Question

read the excerpt from the green gables letters by l. m. montgomery. the woods are getting ready to sleep—they are not yet asleep but they are disrobing and are having all sorts of little bed - time conferences and whisperings and good - nights. what meaning does the use of personification convey? ∘ it conveys the idea that the trees in the woods are tired and ready for bed. ∘ it conveys the idea of trees losing their leaves and making noises in the wind. ∘ it conveys the idea that the trees in the woods are talking to the author before they go to sleep. ∘ it conveys the idea that the trees in the woods are not able to sleep, so they keep talking to one another.

Explanation:

1. Analyze Option 1: The excerpt's personification ("getting ready to sleep", "disrobing", "conferences") isn't about trees being tired (a human emotional state), but about seasonal changes. Eliminate.
2. Analyze Option 2: "Disrobing" can refer to trees losing leaves (like undressing), and "whisperings", "conferences" can represent wind - made noises in trees. This matches the natural process of trees in autumn (losing leaves, wind - caused sounds) via personification.
3. Analyze Option 3: The personification doesn't imply trees are talking to the author. The actions are internal to the woods, not directed at the author. Eliminate.
4. Analyze Option 4: The excerpt says "getting ready to sleep" (not unable to sleep). The "conferences" etc. are part of preparing to sleep, not being unable to. Eliminate.

Answer:

B. It conveys the idea of trees losing their leaves and making noises in the wind.