Question 43·Easy·Text Structure and Purpose
After weeks of cloudy nights, the comet finally appeared, faint but unmistakable, above the eastern horizon. Astronomer Leah Kim exclaimed that its arrival was "a whisper from the outer solar system."
Which choice best describes the primary function of the quoted phrase in the sentence?
For questions asking about the function of a quoted phrase, first reread the full sentence and restate the quoted words in your own, simple language. Decide whether the phrase is literal (giving facts, names, or data) or non-literal (creating an image or emotion). Then scan the choices and quickly eliminate any that describe actions the sentence clearly does not perform—such as giving official labels, measurements, or technical explanations when the phrase is clearly descriptive or emotional. Finally, select the choice that best matches what the phrase adds to the sentence’s meaning or tone.
Hints
Focus on the description, not just the quote
Reread the whole sentence, especially the part that describes how the comet looks and then the astronomer’s exclamation. How does the quoted phrase connect to the description 'faint but unmistakable'?
Literal or non-literal?
Ask yourself: can a comet literally whisper? If not, what kind of descriptive technique is being used, and what quality of the comet is that description trying to highlight?
Eliminate clearly unrelated functions
Look at the answer choices and cross out any that talk about things the sentence never mentions, such as official labels, recorded sounds, or detailed scientific breakdowns.
Step-by-step Explanation
Locate the quoted phrase and its context
First, reread the full sentence and focus on the quoted words: 'a whisper from the outer solar system.' Notice what is happening in the sentence: after weeks of cloudy nights, the comet finally appears, and the astronomer reacts by using this phrase.
Figure out what the phrase suggests
Ask yourself what images and feelings the phrase 'a whisper from the outer solar system' creates. A whisper is quiet, soft, and easy to miss. That matches the earlier description of the comet as 'faint but unmistakable,' so the phrase is a non-literal comparison that highlights how gentle and subtle the comet’s appearance is.
Check each choice against what the phrase actually does
Now compare that understanding to the answer choices. Does the phrase give a technical label or code (an official designation)? Does it describe an actual sound that instruments recorded? Does it list elements or materials (like ice, rock, gases) that make up the comet? None of those things are happening in the sentence; the phrase is expressing a reaction and a description, not scientific data.
Match the function to the best answer
Since the phrase is a non-literal comparison that highlights how soft and subtle the comet’s appearance is, the only choice that matches its function is: D) It uses figurative language to emphasize the comet's subtle appearance.