Use the paragraph to answer the question.

Kade and Lula took slow, careful steps. All around them, the moonlight kissed the red ivy. The ivy stretched out, strangling the garden bench, the fountain, and the gate—taunting them with its omnipresence. How could they possibly get around without touching it? A few droplets of chilly rain splattered down. Each icy drop seemed to say, “Hurry, hurry. You don’t have long.”

In 3–5 sentences, explain how the author used figurative language to create a specific effect. Make sure to explain what kind of figurative language the author used and the effect it had. Provide samples from the text to support your answer.

(4 points)

The author used personification to create a specific effect in this paragraph. Personification is a type of figurative language that gives human qualities or attributes to non-human objects or concepts. In this case, the author personified the moonlight by saying that it "kissed" the red ivy and the ivy itself was "taunting" them. This personification of both the moonlight and the ivy creates a sense of tension and danger. It emphasizes the idea that the ivy is actively trying to hinder Kade and Lula and adds a sense of urgency to their actions. The effect is to heighten the suspense and make the reader feel more engaged in the characters' predicament.