Question

to interpret an idiom, a reader must

study the play on words.
study individual words.
study the words as a whole.
study traits that the words reveal.

Explanation:

Define the nature of an idiom

An idiom is a common phrase or expression with a figurative meaning that cannot be understood from the literal definitions of its individual words.

Evaluate the options based on the definition

• Studying a play on words refers to puns, not idioms.
• Studying individual words fails because the literal meaning of individual words does not reveal the figurative meaning of the idiom.
• Studying the words as a whole allows the reader to understand the figurative, established meaning of the entire phrase.
• Studying traits that the words reveal is unrelated to interpreting figurative phrases.

Answer:

• study the play on words.
• study individual words.
• study the words as a whole. (Correct answer)
• study traits that the words reveal.