Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. ~ralph waldo emerson. what does it mean?

Which of the following words in bold means “to put before something else”? a) the broken device sat unused in a box. b) jose wanted to defermaking a decision about college until the spring. c) ashok’s counsel was to go to the store tomorrow. d) i would prefer to go to a movie this weekend instead of the play.

The wind skittered playfully along the pathway, drawing leaves and bits of flowers along with it. which word gives the passage a cheerful mood?

What is the reasoning in this argument?