Read the excerpts below and answer the question. junto noun (pl. juntos) historical a political grouping or faction, esp. in 17th - and 18th-century Britain. The opinions of this junto were completely controlled by Nicholas Vedder, a patriarch of the village, and landlord of the inn, at the door of which he took his seat from morning till night, just moving sufficiently to avoid the sun, and keep in the shade of a large tree; so that the neighbors could tell the hour by his movements as accurately as by a sun-dial. In this excerpt from "Rip Van Winkle," what best describes the way Irving uses the word junto to describe the men who meet every day at the bench in front of the inn? Select all that apply. a literal comparison a figurative comparison friends who form a tight-knit group a group of men with shared political interests

The way the word "junto" is used in the excerpt suggests that:

- it is meant as a figurative comparison. The comparison is meant to show that the men that meet in front of the inn appear to have a tight bond, the type that share those who belonged in a junto: a bond based on common beliefs, principles and a shared view on social and political life.

- also, it refers to friends who form a tight-knit group. Those who belonged to a junto were moved by similar views on politics, which affects all aspects of life. In juntos people had each others back and would always stand up for one another.

Wether this group of men shared political interests (as it says in the last option) is hard to say based solely on this excerpt. If these men indeed share political interests, then not only would the last option have to be included as the correct answer but also the first: "a literal comparison".