The big-named runners took off at a sprinter’s speed, but James began at his own pace and kept that same pace lap after lap around the track. In short time, the leaders began to drop out from exhaustion and James began to slowly catch up and pass the leaders before the finish line. He won the Olympic gold medal by a nose. The paradox in the passage can best be stated

a
Winners start fast
b
The best things come as a surprise
c
Where you start is where you end
d
Slow and steady wins in the end

D. Slow and steady wins in the end .

Explanation:

The paradox in the passage is best stated by option D. Instead of starting fast, James began the race slowly and kept going at the same pace until the end, when everyone became exhausted and began slowing down. That's when he sped up and ended up winning the race.  

Slow and steady wins the race is also the morale of a well-known story The Tortoise and the Hare, where the tortoise beats the hare in the race.

in the quotation from passage, connie willis states that literature is a way for authors from the past to communicate with readers of today. we can read their stories, books, and other texts to learn lessons about life. willis refers to these lessons as messages “from beyond the grave.” willis has a favorable viewpoint about the timelessness of literature.

actually the answer would be c.) jane addams worked hard to improve the lives of less fortunate people.