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Craft and StructureHardFunction of a comparison in a literary passage

Craft and Structure practice question

The following text is from a novel. Miriam kept her grief the way she kept the good china: locked away, taken out on the anniversaries, handled with both hands, and put back before anyone could remark on it.

Which choice best describes the function of the comparison to the good china?

  1. A. It conveys that Miriam treats her grief as something precious, private, and brought out only on set occasions.Correct
  2. B. It indicates that Miriam collects china.
  3. C. It suggests that Miriam's grief is trivial.
  4. D. It implies that Miriam has broken the china.

Answer: A. It conveys that Miriam treats her grief as something precious, private, and brought out only on set occasions.

Locked away, anniversaries, both hands: precious and private.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. It indicates that Miriam collects china.
The china is a comparison.
C. It suggests that Miriam's grief is trivial.
Handled with both hands is the reverse of trivial.
D. It implies that Miriam has broken the china.
Not suggested.

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