Figurative Language Analysis

Examine the following phrase:

"As quick as a flash, he darted through the door, leaving a trail of confusion behind him."

The simile used in this sentence helps to illustrate the character's —

• slow and thoughtful movements.

• ability to cause trouble.

• speed and suddenness.

• habit of leaving things behind.

Part A: After grandfather dies, Mattie says, "I held my breath and waited for the world to stop spinning. The sun need not rise again. There was no reason for the rivers to flow. Birds would never sing" (147). What type of figurative language is this?

• symbolism

• metaphor

• hyperbole

• allusion

What does Mattie mean when she says, "I felt like a baby girl just learning to walk, only the ground under my feet was shaking and I had no one to hold on to" (148).

• Mattie feels confident and in control of her situation.

• Mattie is excited about a new adventure ahead.

• Mattie believes she is surrounded by supportive friends.

• Mattie feels vulnerable and unsupported in a challenging situation.

What does the metaphor "The sound of of my shoes tapping across the cobblestone echoed down the street like a latecomer sneaking into church" show about how Mattie feels?

• Mattie was uncomfortable walking in the streets because she was late.

• Mattie's felt uncomfortable because the streets were empty of people.

• Mattie did not like being late to her appointment.

• Mattie liked to sneak around the streets of Philadelphia.

How does this simile "It looked like an enormous broom had swept away all the people" represent the mood of Philadelphia in this part of the text?

• The mood in Philadelphia is frightened because no one wants to catch yellow fever.

• The mood in Philadelphia is hopeful because yellow fever is starting to die down.

• The mood in Philadelphia is angry because people don't want to be infected with yellow fever.

• The mood in Philadelphia is forlorn because yellow fever has dispersed the population

Part B: What does the symbolism in "I held my breath and waited for the world to stop spinning. The sun need not rise again. There was no reason for the rivers to flow. Birds would never sing" (147) stand for?

• The symbolism signifies the beauty of nature and its eternal cycle.

• The symbolism represents hope and renewal in difficult times.

• The symbolism represents despair and the feeling that life loses its meaning in the face of profound emotional pain.

• The symbolism illustrates a moment of joy and celebration of life.

What type of figurative device is Mattie using when she says "Eliza was the coffeehouse cook. Mother couldn't prepare a meal fit for pigs. I found this amusing, considering our last name was Cook."

• verbal irony

• metaphor

• allusion

• symbolism

What does Mattie mean when she uses the idiom, "[Mom and Eliza] both supped sorrow with a big spoon" (9)?

• Her mother and Eliza both have bad attitudes about needing to work for a living

• Her mother and Eliza never feel happy because their husbands are dead

• Her mother and Eliza use big utensils to eat soup, and it makes them very sad

• Her mother and Eliza both greatly mourned the loss of their husbands

What does the author mean by the phrase "the air was thick with the smell of baking bread"?

• It indicates that bread was being baked nearby.

• It suggests that the atmosphere was heavy with a comforting scent.

• It implies that the air was unbreathable.

• ´It means that the baking process was causing trouble.

Which of the follow quotes uses hyperbole?

• "Mother's family was wealthy then, but that didn't stop her from stitching entire quilts before breakfast, or spinning miles of wool before tea" (2).

• "I leaped from my bed, and - thunk - cracked my head on the sloped ceiling" (2).

• "...Blanchard had flown that remarkable balloon. From the prison's courtyard it rose, a yellow silk bubble escaping the Earth" (4).

• "Look here, gentlemen, sweets offered by the sweetest filly in the Commonwealth" (19).