Question

literal or figurative?
now, youll practice what youve just learned about literal and figurative meanings. to begin, select each passage below to see italicized text.
for each passage, decide whether the italicized text conveys a literal or figurative meaning. drag the correct label to the box underneath the passage.
katie didnt feel it was too much to ask that joshua replace the dvd he scratched, but joshua claimed it wasnt his fault.
evan stood in front of the cotton candy booth, watching as the delicate, silky threads of sugar were spun into a cloud and then captured on a paper cone.
shawna planned to run the marathon on saturday, but during the week she started feeling under the weather. by friday she was so ill, she knew she wouldnt make the marathon.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each passage:

First Passage (Katie and Joshua):

The italicized text (assuming no figurative language here, as the actions are straightforward—asking to replace a scratched DVD, claiming fault) conveys a literal meaning. The words are used in their ordinary, factual sense.

Second Passage (Evan and cotton candy):

The phrase “delicate, silky threads of sugar were spun into a cloud” uses figurative language (comparing spun sugar to a cloud, using descriptive imagery). However, wait—actually, in the context of making cotton candy, “silky threads” and “spun into a cloud” might be literal descriptions of the process (sugar is spun into thin threads that look like a cloud). Wait, no—“cloud” is a figurative comparison, but maybe in the context of cotton candy, it’s a literal description of its appearance. Wait, no—let’s re-examine:

Wait, the first passage: “didn’t feel it was too much to ask… claimed it wasn’t his fault”—literal, as it’s a straightforward account of their actions/feelings.

Second passage: “delicate, silky threads of sugar were spun into a cloud”—“cloud” here is a figurative description of the cotton candy’s appearance (since cotton candy looks like a cloud). Wait, but maybe it’s literal? No—sugar threads don’t become a real cloud. So “cloud” is figurative. But maybe the question’s italicized text is “delicate, silky threads”—those are literal descriptions of the sugar (since sugar when spun is thin and silky). Wait, the problem says “italicized text”—but the user’s image shows the passages, but the italicized parts are not visible. Wait, the original problem says “select each passage below to see italicized text”—so we have to assume the italicized parts. But since this is a common problem, let’s recall:

• First passage: likely literal (straightforward dialogue/action).
• Second passage: “delicate, silky threads” might be literal (describing the sugar’s texture), or “spun into a cloud” figurative. But maybe the intended answer is:

First passage: Literal (no figurative language, just a factual account of their disagreement).

Second passage: Literal (describing the actual process of making cotton candy—sugar is spun into thin threads that look like a cloud, but the description of “silky threads” is literal).

Third passage: “feeling under the weather” is a figurative phrase (meaning ill), so the italicized text “feeling under the weather” is figurative.

Final Answers (assuming the italicized parts):

1. Katie’s passage: Literal
2. Evan’s passage: Literal (or Figurative, depending on italicized text)
3. Shawna’s passage: Figurative (for “feeling under the weather”)

But since the user’s image doesn’t show the italicized text, we’ll proceed with the most common interpretation:

• Katie’s passage: Literal (straightforward interaction, no figurative language).
• Evan’s passage: Literal (describing the cotton candy-making process, “silky threads” is a literal texture description).
• Shawna’s passage: Figurative (“feeling under the weather” is an idiom meaning ill).

So:

1. Katie’s passage: Label = Literal
2. Evan’s passage: Label = Literal
3. Shawna’s passage: Label = Figurative

(Note: If the italicized text in Shawna’s passage is “feeling under the weather”, then it’s figurative; if it’s “run the marathon” or “so ill”, those are literal. The key is identifying idioms/figurative language vs. literal descriptions.)

Answer:

To solve this, we analyze each passage:

First Passage (Katie and Joshua):

The italicized text (assuming no figurative language here, as the actions are straightforward—asking to replace a scratched DVD, claiming fault) conveys a literal meaning. The words are used in their ordinary, factual sense.

Second Passage (Evan and cotton candy):

The phrase “delicate, silky threads of sugar were spun into a cloud” uses figurative language (comparing spun sugar to a cloud, using descriptive imagery). However, wait—actually, in the context of making cotton candy, “silky threads” and “spun into a cloud” might be literal descriptions of the process (sugar is spun into thin threads that look like a cloud). Wait, no—“cloud” is a figurative comparison, but maybe in the context of cotton candy, it’s a literal description of its appearance. Wait, no—let’s re-examine:

Wait, the first passage: “didn’t feel it was too much to ask… claimed it wasn’t his fault”—literal, as it’s a straightforward account of their actions/feelings.

Second passage: “delicate, silky threads of sugar were spun into a cloud”—“cloud” here is a figurative description of the cotton candy’s appearance (since cotton candy looks like a cloud). Wait, but maybe it’s literal? No—sugar threads don’t become a real cloud. So “cloud” is figurative. But maybe the question’s italicized text is “delicate, silky threads”—those are literal descriptions of the sugar (since sugar when spun is thin and silky). Wait, the problem says “italicized text”—but the user’s image shows the passages, but the italicized parts are not visible. Wait, the original problem says “select each passage below to see italicized text”—so we have to assume the italicized parts. But since this is a common problem, let’s recall:

• First passage: likely literal (straightforward dialogue/action).
• Second passage: “delicate, silky threads” might be literal (describing the sugar’s texture), or “spun into a cloud” figurative. But maybe the intended answer is:

First passage: Literal (no figurative language, just a factual account of their disagreement).

Second passage: Literal (describing the actual process of making cotton candy—sugar is spun into thin threads that look like a cloud, but the description of “silky threads” is literal).

Third passage: “feeling under the weather” is a figurative phrase (meaning ill), so the italicized text “feeling under the weather” is figurative.

Final Answers (assuming the italicized parts):

1. Katie’s passage: Literal
2. Evan’s passage: Literal (or Figurative, depending on italicized text)
3. Shawna’s passage: Figurative (for “feeling under the weather”)

But since the user’s image doesn’t show the italicized text, we’ll proceed with the most common interpretation:

• Katie’s passage: Literal (straightforward interaction, no figurative language).
• Evan’s passage: Literal (describing the cotton candy-making process, “silky threads” is a literal texture description).
• Shawna’s passage: Figurative (“feeling under the weather” is an idiom meaning ill).

So:

1. Katie’s passage: Label = Literal
2. Evan’s passage: Label = Literal
3. Shawna’s passage: Label = Figurative

(Note: If the italicized text in Shawna’s passage is “feeling under the weather”, then it’s figurative; if it’s “run the marathon” or “so ill”, those are literal. The key is identifying idioms/figurative language vs. literal descriptions.)