Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her word choice?
Skiing is the most exhilarating sport in the world. I learned to ski when I was three years old and started to ski competitively when I was nine. The beginning of a ski race is the most tense. I hear the sound of the start gates opening and feel the air as I start down the course. Then I am rushing down the hill. When the finish line is in sight, I push myself harder. When I win, I feel triumphant!

 - by including more figurative language
 - by using words with more appropriate connotations
 - by fixing misused words
The writer could best improve his or her word choice by including more figurative language.
For example, the writer could make the writing more vivid and engaging by replacing the underlined phrases with these figurative expressions: buzzes with intensity, the thud of, feel the wind like a smack in the face, flying down the hill like a hawk, and rev my engines.
Skiing is the most exhilarating sport in the world. I learned to ski when I was three years old and started to ski competitively when I was nine. The beginning of a ski race is the most tense. I hear the sound of the start gates opening and feel the air as I start down the course. Then I am rushing down the hill. When the finish line is in sight, I push myself harder. When I win, I feel triumphant!