Fossil

Flitting, flickering, flashing
black, white, and a note of red
passes beneath trees
that were already old at the end
of the Civil War.
The lovely departed species
announces its fearless
refusal to cease to be.
And as we stand in awe of life's
determination, it hammers
its note of hope against the
dead dry bark that sleeves a meal.
Can an old being be resurrected?
Can a people be saved?
And at what cost?

Why is pecking at a tree described as hammering a “note of hope”?

a. The sound reminds people of someone building a new home for their families.
b. The sound is a reminder that the bird must work to get its food from inside a tree.
c. The sound is a reminder that the ivory-billed woodpecker has survived against the odds.
D. The sound reminds people that the trees have been growing for a very long time.

C

Which literary element appears at the beginning of line 1?

a. Personification
b. Irony
c. Alliteration
d. metaphor

C

How are lines 6–8 an example of personification?

a. The woodpeckers are described as departed, but they are alive.
b. The lines create a vivid image of the woodpecker’s cry.
c. The woodpecker is compared to something lovely.
d. Announcing things is something humans do, not animals.

A

What do the words “it hammers / its note of hope” foreshadow?

a. The logging of the old trees
b. The arrival of a predator
c. The continued struggle for survival
d. The end of conservation programs

C

This answer is wrong.

How are lines 6–8 an example of personification?
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/personification

Your other answers are right.

OK, Thank You So much!

You're welcome.

To answer the question, "Why is pecking at a tree described as hammering a ‘note of hope’?" you would need to look at the context of the provided passage. The lines preceding this statement describe the bird's persistence in pecking at a tree, despite the odds against its survival. The phrase "note of hope" suggests that the bird's actions symbolize a refusal to give up and a determination to continue existing. The sound of the bird pecking is likened to a hammer, which implies a sense of strength and purpose. Additionally, the phrase implies that the bird's actions serve as a reminder that even in difficult circumstances, there is always the potential for hope and resilience.

To determine the correct answer, you would need to consider which option aligns most closely with this interpretation. Based on the provided choices, option C, "The sound is a reminder that the ivory-billed woodpecker has survived against the odds," is the most accurate. The phrase "note of hope" reinforces the idea that the woodpecker's persistent pecking represents its survival against adversity, symbolizing a sense of hope amidst challenges.

To arrive at this answer, it is important to closely analyze the passage and consider the connotations and implications of the phrases used. By examining the context and interpreting the figurative language employed, you can determine the meaning behind the description of pecking as hammering a "note of hope."