Figurative Language Purpose Analysis

In "Her voice was as smooth as honey," (simile) the author's purpose in comparing the voice to honey is to:

• Show the voice's physical texture

• Emphasize the voice's sweet and soothing quality

• Indicate the speaker likes honey

• Describe the speed of speech

Answer explanation

"Emphasize the voice's sweet and soothing quality" is correct: The simile comparing a voice to honey emphasizes smoothness and sweetness. Honey is known for its smooth, soothing qualities, so this comparison suggests the voice is pleasant and calming to hear.

The repetition in Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech serves what purpose?

• to create a memorable rhythm

• to fill speaking time

• to confuse the audience

• to demonstrate vocabulary skills

Answer explanation

1. "to create a memorable rhythm" is correct: The repetition of "I have a dream" creates a powerful rhetorical device that makes the speech memorable and emphasizes the importance of each iteration. The rhythm helps embed the message in listeners' minds.

In "The ancient oak tree stood guard over the cemetery" (personification), the author's intent is to:

• Describe the tree's job
  

• Show the tree's age
  

• Create a sense of protective presence

•  Indicate the tree is alive

Answer explanation

1. "create a sense of protective presence" is correct: By personifying the tree as "standing guard," the author creates an image of protection and watchfulness, suggesting the tree is a protective presence over the cemetery.

 The alliteration in "The slithering snake silently slid" aims to:

• Make the line difficult to say

• Create a random pattern

• Demonstrate grammar rules

• Mimic the sound and movement of the snake

Answer explanation

1.  The repeated 's' sound in the alliteration mimics the sound a snake makes as it moves, creating an auditory connection to the subject matter.

In "He was drowning in paperwork" (metaphor), the author's purpose is to:

• Indicate actual danger

• Show physical wetness

• Emphasize overwhelming quantity

• Describe office supplies

Answer explanation

1. This metaphor compares paperwork to drowning to emphasize being overwhelmed by the quantity of work. It suggests the person feels submerged or overwhelmed by their workload.

The imagery in "The rusty hinges screamed as the door opened" serves to:

• Create a suspenseful atmosphere

• Show the door's age

• Indicate poor maintenance

• Describe normal door sounds

Answer explanation

The imagery of screaming hinges creates a dark, eerie atmosphere. The word choice contributes to building suspense or tension in the scene.

The allusion to Romeo and Juliet in "Their love was doomed from the start" serves to:

• Show literary knowledge

• Reference Shakespeare randomly

• Foreshadow tragic outcomes

• Discuss Italian culture

Answer explanation

1. The allusion to Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare's famous tragedy, foreshadows a doomed outcome, as their story is universally known as a tragic love story.

 In "The city was a beating heart" (metaphor), the author intends to:

• Describe urban anatomy

• Show medical knowledge

• Emphasize vital energy and life

• Indicate cardiovascular health

Answer explanation

1. This metaphor compares the city to a heart to emphasize its vital, pulsing energy and suggest that it is the center of life and activity.

The imagery in "Moonlight spilled across the silver lake" aims to:

• Discuss liquid dynamics

• Show nighttime lighting

• Create a peaceful, ethereal mood

• Describe weather conditions

Answer explanation

1. The imagery of moonlight "spilling" creates a peaceful, ethereal mood by painting a serene nighttime scene.

The alliteration in "Peaceful pandas purposefully plodded" serves to:

• Create tongue twisters

• Emphasize gentle movement

• Show spelling patterns

• Describe zoo animals

Answer explanation

1. The alliteration with soft 'p' sounds emphasizes the gentle, deliberate movement of the pandas, matching sound to meaning because you must slow down to pronounce each word properly.