Question

highlight evidence to support the conclusion that gilgamesh takes risks.
they came within sight of the monsters den.
he was waiting inside it. their blood ran cold.
he saw the two friends, he grimaced, he bared
his teeth, he let out a deafening roar.
he glared at gilgamesh. \young man,\ he said,
\you will never go home. prepare to die.\
dread surged through gilgamesh, terror flooded
his muscles, his heart froze, his mouth went dry,
his legs shook, his feet were rooted to the
ground.
-gilgamesh: a new english translation,
stephen mitchell
which statement best paraphrases evidence from the
passage to support the conclusion?
○ the beast intends to kill gilgamesh and enkidu, but
they are not scared.
○ gilgameshs reaction to humbaba is misunderstood
as fear.
○ humbaba is so terrifying that gilgamesh is
momentarily paralyzed with fear.
○ humbaba speaks as though he is stronger than
gilgamesh, but the reader knows he is not.

Explanation:

First, identify the core conclusion: Gilgamesh takes risks. The passage shows Gilgamesh faces the terrifying Humbaba (who threatens to kill him) despite feeling extreme fear. We need a paraphrase that reflects he is in a risky situation (facing a deadly monster) while acknowledging his fear doesn't stop him, or that the situation is risky. Analyze each option:

1. The first option claims they are not scared, which contradicts the text (Gilgamesh feels dread/terror).
2. The second option says his reaction is misunderstood as fear, but the text explicitly states he feels terror, so this is wrong.
3. The third option correctly paraphrases the evidence of Gilgamesh's intense fear in the face of the deadly Humbaba; being in this terrifying, life-threatening situation shows he is taking a risk by confronting the monster.
4. The fourth option focuses on Humbaba's false strength, which does not support the conclusion that Gilgamesh takes risks.

Answer:

C. Humbaba is so terrifying that Gilgamesh is momentarily paralyzed with fear.