Question

1. “after they’d had their share of the food, they slid a tray over to our end of the blanket, their faces contrite. it was their way. they were often hotheaded but also fast to regret their harsh words; this was their peace offering of sort” (79).

what phrase in this sentence best helps in understanding the meaning of contrite? (l.8.5b)
a. regret their harsh words
b. often hotheaded
c. had their share of the food
d. they slid the tray over

1. “pita squirmed miserably beside me like a cocooned butterfly trying to break free” (78).

why does the author compare pita to a cocooned butterfly? (rl.8.4)
a. to emphasize how beautiful she is
b. to emphasize that she is still growing
c. to emphasize how trapped she feels
d. to emphasize that she will soon transform

1. “the mariposas swirled and twirled around us like dark snowflakes in the surreal light of dusk, making the moment almost magical in its beauty” (80).

why does the author compare the butterflies to snowflakes? (rl.8.4)
a. to highlight how cold it is outside
b. to highlight the beauty of the moment
c. to highlight how tiny the butterflies are
d. to highlight how confused the girls are

Explanation:

• For question 4: The word "contrite" means feeling or expressing remorse. The phrase "regret their harsh words" helps in understanding this as regret is related to being remorseful.
• For question 5: A cocooned butterfly trying to break free gives the image of being trapped. So, comparing Pita to that emphasizes how trapped she feels.
• For question 6: The sentence mentions "making the moment almost magical in its beauty". Comparing butterflies to snowflakes in this context is to highlight the beauty of the moment.

Answer:

1. a. regret their harsh words
2. c. to emphasize how trapped she feels
3. b. to highlight the beauty of the moment