The Whispering Creek - Personification in literary text (Grade 6)
Passage
•
English
•
6th Grade
•
Practice Problem
•
Hard
Angela Lock
FREE Resource
8 questions
Show all answers
1.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
In the first paragraph, what object is described as "crying rusty tears"?
The deflated soccer ball
A plastic bag
The lonely shopping cart
The creek
Answer explanation
The passage directly states, 'A lonely shopping cart, half-sunk in the mud, looked like it was crying rusty tears down its metal frame.' This is an example of personification, giving the human quality of crying to an inanimate object.
2.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
According to the passage, what did the wind do that seemed to agree with Dakota's feeling of hopelessness?
It blew a soda can into the water.
It made the willow trees slump over.
It whispered sadly through the trees.
It stopped blowing completely.
Answer explanation
The passage says, 'The wind seemed to agree with him. It whispered sadly through the branches...' This personification reflects Dakota's sad and defeated mood.
3.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Why does the author use the phrase "the sun smiled down"?
To show that the weather was getting warmer.
To describe the shape of the sun as it appeared from behind the clouds.
To prove that cleaning the creek was an easy job.
To create a feeling of hope and highlight a positive sign of life.
Answer explanation
The personification of the sun 'smiling' changes the tone of the story from sad to hopeful. It emphasizes the beauty of the small, clean part of the creek and the flower, which helps change Dakota's mind.
4.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
What does the author most likely mean by saying the creek "groaned under the weight of plastic bags"?
The creek was making a loud, low sound that Henry and Dakota could hear.
The creek was so polluted with trash that it seemed to be suffering.
The plastic bags were heavier than the water.
Henry was the one who was groaning about the trash.
Answer explanation
The word 'groaned' is used as personification to give the creek a human-like quality of being in pain or distress. It's not a literal sound but a way to describe how overwhelmed the creek is by pollution.
5.
CATEGORIZE QUESTION
1 min • 1 pt
Sort the following phrases from the passage into the categories that best describe the feeling they create.
Groups:
(a) Feelings of Sadness or Defeat
,
(b) Feelings of Hope or Strength
crying rusty tears
fighting to breathe
whispered sadly
tired-looking willow trees
a brave wildflower
the creek groaned
Answer explanation
The phrases 'the creek groaned,' 'crying rusty tears,' 'whispered sadly,' and 'tired-looking willow trees' use personification to create a mood of sadness and defeat about the polluted environment. The phrases 'fighting to breathe' and 'a brave wildflower' use personification to create a feeling of hope and resilience.
6.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
When Henry points to the clear patch of water, what does he say the creek is doing?
Fighting to breathe.
Asking for help.
Crying rusty tears.
Whispering sadly.
Answer explanation
The passage states, '"Look! The creek is fighting to breathe right here. It wants to be clean again."' Henry uses this personification to argue that the creek is not a lost cause.
7.
MATCH QUESTION
1 min • 1 pt
Match the non-human thing from the passage with the human-like action or quality it is given.
Groaned and was fighting to breathe
The shopping cart
Was crying rusty tears
The sun
Smiled down on a clean spot
The creek
Was brave and pushed through dirt
The wildflower
Answer explanation
Each item is matched with the personification used to describe it in the passage: The creek 'groaned' and was 'fighting to breathe.' The shopping cart was 'crying rusty tears.' The sun 'smiled down.' The wildflower was 'brave' because it 'pushed' its way through the dirt.
Access all questions and much more by creating a free account
Create resources
Host any resource
Get auto-graded reports
Continue with Google
Continue with Email
Continue with Microsoft
or continue with
%20(1).png)
Apple
Others
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service & Privacy Policy
Already have an account?
