Final answer:
The simile in the final sentence of the passage is intended to highlight the travelers' unity and cohesion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The simile in the final sentence of the passage, 'bands . . . grass,' is primarily intended to highlight the aspect of the travelers' unity and cohesion. The comparison implies that the travelers are closely bound together, just like bands that tightly hold together. It suggests that the travelers are a tight-knit group, united and moving together through the landscape.
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