Directions: Read the passage and answer the question
The ancient forest stood in solemn majesty, its towering trees reaching towards the sky like ancient sentinels guarding a sacred realm. Shafts of golden sunlight pierced through the dense canopy, illuminating the forest floor in dappled patterns of light and shadow. A chorus of bird songs and rustling leaves filled the air, creating a symphony of nature's own composition.
As he ventured deeper into the heart of the forest, the ground beneath his feet grew soft with a carpet of moss and fallen leaves. The scent of earth and decaying foliage mingled with the sweet perfume of wildflowers. Every step seemed to echo with the whispers of centuries past, as if the very essence of the forest had seeped into the soil.
He came upon a small clearing, a sanctuary within the ancient woods. At its centre, a crystal-clear stream murmured its eternal song, its waters glistening in the gentle light. The air was alive with the hum of insects and the occasional flutter of butterfly wings. It was a place untouched by the passage of time, where the natural world held sway in uninterrupted harmony.
As he sat beside the stream, a profound sense of tranquillity settled over him. In this sanctuary of nature, he felt a profound connection to something greater than himself. The ancient forest, with its towering trees and hidden wonders, whispered secrets of a world untouched by the hands of man.
Question:
What might be the emotional state of the protagonist as he enters the ancient forest?
Overwhelmed by a sense of foreboding and unease.
Filled with a deep sense of reverence and awe.
Anxious and apprehensive about the unfamiliar surroundings.
Disconnected and disinterested in the natural surroundings.
The description of the ancient forest with its majestic trees and natural beauty suggests that the protagonist is likely filled with a sense of reverence and awe.