On the east steps the Air Force Band

in uniforms of Air Force blue

is playing hard and loud, but - queer-

the music doesn't quite come through

How does the use of the dashes before and after the word queer affect the reading fluency of the poem?

a. It emphasizes the strangeness of the contrast

b. It slows the reader down to really emphasize "queer"

C. It makes that word stand out from the others

d. All of the above

The use of the dashes before and after the word queer affect the reading fluency of the poem as

a. It emphasizes the strangeness of the contrast

b. It slows the reader down to really emphasize "queer"

C. It makes that word stand out from the others

Thus, the correct option will be (D) All of the above.

Explanation:

Meaning of 'queer' is strange or odd. First part of the sentence is that uniforms of Air force is blue, and they are marching ahead as the air force band is playing loud and hard music. But, "queer" shows a contrast that though the music is loud, it is not audible or clear enough. So, it emphasizes the strangeness of the contrast. With dash, reader takes a pause and understand the contrast. Also, the word stands out from other words. So, all the given options are correct and answer is Option D.