What is an example of personification?

Personification is a literary device where human qualities are attributed to non-human entities or inanimate objects. In the given options, the phrase "The wind whispered through the trees" is an excellent example because it assigns the human action of "whispering" to the wind, which is a natural element that cannot literally whisper. This creative use of language allows the reader to connect with the scene more vividly, as it evokes a sense of gentleness and intimacy in nature.

The other choices describe natural phenomena and attributes without imbuing them with human characteristics. "The river flowed rapidly" simply states the action of the river without any human trait. "The mountain stood tall" describes the mountain's presence but does not give it human-like behavior. "The sun set in the west" is a straightforward statement about the sun's position without any anthropomorphic qualities. By contrasting these, it becomes clear why the first option is the only instance of personification.