12. ...but as he drove his lance point into the sail the wind whirled it round with such force that it shivered the lance to pieces, sweeping with it horse and rider, who went rolling over on the plain, in a sorry condition.' Which definition matches the use of the word 'shivered' in the excerpt?
Answer: A
shivered means splintered in this context.
In the excerpt, the word 'shivered' refers to the action of the lance breaking into pieces upon impact with the windmill's sail. This aligns closely with the definition of splintered, indicating that the lance was shattered into smaller parts.
A) splintered
This option is correct as it accurately describes the action of the lance breaking into fragments when it struck the sail of the windmill. The context illustrates that the force of the wind caused the lance to break apart, which is synonymous with splintering.
B) stuck
This option is incorrect because 'stuck' suggests that the lance became lodged in the sail or did not move, which contradicts the description of the lance shattering. The excerpt clearly indicates that the lance was damaged rather than getting caught.
C) swung
This option is also incorrect as 'swung' implies a motion of moving back and forth, which does not align with the context of the lance breaking. The excerpt focuses on the aftermath of the impact rather than any swinging motion.
D) surrendered
This option is incorrect as well, as 'surrendered' denotes giving up or yielding, which is not relevant to the action of the lance. The excerpt describes a physical breakage rather than any concept of yielding or surrender.
Conclusion
The definition of 'shivered' in the context of the excerpt is best captured by the term splintered, as it conveys the idea of the lance breaking into pieces. Other options fail to accurately represent the action described, highlighting the significant impact of the wind on the lance and the resulting damage.