... is the illustration which serves to persuasively sustain the interest of the readers in a literary piece

Analyze the question: The question asks for the literary element that persuasively sustains the readers' interest in a piece of writing, keeping them engaged and wanting to know what happens next.

Explain the concepts:

• Storyline: The basic outline or sequence of events in a story. It tells what happens, but it does not specifically work to hold attention.
• Narrative hook: An opening device that grabs the reader's attention at the beginning. It starts interest, but it does not sustain it throughout the piece.
• Plot: The organized arrangement of events, built on cause and effect (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution). It is the structure, not the specific technique that keeps readers hooked.
• Suspense: The tension, anxiety or uncertainty a writer builds about what will happen next, particularly about the outcome of events. It keeps readers eager to continue reading until the issue is resolved.

Step-by-step solution:

1. The key words are "sustain the interest of the readers". "Sustain" means to keep going throughout the work, not just to start it.
2. This rules out narrative hook (B), which is mainly about the opening.
3. Storyline (A) and plot (C) describe the events and their arrangement, not the effect of holding the reader's curiosity.
4. Suspense (D) is the device that keeps readers curious and anxious about what comes next, so they stay engaged to the end.

Answer: D. suspense

Exam tip: Match the key verb to the term:

• Starts attention → hook
• Arranges events → plot
• Keeps readers anxious and curious → suspense

Whenever you see "sustain interest" or "keep the reader wanting more" in a Literature question, think suspense.