The Echo Watch - Figurative Language in literary texts (Grade 7)
Passage
•
English
•
7th Grade
•
Practice Problem
•
Hard
Angela Lock
FREE Resource
8 questions
Show all answers
1.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
When Elise says, “The past is sticky tar,” what is the meaning of this metaphor?
The past is a sweet memory that is hard to forget.
Trying to change or dwell on the past will only keep you trapped in it.
The past is dark and difficult to see clearly.
Memories from the past are messy and should be cleaned up.
Answer explanation
Elise follows the metaphor by saying, "The more you struggle in it, the more stuck you get." This explains that fighting against the past doesn't fix it but instead traps a person, which is the main idea of the metaphor.
2.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
In the passage, what does Elise compare Briggs's guilt to?
a heavy anchor
a backpack full of rocks
sticky tar
a trapped bee
Answer explanation
Elise directly tells Briggs, "...you’re still here, carrying the memory around like a backpack full of rocks." The phrase "a heavy anchor" describes his guilt in the narration, but Elise uses the simile "a backpack full of rocks."
3.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
At the end of the story, the watch's ticking changes from a "frantic countdown" to a "steady heartbeat." What does this change in figurative language show about Briggs?
The watch is finally broken.
He is becoming scared of the watch.
He has decided to give the watch to Elise.
He has found peace and is no longer anxious about the past.
Answer explanation
A "frantic countdown" suggests anxiety and urgency. A "steady heartbeat" suggests calm and life. This shift shows that Briggs has accepted Elise's advice and is letting go of his guilt, feeling calm instead of desperate.
4.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
What phrase does the narrator use to describe the cracks on the broken volcano project?
a pile of plaster
a heavy anchor
a spiderweb of cracks
a frantic countdown
Answer explanation
The passage states, "The model volcano, her masterpiece, ended up as a pile of plaster with a spiderweb of cracks." This is a direct detail from the text.
5.
CATEGORIZE QUESTION
1 min • 1 pt
Categorize the following figurative phrases from the passage based on the idea they describe.
Groups:
(a) Descriptions of Briggs's Guilt
,
(b) Descriptions of Objects or Concepts
a volcano of baking soda and vinegar
a backpack full of rocks
a trapped bee
a heavy anchor
sticky tar
a spiderweb of cracks
Answer explanation
The phrases 'a heavy anchor' and 'a backpack full of rocks' are used to describe the weight and burden of Briggs's guilt. The other phrases describe physical objects (the watch, the project) or a concept (the past), so they fit into the 'Objects or Concepts' category.
6.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
In the first paragraph, the narrator says the watch 'wasn't telling time; it was holding it.' What is the figurative meaning of this phrase?
The watch was broken and its hands were stuck.
The watch was a precious heirloom that held sentimental memories.
The watch had the power to contain and control moments from the past.
The watch was too old to show the correct time anymore.
Answer explanation
This phrase is used figuratively to introduce the watch's magical ability. 'Holding time' means it literally contains the past and allows Briggs to travel to it, which is central to the story's time-travel plot.
7.
MATCH QUESTION
1 min • 1 pt
Match each phrase spoken by a character to the primary feeling or motivation it reveals.
Desperation to fix a mistake
“It was just a volcano of baking soda and vinegar.”
Minimizing the problem's importance
“I have to fix it.”
Advising self-forgiveness
“Still trying to unscramble the egg?”
Highlighting an impossible task
“Now you have to forgive yourself.”
Answer explanation
Briggs's line shows his desperation. Elise’s 'unscramble the egg' question highlights the impossibility of his goal. Her description of the volcano minimizes its importance to help him move on. Her final piece of advice points directly to the theme of letting go through self-forgiveness.
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?
