12. The narrator's decision was fortuitous because b. Her sons learned many valuable life lessons.
Thanks to Ms. Pugh's strict ways and temperament, they changed from being rude kids to being responsible and considerate. No matter if they become great dancers, they have already become great persons.
13. The description of the literary technique used in the sentece is b. Figurative, meaning not intended to be interpreted in its literal sense.
The term "species" is regularly used for plants and animals. In this case, kids have not literally changed into a different "species", since they cannot change from human form into another. What the narrator tries to infer is that their behavior changed so drastically that they turned into completely different people, in a positive way, of course.
