Question

you may be astonished that in such a short period of time i could go from weeping over the muffled killing of a flying fish to gleefully bludgeoning to death a dorado. i could explain it by arguing that profiting from a pitiful flying fishs navigational mistake made me shy and sorrowful, while the excitement of actively capturing a great dorado made me sanguinary and self - assured. but in point of fact the explanation lies elsewhere. it is simple and brutal: a person can get used to anything, even to killing. 19. what is the meaning of gleefully, as used in the excerpt? a) sadly b) joyfully c) cautiously d) angrily 20. “you may be astonished that in such a short period of time i could go from weeping over the muffled killing of a flying fish to gleefully bludgeoning to death a dorado.” select the phrase that helps you figure out the meaning of the word bludgeoning? a) “a person can get used to anything, even to killing.” b) “me me shy and sorrowful” c) “the excitement of actively capturing” d) “it is simple and brutal” 21. “i swung my arm and dropped the dorado into the boat. it landed with a heavy thud and provoked a gruff expression of surprise from richard parker.” what is the meaning of provoked, as used in the excerpt? a) calmed b) stirred up or caused c) ignored d) stopped 22. “i was tired, but still excited by the events of the last hours. the feeling of busyness was profoundly satisfying; i hadnt thought at all about my plight or myself.” what is the meaning of profoundly, as used in the excerpt? a) deeply b) lightly c) barely d) briefly

Explanation:

1. "Gleefully" means in a joyful way. Among the options, "Joyfully" is the closest in meaning.
2. The phrase "It is simple and brutal" helps to understand that "bludgeoning" is a violent and rough - type of killing.
3. "Provoked" means to stir up or cause a reaction. Here, the action of dropping the dorado caused a gruff expression from Richard Parker.
4. "Profoundly" means deeply. The feeling of busyness was deeply satisfying.

Answer:

1. B. Joyfully
2. D. "It is simple and brutal"
3. B. Stirred up or caused
4. A. Deeply