Read the passage. 'Lena waited backstage for the play to start. Her stomach was full of butterflies.' What does 'her stomach was full of butterflies' really mean?

• She ate a strange lunch before the play
• She felt nervous and fluttery inside
• Butterflies flew into the theater

Which sentence contains a metaphor?

• The pond was as smooth as glass on that still morning
• The pond was smooth and still all morning long
• The pond was a sheet of glass on that still morning

Which sentence contains a simile?

• Her smile was a ray of sunshine on a gray morning
• Her smile was like a ray of sunshine on a gray morning
• Her smile lit up the whole room on that cold gray morning

A metaphor uses the word 'like' or 'as' to compare two things.

An author writes: 'The old house crouched at the end of the street, watching every visitor with dark, hollow eyes.' What tone does this word choice create?

• Menacing
• Cheerful
• Calm

When Sam refused to share his fries, his friends groaned, 'Don't be such a Scrooge.' What do his friends mean?

• Sam is being generous, like a story character known for giving
• His friends think his real name is Scrooge and are calling him
• Sam is being stingy, like a story character who hated sharing

An author wants the hallway to feel frightening. Which choice fits best? 'The lights ___ in the empty hallway.'

• glowed warmly
• sparkled brightly
• flickered

After carrying all the grocery bags in one trip, Mateo grinned and called his grandmother 'a real Hercules.' What does this allusion tell you?

• She is very strong, like the hero whose name is being borrowed
• She is from Greece, so the name gives her a national identity
• She loves grocery shopping, so the name describes her favorite activity

Read the passage. 'Sunlight spilled across the porch. The cat purred like a tiny engine, and the cocoa steamed in my hands.' What mood do these word choices create?

• Tense and worried, because all three details signal danger and uncertainty
• Cozy and safe, because the details feel warm, soft, and pleasant
• Gloomy and gray, because the passage removes all light and comfort

An author writes: 'Mara whispered the plan, glancing at the door.' Why did the author most likely choose 'whispered' instead of 'said'?

• To show that Mara had a sore throat
• To make the moment feel secret and careful
• To make the sentence shorter