Question

[Mr. Stonecrop] draped his arm around Turner's shoulders and drew him in, into his strength and power and presence. Turner felt as if he were moving in close to a mountain. But when he looked up into Mr. Stonecrop's face, he shuddered. Mr. Stonecrop was laughing, and his mouth was pulled into a grin, but his eyes were as dead as marbles, almost as if there were nothing behind them. He was like someone out of a ghost story, and Turner tried to draw away.

In this excerpt, Mr. Stonecrop is compared to a mountain. How does this description relate to Mr Stonecrop’s role in the main conflict of the story?

Mr. Stonecrop, like a mountain, is a fair and wise man whom others look up to for leadership about Malaga Island.
Mr. Stonecrop, like a mountain, is intimidating and strongly holds his position against the people of Malaga Island.
Mr. Stonecrop, like a mountain, changes with the seasons, and he changes his mind about the people of Malaga Island.
Mr. Stonecrop, like a mountain, is an elderly man who lets others decide what is best in reference to Malaga Island.

Answer 1

Answer: Mr. Stonecrop, like a mountain, is intimidating and strongly holds his position against the people of Malaga Island.

Explanation: The mountain image emphasizes his solidity, power, and immovability—Turner is drawn into his "strength and power and presence." The follow‑up detail (the grin with "dead" eyes) makes him seem cold and threatening rather than kindly, which supports the idea that he is a forceful, uncompromising figure in the story’s conflict over Malaga Island.