Read the following line from "Jabberwocky," by Lewis Carroll.

Question

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

Based on context clues, which words could best replace the nonsense words "gimble” and "wabe”?

“swim” and “water”
“walk” and “earth”
“shake” and “wind”
“dance” and “fire”

Answer 1

Based on the context of "Jabberwocky," the best replacement for the nonsense words "gimble" and "wabe" would be “dance” and “earth.”

Here’s the reasoning:

• “gimble” suggests a sort of movement that could be akin to dancing or something playful, which aligns with the idea of "gyre" (to spiral or whirl).
• “wabe” is described in a setting where creatures are moving, hinting at a more general or terrestrial place.

So, "dance" fits with the kind of activity implied by "gimble," and "earth" aligns thematically with the setting implied by "wabe."