Read lines 9 and 10 from “This Life.”

She was always
talking around corners like that;

Which of the following is highlighted in the figurative language used in lines 9 and 10?
A.
a desire to avoid conflicts
B.
the tendency to keep secrets
C.
a strategy to impart wisdom
D.
the ability to create humor

B. the tendency to keep secrets

Read the following lines from “This Life” in which two central ideas of the poem interact.

Don’t let a little pain
stop you; try as hard as you can
every minute you’re given or else
sit down and shut-up—though in her opinion,
keeping quiet in noisy times was a sin

Which of the following best states the two central ideas of the poem?
A.
faith and the power of respect
B.
facts and the dangers of disobedience
C.
obedience and the significance of silence
D.
resiliency and the importance of words

D. resiliency and the importance of words

To answer this question, we need to analyze the figurative language used in lines 9 and 10 of the poem "This Life." Let's break it down.

Line 9: "talking around corners like that;"
Line 10:

In these lines, the phrase "talking around corners" is used as a figure of speech or metaphor. This means that it is not meant to be interpreted literally, but rather symbolically. The use of figurative language helps to convey a deeper meaning and adds richness to the text.

Now, let's consider the options:
A. a desire to avoid conflicts - This option suggests that the speaker is trying to avoid conflicts by talking indirectly. However, this interpretation may not align with the metaphor used in the lines.

B. the tendency to keep secrets - This option suggests that the speaker has a habit of keeping secrets by speaking indirectly. While this is a possibility, it is not explicitly conveyed in the metaphor used.

C. a strategy to impart wisdom - This option implies that the speaker intentionally talks indirectly to impart wisdom. However, there is no indication that the speaker is trying to give wisdom in the metaphor.

D. the ability to create humor - This option suggests that the speaker is using indirect speech to create humor. While it is plausible, the metaphor itself does not strongly indicate humor as the primary purpose.

Upon analysis, it is most fitting to choose option A. a desire to avoid conflicts. The phrase "talking around corners" implies a speaker who is being indirect or evasive in their communication, which could be a strategy to avoid confrontations or conflicts.