All the characters from "The Untiming of Ben and Ruby" articles from achieve3000

the word that best matches the meaning of the expression "went to the big ocean" is died.

the goldfish died, which is why the father looks at the children mournfully. the "big ocean" is the father's way of saying fish heaven. he could have just said that the goldfish died, but this way, the children imagine the fish in a bigger, better place instead of just picturing a dead fish.

explanation:

i'm not sure what the second paragraph is but a decree is an official order issued by legal authority. find the one that best fits this definition.

i have no idea buudy for the points tho

d. it compares the speaker reflection to a predatory bird that haunts the speaker