Free verse is best described as —
a. poetry written without regular rhyme schemes and meter
b. words and expressions not meant to be taken literally
c. clues that hint at what will happen later on in the poem
d. exaggeration used for a literary effect such as emphasis, drama, or humor

answer: c.   like someone who knows how to behave in public

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: