Final answer:
The missing word in the sentence is likely 'teeth,' indicating violent shaking which is used in literature to depict intensity. This kind of analysis is common in high school English classes focusing on literary interpretation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passage in question depicts a situation where a large woman picks up a boy by his shirt and shakes him violently. While the sentence is incomplete, the missing word most likely is 'teeth,' implying that the shake was so forceful that his teeth rattled. Such descriptions are typically used to express the intensity of an action and its physical effect on a character within a narrative. It serves to convey the emotional turmoil or physical vigor present in the scene.
These excerpts often come from literary texts that students analyze in English classes. In these classes, students engage in close reading, analyzing imagery, and interpreting literary devices - skills vital for understanding and appreciating literature at a high school level.