Question

5 - a - day language review: week 15
① first identify if the following sentence is a simile or a metaphor: □ simile ■ metaphor
then underline the two objects that are being compared to each other.
waves of spam e - mails filled her e - mail account.
② find the origin and meaning of the idiom. then use it in a sentence. “hold your feet to the fire”
origin:

meaning:

sentence:

③ disinterested → prefix: __ base or root: suffix: __
④ circle the misspelled word and write it correctly in the space below.
murmur busey crystal
⑤ choose the synonym for: alter maintain break change create

Explanation:

1. A metaphor directly compares two unlike things without using "like" or "as". Here, "spam e - mails" are compared to "waves" without such comparative words.
2. The idiom "hold your feet to the fire" originated from the literal act of forcing someone to endure pain (holding feet near fire). It means to put pressure on someone, to make them take action or be accountable. For example, "The boss held the employees' feet to the fire to meet the project deadline."
3. For the word "disinterested", the prefix is "dis -" (which often means not or opposite of), the base or root is "interest" (the core meaning of the word related to being concerned or having a stake), and there is no suffix.
4. The misspelled word is "busey", the correct spelling is "busy".
5. The synonym of "alter" is "change" as both mean to make something different.

Answer:

1. Metaphor. Underlined objects: "waves" and "spam e - mails".
2. Origin: From the literal act of holding feet near fire (to cause pain). Meaning: To put pressure on someone, make them take action/accountable. Sentence: The teacher held the students' feet to the fire to study for the exam.
3. Prefix: dis -; Base or root: interest; Suffix: (none).
4. Misspelled word: busey; Correct: busy.
5. change.