Question

1. every fish that hit me was like an arrow entering my flesh. i clutched at a blanket to protect myself while also trying to catch some of the fish. i received cuts and bruises all over my body. the reason for this onslaught became evident immediately: dorados were leaping out of the water in hot pursuit of them. the much larger dorados couldnt match their flying, but they were faster swimmers and their short lunges were very powerful.

what is the meaning of onslaught as used in the sentence?
a) an abrasive touch
b) a peaceful retreat
c) a fierce attack
d) a slow movement

1. i unwrapped the fish carefully, keeping a hand pressed down on it, fully aware that it would try to jump away to save itself. the closer the fish was to appearing, the more afraid and disgusted i became. its head came into sight. the way i was holding it, it looked like a scoop of loathsome fish ice cream sticking out of a wool blanket cone.

what is the meaning of loathsome, based on the context of the excerpt?
a) delicious and tempting
b) revolting and repulsive
c) minute and small
d) hateful and contemptible

1. several times i started bringing the hatchet down, but i couldnt complete the action. such sentimentalism may seem ridiculous considering what i had witnessed in the last days, but those were the deeds of others, of predatory animals.

what is the meaning of sentimentalism, as used in the excerpt?
a) harsh judgment
b) excessive emotional attachment
c) careful reasoning
d) bold bravery

1. the more i pressed, the more the fish struggled. i imagined what it would feel like if i were wrapped in a blanket and someone were trying to break my neck. i was appalled.

what is the meaning of appalled, as used in the excerpt?
a) excited and joyful

Explanation:

1. In the first passage, "onslaught" is used to describe a powerful and forceful attack by fish hitting the person, so it means a fierce attack.
2. For "loathsome", the context shows the person is afraid and disgusted by the fish, so it means revolting and repulsive.
3. "Sentimentalism" here refers to the person's inability to complete an action (bringing down the hatchet) due to excessive emotional attachment considering the circumstances.
4. "Appalled" in the context implies being horrified or deeply shocked at the thought of the fish's struggle and the imagined situation.

Answer:

1. C. A fierce attack
2. B. Revolting and repulsive
3. B. Excessive emotional attachment
4. (Options are incomplete, but based on context it should be a negative - emotion related option like horrified or shocked)