Question

text-dependent questions

1. what effect does the personification of the wind (clawed at the shutters) have on the mood?

a) it creates a sense of warmth and safety
b) it builds tension and unease
c) it suggests peacefulness
d) it lightens the tone with humor

1. the phrase the flame flickering like a nervous heartbeat is an example of-

a) hyperbole
b) allusion
c) simile
d) metaphor
name: ___________________________
block: ____________

1. how does the authors use of figurative language in describing the letter (time itself had been holding its breath) contribute to meaning?

a) it suggests the letter has been forgotten
b) it implies the letter contains something suspenseful
c) it reveals the letter is unimportant
d) it shows maria is careless

1. the grandmothers warning (storms bring more than rain; they carry secrets) primarily functions to-

a) provide background information about maria
b) foreshadow upcoming conflict
c) lighten the mood with humor
d) reveal marias dislike for storms

1. why does the author describe marias trembling hands?

a) to illustrate her excitement
b) to emphasize her nervous hesitation
c) to show her physical weakness
d) to indicate she dislikes storms

1. how does the manipulation of time (shifting from present storm to grandmothers past warning) affect the passage?

a) it interrupts the story unnecessarily
b) it creates suspense by linking past and present
c) it reveals the resolution too early
d) it confuses the reader with irrelevant details

Explanation:

1. Personifying wind as "clawed at the shutters" creates a menacing, tense feel, not warmth, peace, or humor.
2. The phrase uses "like" to compare a flame to a heartbeat, which defines a simile; hyperbole is exaggeration, allusion references another work, metaphor does not use "like/as".
3. Personifying time as "holding its breath" implies tension and anticipation, meaning the letter has suspenseful content, not that it's forgotten, unimportant, or shows carelessness.
4. The grandmother's warning about storms carrying secrets hints at future conflict, not just background, humor, or dislike of storms.
5. Trembling hands typically signal nervousness/hesitation, not excitement, physical weakness, or dislike of storms.
6. Shifting between present storm and past warning connects past context to current tension, building suspense, not interrupting, revealing resolution early, or confusing readers.

Answer:

1. b) It builds tension and unease
2. c) Simile
3. b) It implies the letter contains something suspenseful
4. b) Foreshadow upcoming conflict
5. b) To emphasize her nervous hesitation
6. b) It creates suspense by linking past and present