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In the following excerpt from a novel, the narrator describes a character's emotional state. \"My mind has been a whirlwind. I've been trying to understand what happened, but everything is so jumbled. I feel like I'm drowning in a sea of confusion.\" What is the most likely purpose of the phrase \"drowning in a sea of confusion\"?

SAT · English · previous-year question

  1. A.highlight the narrator's feelings of frustration and helplessness.correct
  2. B.provide a literal description of the narrator's physical surroundings.
  3. C.suggest that the narrator is in danger of losing consciousness.
  4. D.emphasize the narrator's sense of excitement and anticipation.

Answer

A. highlight the narrator's feelings of frustration and helplessness.

Explanation

The metaphor "drowning in a sea of confusion" suggests that the narrator is overwhelmed by their confusion and unable to cope with the situation. This conveys a sense of frustration and helplessness.

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