Using the formula:

Which is, 3.14 x 2^2 (radius is half of diameter)
Which equals 12.56.
The verb "looks" would be in this case a linking verb, since it is helping the reader understand the point of view of the observer. The weather itself is of course not "looking" anywhere.
Answer:
The answer is option A:
Alvarez grappled with the issue of writing a novel about a dangerous subject.
As we can see, she is clearly in conflict between doing the right thing for the world by writing about a serious subject, and doing the right thing for her family by not mentioning something that frightens them. Therefore, the best option to answer the question is the first one: Alvarez grappled with the issue of writing a novel about a dangerous subject.