What is the most prominent figurative language element in this excerpt from the poem "The First Snowfall" by James Russell Lowell? Every pine and fir and hemlock Wore ermine too dear for an earl, And the poorest twig on the elm-tree Was ridged inch deep with pearl.

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What is the most prominent figurative language element in this excerpt from the poem “The First Snowfall” by James Russell Lowell?

Every pine and fir and hemlock

Wore ermine too dear for an earl,

And the poorest twig on the elm-tree

Was ridged inch deep with pearl.  

a. simile

b. alliteration

c. synecdoche

d. personification

e. hyperbole

The most prominent figurative language in the excerpt is:

D. personification.

Explanation:

Let's take a look at the other options first so that we can safely eliminate them. A simile is a comparison that relies on words such as "like" or "as". Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds in words that are close to each other in the structure. Synecdoche uses a part to represent a whole (when we say "wheels" to mean a "car", for instance). Finally, hyperbole is an exaggeration that emphasizes something.

None of the options above is found in the excerpt. However, there is personification in the first two lines:

Every pine and fir and hemlock

Wore ermine too dear for an earl,

Personification is a figure of speech in which human qualities are attributed to inanimate objects or animals. In this case, the speaker says that plants are "wearing" a type of fur, which is something humans do - or did, before we became more environmentally aware. Since a pine cannot actually wear a coat made of fur, we can say the speaker is using personification here.

greywater is gently used water from your bathroom sinks, showers, tubs, and washing machines. it is not water that has come into contact with feces, either from the toilet or from washing diapers. greywater may contain traces of dirt, food, grease, hair, and certain household cleaning products.

hey there,

your answer is a) today we hope for clear skies.

let's look at the word(s) progressive verb. progressive means its happening right now. it is not going to happen and it has not already happened. it is happening right now. the sentence "today we hope" in option a is an example of a progressing verb. they are hoping right now. options b, c and d are not progressing verbs. they contain the words have, roared and will be. those words tell us that it has either happened or will happen. a is your answer.

best of luck,

- i.a. -