When the guide calls colin a "brilliant history scholar," he means
1) to suggest that colin is not very bright
2) to colin for his comments
3) to compare colin to the others
4) to take colin down a notch

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:

his humble attitude made it easy for everyone to like him

the second sentance should look more like this: the doughnuts we bought were the best we had ever tasted.