In the following passage some of the words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives.

A young man walks toward me with a stick slung across his back and a (1)______ of sheep at his feet, which carry him down the path (2)_____ a crowd of rowdy children. An older man follows, weatherworn but still (3)____, a rifle over his left shoulder. He clicks his tongue to (4)_____ the flock. Behind him are two women on horses; I guess (5)_____ are his wife and daughter.

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 2.

like

In the part of the sentence with the blank -  which carry him down the path _____ a crowd of rowdy children.

The word needed is used to compare two scenes that is the flock of sheep carrying him down and a crowd of rowdy children.

'Like' noun is used to compare and connect two similar phrases. Thus, it is the most appropriate option.

The complete sentence becomes A young man walks toward me with a stick slung across his back and a flock of sheep at his feet, which carry him down the path like a crowd of rowdy children.