Word choice - Basking Shark

Question 1

Slounge

Answer 1

1. is a neologism which combines the words ‘slouch’ and ‘lounge’
2. These words have connotations of casual or lazy, which suggests the bulky shark is moving slowly and lacks elegance.

Question 2

Shoggled

Answer 2

1. is a colloquialism which has connotations of being shaken
2. This suggests that, not only is MacCaig’s boat rocked by the movement of the shark but also that his mind is troubled and lots of thoughts swirl in his mind.

Question 3

Swish

Answer 3

1. has connotations of quick, swirling movement
2. this suggests that MacCaig’s mind is full of different thoughts about evolution that he is struggling to make sense of during the encounter with the shark.

Question 4

Pale

Answer 4

1. has connotations of ashen and drained of colour,
2. this suggests MacCaig is shocked by his discovery.
3. He is troubled by his realisation that humans are the destructive species on this planet, whereas the shark he encounters is not harmful.