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.

Answer 1

The author uses personification in the paragraph to create a specific effect. Personification is when non-human objects are given human qualities. In this paragraph, the author personifies the moonlight when it is described as "kissing" the red ivy. This creates the effect of making the moonlight seem gentle and affectionate. Additionally, the author personifies the raindrops when they are described as saying "Hurry, hurry." This creates the effect of making the raindrops seem urgent and almost ominous. Examples from the text include, "All around them, the moonlight kissed the red ivy" and "Each icy drop seemed to say, 'Hurry, hurry. You don't have long.'"