Question

Read the following descriptions of hope:

"A. 'Hope Is The Thing With Feathers' by Emily Dickinson, 1891.

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune without the words

And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;

And sore must be the storm

That could abash the little bird

That kept so many warm.

I’ve heard it in the chillest land,

And on the strangest sea;

Yet, never, in extremity,

It asked a crumb of me.

"B. Hope can be either a noun or a verb. It is an expectation or desire that something wanted will happen: I have hope that I’ll get an A on this test! It is also the action of wanting a desired outcome to occur: She is hoping to have her stitches taken out next week. Synonyms of hope include ‘belief’ and ‘wish,’ while ‘doubt’ and ‘fear’ are antonyms."

Which choice below best explains differences in the tone and style of the two passages?




Passage A is a poem organized around a description of the power of hope. It uses a metaphor to create an emotional response in the reader.

Passage B is a definition. It is organized to give the reader facts in an efficient and orderly manner.


Passage A is a story for children, so it uses simple rhymes and small words.

Passage B is adult literature, so it uses difficult words and complex sentences.


Passage A is a work of fiction about a bird’s life.

Passage B is a work of non-fiction about word usage.


Passage A was written in the 1800s when everyone used flowery language to express even simple ideas.

Passage B was written in the present day when everyone uses minimal, modern terms to make a point.

Answer 1

The first choice.

Passage A is a poem using metaphor and evocative language to produce an emotional effect; Passage B is a definitional, factual explanation organized for clarity and efficiency.