What are some substitutes for the word "said"

Read the thesis statement below and answer the question that follows. the life of the typical college student is characterized by time spent in many different areas. how can this thesis statement be improved?

Which of the following statements would most encourage productive conflict? select all that apply.

London includes a quote about john thornton as he is observing hal attempt to motivate the exhausted dogs "it was idle, he knew, to get between a fool and his folly". if the word "idle" is defined as "of no real worth, importance, or significance", what does this statement mean with regard to hal? who is the fool? what is hal's folly? why would john thornton think it of no real worth or useless to intervene?