The subject of a sentence is the noun or noun phrase that performs the action. In this sentence, 'The cat' is the entity doing the sleeping, making it the correct subject.

The word 'benevolent' means kindly and well-meaning, which matches the description. The other options refer to negative or neutral traits.

The sentence 'After the rain, the sun came out.' correctly places a comma after the introductory phrase. The other options misplace or misuse commas.

A simile compares two different things using words such as 'as' or 'like'. 'He was as brave as a lion' explicitly makes this comparison, which is why it is correct.

A passage on the impact of social media typically explores how these platforms change how people interact. The correct answer reflects this analysis, whereas the other choices do not capture the main focus.

A semicolon is used to connect two independent clauses. The first option correctly connects two related complete thoughts using a semicolon, while the others either misuse punctuation or conjoin phrases improperly.

Misplaced modifiers occur when descriptive phrases are positioned too far from the words they modify, creating confusion. In the correct sentence, the introductory phrase clearly describes Maria, eliminating any ambiguity.

Figurative language uses comparisons and imaginative descriptions to convey deeper meanings and create vivid images. It enhances the text by expressing abstract ideas rather than providing a literal account.

The term 'arduous' describes tasks that are very challenging or difficult. 'Difficult' is the closest synonym, while the remaining options suggest the opposite meaning.

A humorous tone, often involving satire or wit, is used to critique and entertain at the same time. The correct answer reflects this mix of critique and light-heartedness, unlike the more serious or detached alternatives.

Subject-verb agreement requires the verb to match the subject in number. In this sentence, 'team' is a collective noun that is treated as singular, so it correctly takes the singular verb 'is'.

The revised sentence assigns the action of running to the correct subject by explicitly mentioning 'she'. This correction removes the ambiguity of the original sentence, where the modifier was improperly linked to 'the rain.'

A thesis statement clearly articulates the main argument or claim of an essay and sets the direction for the content that follows. It is not merely a summary, list of details, or conclusion.

The metaphor 'time is a thief' suggests that time stealthily takes away valuable moments in life. It is not meant to be taken literally but is used to evoke a sense of loss and the fleeting nature of time.

In active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action directly. 'James threw the ball' clearly features James as the subject actively performing the verb, making it an active construction.

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience has knowledge that one or more characters do not. The selected scenario demonstrates this contrast between what the audience knows and what the character remains unaware of.

A broken mirror is typically used as a symbol to represent fragmentation, whether of identity or of reality itself. This symbolic meaning contrasts sharply with the ideas of perfection or unity presented in the other options.

A sudden tone shift can highlight differences between themes and evoke a stronger emotional response from the reader. This deliberate change enriches the narrative, unlike the other options which either minimize impact or misinterpret the effect.

The correct revision uses a consistent form for each activity by converting all verbs into gerunds. This maintains parallel structure, whereas the other options mix forms and disrupt the sentence flow.

Anaphora is the rhetorical device involving the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses to create emphasis. The other devices serve different functions, making anaphora the correct choice for this description.