Question

read the excerpt from paragraph 5 of \how theseus lifted the stone.\ and theseus went into the thicket, and stood over the stone, and tugged at it; and it moved. then his spirit swelled within him, and he said, if i break my heart in my body, it shall up. and he tugged at it once more, and lifted it, and rolled it over with a shout. which word reflects the same connotative meaning as the word swelled in the sentence? a. expanded b. inflated c. developed d. strengthened

Explanation:

To determine the word with the same connotative meaning as "swelled" in the context, we analyze each option:

• "Expanded" generally refers to physical or spatial growth, not matching the emotional/energetic swell of spirit.
• "Inflated" often has a negative connotation (e.g., inflated ego) or refers to filling with air, not matching the positive, energetic swell here.
• "Developed" implies a gradual growth or progress, not the sudden, intense rise in spirit described.
• "Strengthened" aligns with the idea of his spirit growing in power/resolve, matching the connotation of "swelled" (his spirit swelled with determination to lift the stone, so it strengthened).

Answer:

D. strengthened