Week 5 QUIZ 1: Allegory

Which is the best definition of an allegory?

• a story with humanlike animals

• a story with many characters

• a story with a symbolic message

• a story with a happy ending

Which is the best definition of a folktale?

• a story about common people

• a story shared orally for generations

• a story for use in a school setting

• a story told with few variations

An allegory most often uses characters to

• explain a current event.

• solve a problem.

• entertain with humor.

• represent an idea.

Read the excerpt from "Aunty Misery.”

La Tia Miseria was blamed by these people for their troubles, of course. Not wishing to be unfair, the old woman made a deal with her prisoner, Death: if he promised not ever to come for her again, she would give him his freedom. He agreed. And that is why there are two things you can always count on running into in this world: Misery and Death: La miseria y la muerte.

Which element of an allegory is found in this excerpt?

• The message of the story explains something about life.

• The message of the story is written to frighten readers.

• The message of the story is exaggerated for children.

• The message of the story shows that death is miserable.

Read the excerpt from "Aunty Misery.”

Many years passed, and there were no deaths in the world. The people who make their living from death began to protest loudly. The doctors claimed no one bothered to come in for examinations or treatments anymore, because they did not fear dying; the pharmacists' business suffered too because medicines are, like magic potions, bought to prevent or postpone the inevitable; priests and undertakers were unhappy with the situation also, for obvious reasons. There were also many old folks tired of life who wanted to pass on to the next world to rest from miseries of this one.

This excerpt expresses which symbolic message found in the allegorical folktale?

• Death can strengthen business.

• Death can be easily prevented.

• Death is an important part of life.

• Death is something frightening.

Read the excerpt from "Aunty Misery.”

One day, a traveler stopped at the old woman's hut and asked her for permission to spend the night under her roof. Aunty Misery saw that he had an honest face and bade the pilgrim come in. She fed him and made a bed for him in front of her hearth. In the morning the stranger told her that he would show his gratitude for her hospitality by granting her one wish.

The allegory found in this excerpt expresses which symbolic message?

• Old women should be careful of strangers.

• You can’t judge people by looking at them.

• Always show gratitude for hospitality.

• Good deeds will be rewarded.

Which sentence contains an example of a metaphor?

• “The tree trunk was just as sticky as a honey pot.”

• “Aunty Misery hid in the garden like an old scarecrow.”

• “The sweet pear tree was a hidden treasure box.”

• “Children were swinging from the branches like monkeys.”

Which excerpt is an example of a simile?

• Death arrived at her door like an unwelcome stray dog.

• Aunty Misery was a grumpy bear when children were near.

• The ripe pears were shiny gems, impossible to resist.

• Wind blew its hot breath through the dusty village.

Which excerpt has the greatest hyperbole?

• The pear tree stood tall in the garden, waving her shady branches.

• Leaves fell like confetti when the children scrambled up the tree.

• The doctor’s office was empty as a tomb for months and months.

• The children climbed higher than the sun’s rays that afternoon.

Which excerpt has an example of personification?

• The children squealed like frightened mice after they were caught.

• Fresh pear juice dripped in golden raindrops from his messy chin.

• Villagers looked as tired and wilted as a bouquet of dried flowers.

• The old tree raised her gnarly branches to touch the summer sky.