Question

Which piece of evidence from paragraph best reveals Diaz’s constant fear?

My first real beat-down, and I was furious and ashamed, but above all else I was afraid. Afraid of my assailants. Afraid they would corner me again. Afraid of a second beat-down. Afraid and afraid and afraid. Eventually the bruises and the rage faded, but not the fear. The fear remained. An awful withering dread that coiled around my bowels -- that followed me into my dreams. (‘‘Hit him in the teeth. ’’) I guess I should have told someone, but I was too humiliated. And besides, my No. 1 confidant, my brother, wasn’t available.

1. "I guess I should have told someone, but I was too humiliated. "
2. "My first real beat-down, and I was furious and ashamed, but above all else I was afraid. "
3. "Afraid of my assailants. Afraid they would corner me again. "
4. "An awful withering dread that coiled around my bowels — that followed me into my dreams. "

Answer 1

The piece of evidence from the paragraph that best reveals Diaz's constant fear is 4. "An awful withering dread that coiled around my bowels — that followed me into my dreams." This description shows that the fear Diaz experienced was intense and persistent, as it not only affected him during his waking hours but also followed him into his dreams. The use of vivid language, such as "awful withering dread" and "coiled around my bowels," emphasizes the profound impact the fear had on Diaz's emotional and psychological state.