Question

Many people assume that it's always rainy in the Pacific Northwest. However,
some areas of this region within the United States are actually quite dry. For
example, sagebrush is a plant that thrives in a dry climate. And it is easily found
throughout much of the eastern halves of Oregon and Washington. As numerous as
the stars that blanket the sky, sagebrush plants sprout up and cover parts of this
beautiful high desert.

What is the effect of the last line of this passage?

1

2

3

It effectively introduces the fact that Pacific Northwest states have been
successful with plantings.

It describes the problem of invasive species such as sagebrush being
introduced to the Pacific Northwest.

It helps readers picture the abundance of sagebrush plants in dry parts of
the Pacific Northwest.

Answer 1

3

The line uses a simile ("as numerous as the stars") and vivid imagery to emphasize how abundant sagebrush is in those dry parts of the Pacific Northwest.