"Mr. Carroll, do you know of any jobs we could do after school?" asked Fred.
Answer: hungry
Explanation: to be famished means to be hungry not A) sleepy, C) happy, or D) cold
By 'author of the essay reading Shakespeare' do you mean us readers?
As, I'm currently doing right try and read classical novels like 'How to kill a mockingbird'. There's no need to rush if it's the first time reading, the more you read (or few of classicals) you will kind off get what the author is making the character speaking. Also understanding the aspect of the story. :)