20. How does the figurative language in the last three lines of the poem "So I stand strong like a tree my baby brothers can lean on. I try to be the raft that helps carry them over this life's rough rivers." contribute to its overall meaning? The speaker is trying to be strong for his mother The speaker emphasizes the importance of the speaker's role in his family, and the support he provides for his brothers. The speaker is comparing his life to a raft being carried over rough rivers All of the above

I believe the best choice is:

D. All of the above.

Explanation:

Let's take a brief look at the poem "David's Old Soul", by Nikki Grimes:

As far back as I can remember, my

mother has called me “an old soul.”

I never understood. But now that our family has

dwindled to just Mom and us kids, I’ve grown

into a man. You do what you have to. “David, dig deep,”

is the whisper in my ear. So I stand strong like

a tree my baby brothers can lean on. I try to be the

raft that helps carry them over this life’s rough rivers.

The speaker of the poem realizes the need to be strong, to grow "into a man". His mother and his baby brothers need him to be reliable, now that it is only them, now that their family has "dwindled". He is trying to show readers he has a crucial role in his family. His strength and determination create a solid foundation for his mother and brothers to support themselves upon. The speaker's own life is compared to a raft. He is the one carrying everyone, facing the current while keeping them safe. For that reason, all of the options are correct, which leads us to choose letter D. All of the above.

the answer is "began" because it is a action that can be done