Based on the author’s use of figurative language in the passage, what can a reader determine about the cultural

9 answers

To provide a thorough analysis of the author's use of figurative language and what it reveals about cultural aspects in a passage, I would need to see the specific text you're referring to. Figurative language—like metaphors, similes, personification, and symbolism—often reflects cultural values, beliefs, and experiences.

For instance, if an author uses metaphors related to nature, it could indicate a cultural connection to the environment or a reverence for nature in that culture. Similarly, if familial relationships are emphasized through similes, it might highlight the importance of family bonds within that cultural context.

If you provide the passage or more details about it, I can help analyze the figurative language used and its implications on the cultural insights reflected in the text.

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Yamanba of the Mountain
by Cathy Spagnoli

The help of elders supports harmony in society, and friends can come in many forms, as this tale suggests. A yamanba, found in Japanese folklore, usually lives on mountains, is quite fierce, and can change shapes.

Mukashi, mukashi ... Long ago in a quiet Japanese village, people feared the yamanba who lived at the top of a nearby mountain.

When rains fell too hard on their crops, people said, "It's her fault, that yamanba. She likes to make trouble."

When snows piled up high on their houses, people said, "It's her fault, that yamanba. She loves to make trouble."

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Question
Use the passage to answer the question.

Based on the author’s use of figurative language in the passage, what can a reader determine about the cultural setting of the story? Select the two correct answers.

(1 point)
Responses

The story is set in a place where people fear things needless…

Based on the passage regarding "Yamanba of the Mountain" by Cathy Spagnoli, the use of figurative language suggests a couple of key cultural elements. Here are two possible correct answers addressing the cultural setting of the story:

  1. The story reflects a cultural belief in the supernatural: The yamanba, being a figure from Japanese folklore who is both feared and attributed with the ability to affect weather, illustrates a cultural perspective that sees natural events as potentially influenced by supernatural beings. This indicates a belief in a world where humans are subject to, and interact with, forces beyond their control.

  2. Community relationships are tied to nature and its challenges: The villagers’ tendency to blame the yamanba for their hardships (like heavy rains or snow) indicates a cultural practice of personifying nature and its dilemmas. This shows how community life is intertwined with natural phenomena, reflecting a cultural mindset that seeks to find meaning or scapegoats in their environmental struggles.

Both of these points illustrate how figurative language—through the portrayal of yamanba and the villagers’ reactions—reflects deeper cultural beliefs and values within the setting of the story.

Use the paragraph to answer the question.

Kade and Lula took slow, careful steps. All around them, the moonlight kissed the red ivy. The ivy stretched out, strangling the garden bench, the fountain, and the gate—taunting them with its omnipresence. How could they possibly get around without touching it? A few droplets of chilly rain splattered down. Each icy drop seemed to say, “Hurry, hurry. You don’t have long.”

In 3–5 sentences, explain how the author used figurative language to create a specific effect. Make sure to explain what kind of figurative language the author used and the effect it had. Provide samples from the text to support your answer.

The author employs personification and vivid imagery to create a sense of tension and urgency in the scene. For instance, the phrase "the moonlight kissed the red ivy" imbues the ivy with a sense of beauty and allure, while the description of the ivy "strangling the garden bench, the fountain, and the gate" suggests a menacing, almost sinister presence that restricts Kade and Lula’s movement. Additionally, the droplets of rain are personified with the words, “Each icy drop seemed to say, ‘Hurry, hurry. You don’t have long,’” which heightens the urgency felt by the characters. Together, these elements of figurative language reinforce a mood of entrapment and pressure, prompting readers to feel the couple's anxiety as they navigate the oppressive environment.

In 3–5 sentences, explain an object to someone who is unfamiliar with the object using an analogy that clarifies the object’s function or makes the explanation easier to understand.(4 points)

A bicycle is like a horse and rider combination. Just as a horse uses its legs to run and carry its rider across distances, a bicycle uses two wheels to move forward, powered by the rider pedaling with their legs. The handlebars of the bicycle act like the reins of the horse, allowing the rider to steer and control their direction. Instead of relying on a living animal, a bicycle offers a mechanical way to travel, providing freedom and speed with each push of the pedals.

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The Crow-Child
by Mary Mapes Dodge

Midway between a certain blue lake and a deep forest there once stood a cottage, called by its owner “The Rookery.”

The forest shut out the sunlight and scowled upon the ground, breaking with shadows every ray that fell, until only a few little pieces lay scattered about. But the broad lake invited all the rays to come and rest upon her, so that sometimes she shone from shore to shore, and the sun winked and blinked above her, as though dazzled by his own reflection. The cottage, which was very small, had sunny windows and dark windows. Only from the roof could you see the mountains beyond, where the light crept up in the morning and down in the evening, turning all the brooks into living silver as it passed.

But something brighter than sunshine used often…

Based on the passage from "The Crow-Child" by Mary Mapes Dodge, the author uses vivid imagery and personification to create a contrast between the forest and the lake, enhancing the setting's emotional resonance. For example, the phrase "the forest shut out the sunlight and scowled upon the ground" personifies the forest, suggesting a dark, oppressive atmosphere that stifles light and warmth. In contrast, the lake is described as inviting rays of sunlight to "rest upon her," creating an image of a warm, welcoming environment that sparkles and dazzles. This imagery not only establishes a clear dichotomy between the two settings but also sets a tone of both beauty and tension, reflecting the varying emotions and experiences that can be found in nature. The mention of the sunlight transforming brooks into "living silver" further emphasizes the enchanting quality of the lake and the vibrancy of life it fosters. Overall, the figurative language evokes a rich, contrasting landscape that enriches the narrative.