The Scarlet Ibis

The Scarlet Ibis

Read the excerpt from “The Scarlet Ibis.”

That summer, the summer of 1918, was blighted. In May and June there was no rain and the crops withered, curled up, then died under the thirsty sun. One morning in July a hurricane came out of the east, tipping over the oaks in the yard and splitting the limbs of the elm trees. That afternoon it roared back out of the west, blew the fallen oaks around, snapping their roots and tearing them out of the earth like a hawk at the entrails of a chicken. Cotton bolls were wrenched from the stalks and lay like green walnuts in the valleys between the rows, while the cornfield leaned over uniformly so that the tassels touched the ground. Doodle and I followed Daddy out into the cotton field, where he stood, shoulders sagging, surveying the ruin. When his chin sank down onto his chest, we were frightened, and Doodle slipped his hand into mine. Suddenly Daddy straightened his shoulders, raised his giant knuckly fist, and with a voice that seemed to rumble out of the earth itself began cursing heaven, hell, the weather, and the Republican Party. Doodle and I, prodding each other and giggling, went back to the house, knowing that everything would be all right.

Which phrases are examples of sensory imagery that make the details of the setting more vivid? Check all that apply.

crops withered, curled up, then died under the thirsty sun
morning in July a hurricane came out of the east
snapping their roots and tearing them out of the earth
a voice that seemed to rumble out of the earth itself
prodding each other and giggling, went back to the house
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crops withered, curled up, then died under the thirsty sun

snapping their roots and tearing them out of the earth

a voice that seemed to rumble out of the earth itself