Question

analyzing a simile
highlight the simile in this passage
and all this time,
in travail, sobbing, gaining on the current,
we rowed into the strait - scylla to port
and on our starboard beam charybdis, dire
gorge of the salt sea tide. by heaven! when she
vomited, all the sea was like a cauldron
seething over intense fire, when the mixture
suddenly heaves and rises.
—the odyssey,
homer
what does the simile add to this passage? check all
that apply
□ a comparison between the sea and a cauldron
□ a visual representation of the sea’s anger
□ a comparison between scylla and charybdis
□ an example of how the men feel as they row
□ a visual to show where scylla and charybdis are
located

Explanation:

Part 1: Highlight the simile

The simile in the passage is: "all the sea was like a cauldron seething over intense fire"

Part 2: Analyze the simile’s contribution (check all that apply)

• "a comparison between the sea and a cauldron": The simile uses "like" to compare the sea to a cauldron, so this applies.
• "a visual representation of the sea’s anger": The cauldron "seething over intense fire" evokes chaos/ferocity, representing the sea’s turbulent (angry) state.
• "a comparison between Scylla and Charybdis": The simile compares the sea to a cauldron, not Scylla and Charybdis. Eliminate.
• "an example of how the men feel as they row": The simile describes the sea, not the men’s emotions. Eliminate.
• "a visual to show where Scylla and Charybdis are located": The simile describes the sea’s state, not the location of Scylla/Charybdis. Eliminate.

Answer:

s:

Highlighted Simile:

"all the sea was like a cauldron seething over intense fire"

Checked Options:

• a comparison between the sea and a cauldron
• a visual representation of the sea’s anger