Question: Using the passage below from the text, how is the meaning of this passage impacted by the word choice of the author?
"The undertow was like a string pulling him, and he was as useless as a wooden puppet to stop it. The impact of his stubborn refusal to listen to his sister was becoming more and more clear to him as the shoreline looked further and further away. His false confidence left him, and terror seized him."
The two phrases "useless as a wooden puppet" a "like a string pulling him" demonstrate that Gerard does not really put forth much effort to get out of the undertow.
The two phrases "useless as a wooden puppet" a "like a string pulling him" demonstrate that Gerard was not at fault to be in this situation.
The two phrases "false confidence" a "stubborn refusal" demonstrate that Gerard is in this situation due to his overconfident attitude.
The two phrases "false confidence" a "stubborn refusal" demonstrate that Gerard is overconfident due to praise from his family and friends.
The correct answer is: The two phrases "false confidence" a "stubborn refusal" demonstrate that Gerard is in this situation due to his overconfident attitude.
The word choice of "false confidence" and "stubborn refusal" conveys that Gerard's stubbornness and arrogance are the reasons for his predicament. The author's choice of words highlights Gerard's character flaws and how they have led to his current dangerous situation in the undertow.