This question is based on the following paragraph.
the back yard was covered in late afternoon sunlight. the leaves danced in the trees, delighted that spring had finally arrived. the tulips were bright slashes of color like a child's crayon drawing. in the garden, the first green shoots were pushing out of the soil to greet the warmth of the sun. sitting on the porch swing, i drank in the beauty of nature, a delicious treat.
which sentence from the paragraph is an example of a simile?
a. the leaves danced in the trees, delighted that spring had finally arrived.
b. the tulips were bright slashes of color like a child's crayon drawing.
c. in the garden, the first green shoots were pushing out of the soil to greet the warmth of the sun.
d. the back yard was covered in late afternoon sunlight.

Read the excerpts from part 3 of "an occurrence at owl creek bridge." a rising sheet of water curved over him, fell down upon him, blinded him, strangled him! the cannon had taken a hand in the game. as he shook his head free from the commotion of the smitten water he heard the deflected shot humming through the air ahead, and in an instant it was cracking and smashing the branches in the forest beyond. *** a whiz and rattle of grapeshot among the branches high above his head roused him from his dream. the baffled cannoneer had fired him a random farewell. he sprang to his feet, rushed up the sloping bank, and plunged into the forest. *** as he is about to clasp her he feels a stunning blow upon the back of the neck; a blinding white light blazes all about him with a sound like the shock of a cannon—then all is darkness and silence! what function does the motif of the cannon serve throughout the story? the cannon continually pushes farquhar to continue his journey through his dream and back to reality. the cannon encourages farquhar to investigate whether his escape was a dream or reality. the cannon reminds farquhar that time is subjective and encourages him to move quickly in order to reach his home. the cannon represents farquhar’s romantic dream that he escaped his execution and will return home.