Use the passage from “The Cumberland” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to answer the question.

Which lines from the beginning of this poem use figurative language to describe the strength of the attacking ship, the Merrimac?

(1 point)
Responses

“Then far away to the south uprose / A little feather of snow-white smoke,”
“Then far away to the south uprose / A little feather of snow-white smoke,”

“We are not idle, but send her straight. / Defiance back in a full broadside!”
“We are not idle, but send her straight. / Defiance back in a full broadside!”

“At anchor in Hampton Roads we lay, / On board of the Cumberland, sloop-of-war;”
“At anchor in Hampton Roads we lay, / On board of the Cumberland , sloop-of-war;”

“As hail rebounds from a roof of slate, / Rebounds our heavier hail / From each iron scale / Of the monster’s hide.”

1 answer

The lines that use figurative language to describe the strength of the attacking ship, the Merrimac, are:

“As hail rebounds from a roof of slate, / Rebounds our heavier hail / From each iron scale / Of the monster’s hide.”

This passage employs a simile comparing the Merrimac’s strength to a roof of slate, suggesting its formidable armor.