Question: What evidence in the text most effectively supports the inference that Gerard overestimated his readiness for ocean swimming?
He quickly let his boogie board go and tried to paddle for the shore.
Gerard tagged along behind her, struggling to carry his boogie board in his small, six-year-old arms.
His false confidence left him, and terror seized him.
With a panicked scream, Anna threw her shells to the ground and ran for the water.
The evidence in the text that most effectively supports the inference that Gerard overestimated his readiness for ocean swimming is:
"His false confidence left him, and terror seized him."
This phrase indicates that Gerard was not as prepared or confident as he initially thought and that he was overcome with fear when faced with the actual swimming situation in the ocean. This suggests that he may have overestimated his abilities or readiness for ocean swimming.