Figurative Language Review

Figurative Language

You don't say what you mean, and statements contain comparisons, exaggerations, and figurative elements like similes, metaphors, hyperboles, and other figures of speech to make writing more exiting.

Figurative

You say exactly what you mean, and statements are free from comparison or exaggerations.

​Literal

Literal vs. Figurative Language

Multiple Select

Select all the options that contain literal language.

• Grant always turns in his homework.

• The water was rising in the river because of the rain.

• Her teeth are like stars because they come out at night.

• When she sings, her voice is like velvet.

Multiple Select

Select all the options that contain figurative language.

• Half of the class did not complete the assignment.

• I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!

• Mike was so angry that steam was coming out of his ears.

• The zebras cried when the wise old elephant died.

• Her eyes were like stars.

• Susan is as gentle as a kitten.

​Examples

comparing two things using the words "like" or "as."

​Definition

Simile

• He's a lion when he fights.

• Her eyes were sparkling emeralds.

• My love is a red, red rose.

Examples

comparing two unlike things without using "like" or "as." Saying one thing is something else.

​Definition

Metaphor

Multiple Choice

The street cars are like frosted cakes covered with snowflakes.

• Simile

• Metaphor

Multiple Choice

A train is a dragon that roars through the dark.

• Simile

• Metaphor

Multiple Choice

The water was a glove that enveloped the swimmer's body.

• Similie

• Metaphor

Multiple Choice

The ice in the arena was as smooth as glass.

• Simile

• Metaphor

• This bag weighs a ton.

• I've told you a million times to clean up your room.

Examples

an exaggeration so dramatic, no one could believe it. Statements are overstated to emphasize a point.

​Definition

Hyperbole

• act naturally

• jumbo shrimp

• climb down

• adult child

Examples

words or phrases in which contradictory or opposite terms are used together.

Definition

Oxymoron

• There is a silver lining in every cloud.

• The test was a piece of cake.

• After he broke the window, he knew he'd be in hot water.

​A word or phrase that means something different than its literal meaning.

Idioms

• The angry flood waters slapped the house.

• The sun smiled down on us.

• The opportunity knocked at his door.

• The plants in her house silently begged to be watered.

Examples

giving human characteristics to things that are not human.

Definition

Personification

Multiple Choice

When the pitcher finished nine innings, he was hungry enough to eat a horse.

• Hyperbole

• Oxymoron

• Idiom

• Personification

Multiple Choice

I went to the story to buy eggs, but they cost an arm and a leg!

• Hyperbole

• Oxymoron

• Idiom

• Personification

Multiple Choice

We ate catfish for dinner.

• Hyperbole

• Oxymoron

• Idiom

• Personification

Multiple Choice

While watching the movie, Brandon had a sad smile on his face.

• Hyperbole

• Oxymoron

• Idiom

• Personification

Multiple Choice

The band played to a small crowd at the concert.

• Hyperbole

• Oxymoron

• Idiom

• Personification

Multiple Choice

Justice is blind, and at times, deaf.

• Hyperbole

• Oxymoron

• Idiom

• Personification

Multiple Choice

She was so focused on her work that when the phone rang, it scared her half to death.

• Hyperbole

• Oxymoron

• Idiom

• Personification

Multiple Choice

The cactus saluted any visitor brave enough to travel the scorched land.

• Hyperbole

• Oxymoron

• Idiom

• Personification

Multiple Choice

Rachel was nervous about her performance, but her boyfriend told her to break a leg.

• Hyperbole

• Oxymoron

• Idiom

• Personification

Multiple Choice

After the marathon, the runner was thirsty enough to drink the ocean.

• Hyperbole

• Oxymoron

• Idiom

• Personification

Multiple Choice

She studied so hard, and as a result, the test was a piece of cake!

• Hyperbole

• Oxymoron

• Idiom

• Personification

Multiple Choice

The lion had a quiet roar.

• Hyperbole

• Oxymoron

• Idiom

• Personification

Multiple Choice

Peggy heard the last piece of cheesecake in the refrigerator calling her name.

• Hyperbole

• Oxymoron

• Idiom

• Personification

Multiple Choice

I have told you a million times to not touch my stuff.

• Hyperbole

• Oxymoron

• Idiom

• Personification

• A fire station burns down.

• A marriage counselor files for divorce.

• A dentist has crooked teeth.

• The police station gets robbed.

Examples

• when a statement made is directly contradictory to the reality.

• conveys a style of sarcasm

Definition

Irony

Multiple Choice

This is an example of irony:

A pilot has a fear of heights.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

This is an example of irony:

The sun is shining on a Monday.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

This is an example of irony:

A traffic cop gets his license revoked due to unpaid parking tickets.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

An English teacher has poor grammar and writing skills.

• Irony

• Oxymoron

• Hyperbole

• pow

• zoom

• hiss

• buzz

• meow

Examples

• the use of a word to describe or imitate a natural sound made by an object or action.

• words that sound like what they mean.

​Definition

Onomatopoeia

• Miss Warren was worried when Wendy was waiting.

• Rubber baby buggy bumpers.

• Peter Piper picked a pack of pickled peppers.

• Clean and clear

​Examples

• the repeating of the same letter or sound, especially consonant sounds

• tongue twisters

Definition

Alliteration

Alliteration in Poetry

A flea and a fly in a flue

Were imprisoned, so what could they do?

Said the fly, "Let us flee!"

"Let us fly," said the flea;

So, they flew through a flaw in the flue.