Question

(16) and i barely knew how to write! so i should never learn! i must stop short where i was! how angry i was with myself because of the time i had wasted, the lessons i had missed, running about after nests, or sliding on the saar! my books, which only a moment before i thought so tiresome, so heavy to carry—my grammar, my sacred history—seemed to me now like old friends, from whom i should be terribly grieved to part.
how does the use of personification in the underlined words affect the meaning of the passage?

a. it demonstrates frantz’s realization that books are more important than anything else.

b. it suggests that frantz always secretly loved reading but did not want his teacher to know.

c. it shows that learning history and mastering grammar are important life skills for frantz.

d. it emphasizes that not being able to learn french will have a major impact on frantz.

Explanation:

1. Analyze Option A: The passage uses personification by treating books (grammar, sacred history) as old friends. This shows Frantz now values these books highly, realizing their importance. The text mentions his regret for wasted time and missing lessons, leading to seeing books as dear, like friends he'd grieve to part with, aligning with realizing books' great importance.
2. Analyze Option B: The passage says he "barely knew how to write" and thought books were "tiresome" before, so there's no indication he "always secretly loved reading". Eliminate B.
3. Analyze Option C: The personification is about his emotional connection to the books (liking old friends), not about history/grammar being "life skills" in a practical sense. The focus is on his changed feelings towards the books, not their utility as skills. Eliminate C.
4. Analyze Option D: The passage is about his regret over missed lessons and newfound attachment to his books (grammar, sacred history), not specifically about learning French. The underlined part is about the books, not French learning impact. Eliminate D.

Answer:

A. It demonstrates Frantz’s realization that books are more important than anything else.