The likeliest reason the author uses the phrase "a gross exaggeration" in paragraph 1 is that he wants to clear up confusion about an issue.
The word "exaggeration" means making something appear bigger than it actually is, so if the author describes something as being a gross exaggeration, then it means he wants to clear up confusion about an issue.
What is the most likely purpose for the poet's use of symbolism? to compare two kinds of birds. to refer to complex life experiences. to use nature to describe human behavior. to show how the sounds of birds are like the human voice.
