atmosphere.** This choice reflects the overwhelming feelings of despair, confusion, and the stark reality of life and death that permeate the excerpt.