L.7.5 Figurative Language - How to Train Your Trainer

Read the passage and answer the questions.

​"How to Train your Trainer"

L.7.5 Figurative Language

Multiple Choice

1. Read this sentence from the story.

This Herculean task wasn’t going well either.

How does the author use an allusion in this sentence?

• to identify the name of Ricky’s dog

• to explain why Ricky’s dog should be trained

• to explain the difficulty of training Ricky’s dog

• to describe what strategies Ricky was using to train his dog

Multiple Choice

2. Read this sentence from the story.

Knowing he needed help, Ricky searched the Web and found the site of a professional dog trainer that he

hoped would facilitate his training plans.

What does the word facilitate mean?

• to assist

• to replace

• to comfort

• to maintain

Multiple Choice

3. Based on the connotations of the words and phrases

his fingers felt like stuffed sausages, hopelessly,

and

Frustration washed over Ricky

What can the reader tell about Ricky?

• He is completely discouraged.

• He is completely exhausted.

• He is completely heartbroken.

• He is completely unhealthy.

Multiple Choice

4. Read the sentence from the story.

A lightbulb switched on in his head as he remembered some of the tips from the dog training website.

What does the figurative language in this sentence suggest?

• The figurative language in this sentence suggests that Ricky decides to stop trying to learn guitar because the website’s “simple enough for beginners” song felt too frustrating, and he realizes he would rather give up than struggle.

• The figurative language in this sentence suggests that Ricky remembers he left the lights on in his room when he sees his guitar "sitting patiently in the corner," making him feel guilty and distracted.

• The figurative language in this sentence suggests that Ricky thinks about getting a different guitar because his fingers felt like “stuffed sausages” and he believes a new guitar might be easier to play.

• The figurative language in this sentence suggests that Ricky suddenly and unexpectedly has a good idea for approaching guitar playing like he did dog training by working on “one skill at a time,” practicing “regularly,” and by having “patience.”