Question

A fifth-grade class is reading the narrative nonfiction story Can't You Make Them Behave, King George? by Jean Fritz. The story details the life of George IIIthe third, who was king of England when the American Revolution was fought. Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow.

(1) Firm, firm, firm. (2) From now on he would be firm. (3) After the Battle of Lexington and the Battle of Bunker Hill, King George said he felt strong as a lion. (4) People would soon see, he said, that Americans would back down, meek as lambs.
(5) Instead, on July 4, 1776, Americans declared their independence. (6) Naturally King George was annoyed. (7) But he wasn't worried. (8) How could children, however rebellious, succeed against a firm father? (9) How could a few colonies hold out against a powerful empire? (10) He'd just send a few more regiments over and then watch the Americans come around! (11) It never occurred to George the Third that he might not be right. (12) "I wish nothing but good," he once said, "therefore everyone who does not agree with me is a traitor or a scoundrel."

After reading the passage, the teacher asks students to make an inference about what is shown by King George's description of himself in sentence 3 versus his perception of the American colonists in sentence 4.

Which of the following methods initiated by the teacher will best help students make inferences?
A.Discussing the value of the dialogue for providing information
B.Examining the use of a simile to create comparisons
C.Considering the inclusion of many of the capitalized words
D.Analyzing the presence of hyperbole for dramatic effect

Answer 1

The best method for helping students make inferences about King George's self-perception versus his view of the colonists is by examining the use of similes in the text.

Step-by-step explanation:

To infer what is shown by King George's description of himself as feeling strong as a lion versus his perception of the American colonists as meek as lambs, one could look at narrative techniques used in the text. In this instance, the teacher's method of examining the use of a simile to create comparisons would best help students understand the differing perceptions. A simile draws a direct comparison, which in this case, reflects King George's arrogance and underestimation of the colonists' resilience and determination to fight for their independence. Analyzing the use of such literary devices can lead to deeper understanding of the values, attitudes, and assumptions of historical figures.