literal language vs. figurative language

literal language vs. figurative language

Literal Language vs. Figurative Language

Lenguaje literal y lenguaje figurado

Literal language means exactly what it says, while figurative language uses similes, metaphors, hyperbole, and personification to describe something often through comparison with something different.

Literal

My brother does nothing much with his free time other than sit on the couch.

Figurative

My brother is a couch potato.

"Couch potato"

The boy being discussed is obviously not literally a couch potato. But we use figurative ideas like this to be expressive. A potato has certain connotations...

Multiple Choice

"I have lots of homework to complete."

• Literal

• Figurative

Multiple Choice

"I have a mountain of homework to complete."

• Literal

• Figurative

Multiple Choice

1. The true meaning of words is called...

• hyperbole

• literal meaning

• figurative language

• non-literal meanings

Multiple Select

Words that do not mean what they say are called...

• hyperbole

• figurative language

• literal words

• non-literal language

Multiple Choice

Read the text below. Is it an example of LITERAL or FIGURATIVE language?

"Andrea's little brother is a cute teddy bear in the morning, but he somehow turns into a roaring lion in the afternoon!"

• literal

• figurative

Multiple Choice

Read the text below. Is it an example of LITERAL or FIGURATIVE language?

"Peter is a really nice person. He always helps me carry my groceries home from the supermarket."

• literal

• figurative

Multiple Choice

What is the literal meaning of this phrase:

My brother was ready to hit the hay.

• He was really tired.

• He was really hitting the hay.

• He was laying on hay.

• He was playing in hay.

Multiple Choice

What is the non-literal (figurative) meaning of this phrase:

My brother was ready to hit the hay.

• He was really tired.

• He was really hitting the hay.

• He was laying on hay.

• He was playing in hay.

Multiple Choice

What is the non-literal (figurative) meaning of this phrase:

It cost my mom an arm and a leg to buy that new game.

• The mom paid with an arm and a leg.

• It did not cost a lot.

• It was free.

• It cost a lot.

Multiple Choice

What is the literal meaning of this phrase:

It cost my mom an arm and a leg to buy that new game.

• The mom paid with an arm and a leg.

• It did not cost a lot.

• It was free.

• It cost a lot.