' He was terrified, for
he had never expected to find empty space underneath the world.
But his wife was filled with curiosity.'
As you know, water evaporates in heat, and tropical places are usually very hot! Tropical implies "ocean" so, when an ocean evaporates it leaves a sandy ocean floor, which is a desert, but there are lake sized "puddles" of salt water left over, which is why there is a big salt water lake in the middle of Utah.
I'd say the best option is "representation of reality itself" considering it is art and literature of making real life out of the play or writings.
She had the responsibility for the project last month?