The Ghost of Sorrowful Bridge - Figurative Language in literary texts (Grade 7)

In the passage, what does the author say Michaela's anger felt like?

• A cold fog

• A stone in her stomach

• Dry leaves skittering

• A wall of shadows

Answer explanation

The passage directly states, '...her anger was a stone in her stomach.' This metaphor describes the heavy, uncomfortable feeling of her anger.

The phrase "Her words were ice" is used to show that Michaela was speaking in a way that was...

• very quiet and hard to hear.

• cold and unfriendly.

• loud and clear.

• confusing and unclear.

Answer explanation

This is a metaphor. Ice is cold and hard, so comparing her words to ice means she was speaking in a cold, unfriendly, and unforgiving tone.

What simile does the author use to describe the appearance of the Sorrowful Bridge?

• A wall of shadows

• Crooked fingers reaching

• Like a skeleton’s spine

• A cold fog

Answer explanation

The first paragraph states, 'Its wooden planks looked like a skeleton’s spine stretched across the creek.' A simile is a comparison using 'like' or 'as'.

When the passage says "The old wood groaned under his sneakers," what feeling does this use of personification create for the reader?

• A feeling of excitement and fun

• A feeling of safety and strength

• A feeling of happiness and relief

• A feeling of danger and instability

Answer explanation

Personification gives a human quality (groaning) to the wood. A groan suggests pain or strain, which makes the bridge seem old, weak, and dangerous.

According to the passage, what did the sound carried by the wind resemble?

• Dry leaves skittering on pavement

• A music box playing a tune

• The creek flowing underneath

• Someone crying softly

Answer explanation

The passage explicitly states that the wind carried 'a sound like dry leaves skittering on pavement.' This is a direct detail from the text.

Read the phrases from the story. Categorize them as either "Literal Description" (something that is actually happening) or "Figurative Language" (a descriptive comparison or image).

Groups:

(a) Literal Description

,

(b) Figurative Language

• The old wood groaned under his sneakers

• Her anger was a stone in her stomach

• He had broken Michaela's favorite music box

• Bryce took a hesitant step onto the bridge

• The gnarled branches of the trees suddenly looked like crooked fingers

• He ran right into Michaela's arms

Answer explanation

Literal descriptions state facts from the story's events. Figurative language uses comparisons (metaphor, simile) or gives human-like qualities to objects (personification) to create a stronger image or feeling.

Match the example of figurative language from the passage to the literary device it uses.

• Personification (giving human actions to an object)

• Her anger was a stone in her stomach.

• Simile (a comparison using 'like' or 'as')

• The old wood groaned under his sneakers.

• Metaphor (a direct comparison stating one thing is another)

• Its wooden planks looked like a skeleton’s spine...

• Imagery (language that appeals to the senses)

• ...her sadness a cold fog that clung to the rotting wood.

Answer explanation

The first option uses 'like' to compare the planks to a spine, making it a simile. The second directly compares anger to a stone, making it a metaphor. The third gives the wood the human action of groaning, which is personification. The fourth creates a sensory experience of coldness and sight, which is imagery.

The author uses the metaphor "her anger was a stone in her stomach." After she forgives Bryce, the passage says, "The stone in her stomach was gone." How does this use of figurative language help you understand the theme of forgiveness? Apply this idea to a real-life situation where forgiving someone could make a person feel "lighter."

Answer explanation