Question

which statement best interprets the meaning of the metaphor in this sentence?

louisas car was a dinosaur, yet each time it broke down, she spent hours fixing it.

a. louisa is a good mechanic.
b. louisas car is large.
c. louisas car is old.
d. louisa needs a new car.

Explanation:

Identify the metaphor

The sentence contains the metaphor "Louisa's car was a dinosaur." This directly compares the car to a dinosaur without using "like" or "as."

Analyze the meaning of the metaphor

Dinosaurs are ancient, extinct creatures from the distant past. When an object like a car is metaphorically described as a "dinosaur," it implies that the object is extremely old, outdated, or obsolete.

Evaluate the options

• Option A ("Louisa is a good mechanic") describes her actions (fixing it), not the metaphor itself.
• Option B ("Louisa's car is large") is a literal trait of some dinosaurs but does not capture the common figurative meaning of the metaphor in this context.
• Option C ("Louisa's car is old") directly aligns with the figurative meaning of "dinosaur" as ancient or outdated.
• Option D ("Louisa needs a new car") is a reasonable inference based on the situation, but it does not directly interpret the specific metaphor "was a dinosaur."

Answer:

• A. Louisa is a good mechanic.
• B. Louisa's car is large.
• C. Louisa's car is old. (Correct answer)
• D. Louisa needs a new car.