does it stink like rotten meat? makes use of the sense of

Analyze the question: The line is "Does it stink like rotten meat?" (from Langston Hughes's poem "Harlem"). The question asks which sense the line appeals to. This is a question on imagery, the use of language that appeals to the five senses.

Explain the concept: Imagery in literature includes:

• Visual imagery appeals to sight
• Auditory imagery appeals to hearing
• Olfactory imagery appeals to smell
• Gustatory imagery appeals to taste
• Tactile imagery appeals to touch

Solution:

1. The key word in the line is "stink", which describes a bad odour.
2. "Rotten meat" strengthens this by giving a familiar example of a foul smell.
3. A stink is something we perceive with the nose, so the sense involved is smell.
4. Taste could be tempting because rotten meat is food. However, the line talks about stinking, not about eating or flavour. Nothing in it describes how something tastes.

This is olfactory imagery. The poet uses it to suggest that a dream deferred (put off or denied) can decay and become unpleasant, like food left to spoil.

Answer: The correct option is D. smell.

Tip: In imagery questions, look for the sensory word in the line. Words like "stink," "fragrant," and "aroma" point to smell. "Sweet," "bitter," and "sour" point to taste. "Rough," "cold," and "smooth" point to touch. "Bright" and "dark" point to sight.