What does Gulliver do with his penknife?

The choice regarding Gulliver cutting the strings binding the ringleaders highlights a key moment in the narrative where Gulliver utilizes his resourcefulness to interface with the Lilliputians' power dynamics. By cutting the strings, he effectively frees the leaders, which underscores his role as a figure of liberation and highlights the themes of power and authority present in the story. This act also serves to demonstrate Gulliver's moral considerations and his influence on the political landscape of Lilliput, fostering goodwill among the inhabitants as he asserts his own individual agency within their society.

The other options, while potentially plausible actions for Gulliver, do not capture this pivotal moment of intervention and liberation that is crucial to the development of the plot and Gulliver's character.