Question

read these lines from passage 3.
\when he moves more like light
than the penumbra of what
once was man.\ (lines 6–8)
the word \penumbra\ comes from the latin words paene, meaning \almost,\ and umbra, meaning \shadow.\ based on this information, what does penumbra mean as it is used in the passage?
options (partial):

• the man casts a shadow.
• the figure is the shadow of a man.
• the shadows lurk outside of the school.
• the lights in the school create shadows.

Explanation:

To determine the meaning of "penumbra", we use the Latin roots: paene (almost) and umbra (shadow). So "penumbra" means a partial or "almost - shadow". The line says the figure is more like light than the penumbra of what was man, implying the figure is the shadow - like (penumbra - related) remnant of a man. Option B ("The figure is the shadow of a man") fits this. Other options don't relate to the word's etymology - based meaning in the passage.

Answer:

B. The figure is the shadow of a man