But the wind beat it against the mast until it was torn into shreds. the wind pushed the sea into great mountains of water; it tore the oars from the men's hands and flung them into the sea; and finally, it snapped the mast, then ripped the rudder away from the boat. what does the author’s use of strong words the reader imagine? a. storm clouds forming b. an angry, active storm c. a storm that is dying out d. the calm after a storm