How to gain focus on class? how to understand what i'm reading

What is a brief and often humorous statement of truth or opinion, such as "a watched pot never boils"

Which line in this excerpt from the great gatsby by f. scott fitzgerald contains a simile? about half way between west egg and new york the motor-road hastily joins the railroad and runs beside it for a quarter of a mile, so as to shrink away from a certain desolate area of land. this is a valley of ashes—a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air. occasionally a line of grey cars crawls along an invisible track, gives out a ghastly creak and comes to rest, and immediately the ash-grey men swarm up with leaden spades and stir up an impenetrable cloud which screens their obscure operations from your sight.

Tori is writing a literary analysis of the novel little women. read the following claim statement she wrote about the story. in little women, louisa may alcott uses figurative language to readers understand the feelings and experiences of the central characters. which quote from the story can tori use as evidence to support her claim? a. “she knew it very well, for it was that beautiful old story of the best life ever lived, and jo felt that it was a true guidebook for any pilgrim going on a long journey.” b. “‘and so nice of annie moffat not to forget her promise. a whole fortnight of fun will be regularly splendid,’ replied jo, looking like a windmill as she folded skirts with her long arms.” c. “‘rather a pleasant year on the whole! ’ said meg, smiling at the fire, and congratulating herself on having treated mr. brooke with dignity.” d. “‘what are you thinking of, beth? ’ asked jo, when amy had her father and told about her ring.”