Prospect of Gold. Writer's Craft

a) the road and its surroundings in paragraph 3

Roars echoing from side to side - This phrase is talking about the noises that came from all sides. The noise was just as if a lion was scolding.

Turquoise river writhed and frothed - This phrase tells us that there were twisting movements taking place by the river, which was as blue as the aqueous copper sulphate. The word 'writhed' is used as a personification. 'Froth' means that there was a mask of tiny bubbles surrounding the river.

Thrown out into a void - This phrase means that people sitting in the car were pushed towards the other side during the sharp road turns. This phrase exaggerates the conditions of the car being inert.

b) the effect on the writer of panning for gold in paragraph 6

A kaleidoscope of fragmented fantasies - This is a phrase which refers to money which is imagined by the person in the story. A kaleidoscope is an instrument that is used to make new designs. If we put a piece inside it, we can see different designs. These designs change when you move the pieces. This instrument is made up of glasses. This phrase tells the reader that the person in the story was continuously imaging the amount of money he would have after searching for gold in his mind. The writer is comparing the thoughts in his mind with the kaleidoscope.