Question

we always started with the easy words i had already learned, and which i wrote down and read from the slate. the new ones i had to listen to first, putting them together as well as i could from the sounds. at the end of the lesson i had to listen to the formidable words that sounded more like trapezes in full swing.
—barrio boy, ernesto galarza

what does the simile at the end of the passage mean? answer by completing the sentence.
galarza compares the words to trapezes in full swing to explain that
he learned the first words very quickly
the last words were easy for him to learn
his teacher was going too slowly
the harder words made no sense to him

Explanation:

Analyze the context and the simile

The passage describes a progression of learning words: starting with "easy" words, moving to "new ones" that require listening and putting sounds together, and ending with "formidable words that sounded more like trapezes in full swing." The word "formidable" means inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or difficult. Comparing these difficult words to "trapezes in full swing" suggests they are complex, moving, and hard to catch or understand.

Evaluate the given options

• "he learned the first words very quickly": This refers to the beginning of the passage, not the meaning of the simile at the end.
• "the last words were easy for him to learn": Incorrect, as the last words are described as "formidable."
• "his teacher was going too slowly": There is no mention of the teacher's speed in relation to this simile.
• "the harder words made no sense to him": Correct, as "formidable words" that sound like "trapezes in full swing" are too complex, wild, and difficult to grasp or make sense of.

Answer:

• he learned the first words very quickly
• the last words were easy for him to learn
• his teacher was going too slowly
• the harder words made no sense to him (Correct answer)