Answer:
As if merely <em><u>subsisting</u></em> according to his self-imposed rules weren’t strenuous enough…
Explanation:
The word "subsist" is a gerund that means sustenance, dependent, survival on one's own. In other words, it means the ability or capacity to support and survive by oneself on a minimal level.
The given line<em> "as if merely subsisting according to his self-imposed rules weren't strenuous enough..."</em> is from Jon Krakauer's "Into the Wild." The lines go like this-
<em>As if merely subsisting according to his self-imposed rules weren't strenuous enough, Rosellini also exercised compulsively whenever he wasn't occupied with foraging. He filled his days with calisthenics, weight lifting, and running, often with a load of rocks on his back. During one apparently typical summer, he reported covering an average of eighteen miles daily.</em>
Thus, the correct word for the blank in the line is "subsisting".
When comparing texts by the writer the similarities and differences conclude about the writing ability of the author. Thus option D is correct.
<h3>What is writing ability?</h3>
The complete question is attached to the image below.
Writing ability is the writer's capability and capacity to produce the content and the text from the phrases and the words that have a meaningful purpose and definition.
It allows the readers to understand the purpose of the topic matter that the author wants readers to understand. The writing ability of the author is evaluated on basis of the similarities and the differences.
It shows the writer's knowledge, and capability to use the topic to write the matter with differences and similarities. It allows the readers to understand that the writer can use correct grammar, characters, topic matter, and expression of the ideas.
Therefore, the similarities or differences tell about the <u>writing ability</u>.
Learn more about writing ability here:
brainly.com/question/12629426
#SPJ1