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The following text is from Jhumpa Lahiri’s 2003 novel The Namesake. Gogol, a child, is at a beach in Massachusetts with his father.
On the beach Gogol collects rocks, digs tunnels in the sand. He and his father wander barefoot, their pant legs rolled halfway up their calves.
©2003 by Jhumpa Lahiri
As used in the text, what does the word “collects” most nearly mean?
Explanation
Choice D is the best answer because as used in the text, "collects" most nearly means gathers or accumulates. In the text, Gogol "collects" (or gathers) rocks and digs in the sand while strolling the beach with his father. Thus, "gathers" is the best answer.
Choice A is incorrect because in this context, "increases" would mean expands or inflates, which is not something a child could logically do to rocks. Rather, the text indicates that Gogol "collects" or gathers rocks while strolling the beach with his father. Choice B is incorrect because in this context, "makes" would suggest that Gogol is creating or manufacturing rocks, which doesn’t make sense. Rather, the text indicates that Gogol "collects" or gathers rocks while strolling the beach with his father. Choice C is incorrect because in this context, "ignores" would mean disregards or avoids, but in the text Gogol "collects rocks," which indicates that he’s engaging with the rocks, not ignoring them.