What does the author mean when he write Ten thousand starts I saw at a glance tossing their heads in a sprightly dance?
A. The starts have heads
B. The starts twinkled
C. The starts actually danced as a person
D. The sky was dark
B. The stars twinkled
When the author writes "Ten thousand starts I saw at a glance tossing their heads in a sprightly dance," it means that the stars appeared to be twinkling or moving in a lively manner. So, the correct answer is B. The stars twinkled.
To understand what the author means when he writes "Ten thousand starts I saw at a glance tossing their heads in a sprightly dance," we need to analyze the language used. Let's break it down and consider the options:
A. The stars have heads: This interpretation is unlikely since stars are massive celestial bodies composed mostly of gases and do not possess physical heads.
B. The stars twinkled: Although the phrase "tossing their heads" could allude to the twinkling or flickering of stars, it is not the exact meaning the author intends to convey.
C. The stars actually danced as a person: This option suggests that the stars were moving and dancing in a manner similar to how a person would dance. However, stars do not possess the physical form or ability to dance, so this interpretation is also unlikely.
D. The sky was dark: This interpretation does not capture the imagery described in the phrase "tossing their heads in a sprightly dance." The author indicates movement and vivacity, which contradicts the idea of a dark sky.
Based on the analysis above, option B, "The stars twinkled," appears to be the most appropriate interpretation. "Tossing their heads" implies a lively and animated motion, which aligns with the twinkling characteristic often associated with stars.