Based on its use in this sentence, what is the connotative meaning of the word stagnant?

john, an aspiring actor, was criticized at his last audition for being stagnant and uninteresting.
still
quiet
standoffish
lifeless

Which sentence contains a correctly used participial phrase? a) camping by the lakeside, the cries of geese kept me awake. b) after brushing on another stroke of fiery crimson, the canvas looked complete. c) peering through the rain spattered window, the scenery appeared lush and verdant. d) kicking the ball into the upper left hand corner of the goal, the striker scored the winning goal.