The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Based on the provided text and the nature of the question, the correct answer is:
The burning fire suggests the systematic destruction of outdated institutions.
Explanation
Although the underlined sentences containing the figurative language are not visible, we can deduce the correct answer by analyzing the themes presented in the passage about Annie Kopchovsky. The text establishes a clear contrast between the old, restrictive world and the new, progressive one that Annie embraces. The metaphor of a “burning fire” is a powerful image of destruction, transformation, and clearing the way for new growth.
The passage explicitly states that before her journey, Annie wore “full skirts, a corset, and petticoat.” These items were not just clothing; they were symbols of the restrictive social norms and “outdated institutions” that confined women in the late 19th century. They physically limited movement and represented a woman’s prescribed, domestic role. After her journey, Annie wore “bloomers or pants,” which symbolized freedom, mobility, and a radical break from tradition.
When we consider the options, the idea of a “burning fire” powerfully aligns with this transformation. A fire does not merely suggest passion; it actively consumes and destroys. Therefore, the figurative language likely describes how the burgeoning women’s rights movement, and actions like Annie’s, were not just passionate but were actively dismantling the old way of life. The fire metaphor effectively conveys the “systematic destruction” of these confining traditions, like the corset, to make way for a new era of female empowerment and progress. The other options are less fitting. While the movement was born of passion and could be volatile, the metaphor of a fire most directly relates to the theme of eradicating old structures, a central idea established by the contrast in Annie’s clothing and newfound confidence.
