Answer
1. The passage does not provide enough information to determine why early morning was Yong's favorite time of day.
2. Swallow, immerse, consume.
3. Blue: navy, cobalt, sky, baby, teal. Green: olive, lime, emerald, mint, sage.
4. 'Plodding' suggests slow, heavy, and laborious movement.
5. The people were likely feeling shocked and unable to believe what they were seeing.