Analyzing Vocabulary in Context

In the context of "Their Eyes Were Watching God," the term "pugnacious" most likely describes a character who is:

• Eager to avoid conflict

• Quick to argue or fight

• Extremely cautious

• Interested in making peace

When the narrative describes Janie's hair as "a great rope of black hair swinging to her waist and unraveling in the wind like a plume," this use of imagery primarily serves to:

• Emphasize her strength and independence

• Highlight her vanity and concern with appearances

• Illustrate her connection with nature and freedom

• Show her defiance of societal norms

The phrase "speaking pieces" in the context of the novel most closely means:

• Arguing in a formal setting

• Performing a scripted dialogue or monologue

• Casual conversation among friends

• Negotiating in a business transaction

When characters in the novel refer to the horizon, it symbolizes:

• The physical landscape of Eatonville

• The boundary between earth and sky

• Their hopes, dreams, and the possibilities of life

• The end of a long journey

The use of the word "mien" to describe Joe Starks conveys an impression of his:

• Financial status

• Physical strength

• Demeanor and appearance

• Intellectual capabilities

In the novel, the metaphor of Janie's tree blooming is used to symbolize her:

• Aging process

• Growth in personal strength and self-awareness

• Declining health

• Desire to leave Eatonville

The word "insinuating" as used to describe certain conversations in the novel most closely means:

• Direct and to the point

• Suggesting or hinting at something indirectly

• Loud and clear

• Confusing and unclear

When the author describes the sun as "the great fire that the sun fires against the earth," this example of personification serves to:

• Show the sun as a destructive force

• Highlight the warmth and life-giving properties of the sun

• Illustrate the sun's power and dominance in nature

• Portray the sun as an enemy of the earth

The description of Janie's speech as "a flute for the wind to play" employs which literary device?

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

• Onomatopoeia

In the novel, the concept of "the pear tree" primarily symbolizes:

• The dangers of nature

• Janie's aspirations and vision of love

• The bitterness of unfulfilled dreams

• The cycle of life and death