The passage discusses how the author uses language to evoke a sense of place and time in the reader's mind. The author uses specific details to paint a vivid picture of the setting, and the author uses sensory language to appeal to the reader's senses. However, the author also uses figurative language to create a more abstract and symbolic effect. The author’s use of figurative language is evident in the following excerpt from the passage: "The sky was a canvas of deep blue, dotted with the silver stars." The sentence uses a simile to compare the night sky to a canvas, which is a metaphor for the vastness of the universe. In this way, the author is able to create a sense of wonder and awe in the reader's mind. Why does the author use figurative language?

SAT · English · previous-year question