Scales shimmered in sunlight.

Meaning: This sentence describes the way the scales of a lizard might reflect the sunlight, creating a shimmering effect.

Choice of Words: Scales are the small, overlapping plates that cover the body of a reptile or fish. Shimmered means to shine with a soft, wavering light. Sunlight is the light from the sun.

Alternative Expressions

The fish's scales glistened in the sun.

Meaning: This means that the scales of the fish were shining and reflecting the sunlight, making them look shiny.

Choice of Words: Fish are animals that live in water. Scales are the small, flat plates that cover the skin of fish. Glistened means to shine or reflect light. Sun is the star that provides light and heat to the Earth. When you put them together, "The fish's scales glistened in the sun" means that the scales of the fish were reflecting the sunlight and making them look shiny.

The snake's scales sparkled in the sunlight.

Meaning: This means that the scales of the snake were shining and reflecting the sunlight, making them look like they were twinkling.

Choice of Words: Snake is a reptile that has no legs. Scales are the small, flat plates that cover the skin of snakes. Sparkled means to shine or reflect light in a way that makes something look like it is twinkling. Sunlight is the light from the sun. When you put them together, "The snake's scales sparkled in the sunlight" means that the scales of the snake were reflecting the sunlight and making them look like they were twinkling.

Related Expressions