Question

Read the passage.

Amit's thoughts were a river rushing over boulders, waves crashing into each other as they all came tumbling downstream. He wished that Tamar had never told him her secret.

What is the most likely meaning of the metaphor in this sentence?

Amit is a quick thinker, fast to come up with an answer.
Amit's thoughts are confused and contradictory.
Amit is a strong swimmer, and he is thinking of rivers.
Amit's thoughts come smoothly like water flowing in a river.

Answer 1

Amit's thoughts are confused and contradictory.

The image of a river "rushing over boulders" with "waves crashing into each other" and "tumbling downstream" suggests turbulence and chaos — his mind is overwhelmed and unsettled, not calm, smooth, or literally about swimming.