The kind hand of winter had erased every trace of the landscape that Joe knew so well and disliked so deeply, removing all evidence of its barren and unpleasant scenery, softening the sharp edges of fences and rooftops. Through the thoughtful intervention of winter, his world had
been transformed. Suddenly, he felt less of an outsider. Welcomed by the cordial embrace of brilliant white snowdrifts, winter adorned the sparse
trees, houses, and roadways with her familiar clothing.
What is the effect of personifying winter in the passage?
1. Winter reveals the most unwelcome aspects of Joe's environment.
O 2. Joe understands that winter is the great magician who controls his life.
O 3. Winter causes Joe uneasiness because the setting differs so dramatically,
O 4. joe receives winter as a friend who makes his surroundings feel comfortable,

i believe the answer is perspective

b. legendary founder of thebes

21 balloons is the story of professor william sherman's travels.

in 1883, he set off from san francisco for a balloon ride over the pacific and was found a month later floating with 21 balloons in the atlantic ocean. this seemed an astounding feat and everyone wanted to know what had happened.    

professor sherman was loyal, however, and said he would tell his tale first to the western american explorers club in san francisco, of which he was a member. this built up suspense for several chapters before he began to tell of the wonders of his adventures and the amazing island of krakatoa, an island which had just been blown up by a volcano.  

the residents of krakatoa are all millionaires who live under a "gourmet government" of their own devising. we get to see all the incredible adventures that creative people with unlimited resources would create according to the author.