The following text is from Charlotte Forten Grimké's 1888 poem "At Newport." Oh, deep delight to watch the gladsome waves Exultant leap upon the rugged rocks; Ever repulsed, yet ever rushing on- Filled with a life that will not know defeat; To see the glorious hues of sky and sea. The distant snowy sails glide spirit like, Into an unknown world to feel the sweet Enchantment of the sea thrill all the soul, Clearing the clouded brain making the heart Leap joyous as it own bright, singing waves! Mark for Review Which choice best describes the function of the underlined portion in the text as a whole? A It portrays the surroundings as an imposing and intimidating scene. B It characterizes the sea's waves as a relentless and enduring force. C ) It conveys the speaker's ambivalence about the natural world. D It draws a contrast between the sea's waves and the speaker's thoughts.

## Step 1<br />The problem is asking us to determine the function of the underlined portion in the text as a whole. The underlined portion is "Ever repulsed, yet ever rushing on- Filled with a life that will not know defeat;". <br /><br />## Step 2<br />We need to analyze the underlined portion and compare it with the given options. The underlined portion describes the sea's waves as always being repulsed yet always rushing on, filled with a life that will not know defeat. This description is a portrayal of the sea's waves as a relentless and enduring force.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />Now, let's compare this with the given options. Option A suggests that the underlined portion portrays the surroundings as an imposing and intimidating scene. However, the underlined portion does not describe the surroundings as imposing or intimidating, but rather as a relentless and enduring force.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />Option B suggests that the underlined portion characterizes the sea's waves as a relentless and enduring force. This aligns with our analysis of the underlined portion.<br /><br />## Step 5<br />Option C suggests that the underlined portion conveys the speaker's ambivalence about the natural world. However, the underlined portion does not express any ambivalence, but rather a clear admiration for the sea's waves.<br /><br />## Step 6<br />Option D suggests that the underlined portion draws a contrast between the sea's waves and the speaker's thoughts. However, the underlined portion does not draw any contrast, but rather describes the sea's waves.