Read the following description.
the canoe glided along the placid surface of the river like a
leaf that had fallen from one of the many fluffy maples that
stood timidly on the shore
what is most likely the intent of the author's word choice in this sentence?
a. to depict nature as peaceful
b. to portray the trees as characters
c. to contrast the trees and the river
d. to describe where the trees are

A. To depict nature as peaceful

Explanation:

The evidence to support this answer would be the pieces of the description such as the 'placid river', 'fluffy maples', and 'stood timidly'. All of these evoke a sense of peace, serenity, and calm in the reader.

While personification (making the trees into characters) is present when the imagery of them 'standing timidly' is given, the more correct answer is A because there is both more evidence to support it, and it encompasses the entire passage compared to a single line.