Figurative Language: Study Guide (Simile, Met., Hyperb., Pers.)

Figurative Language

Review:

Similes, Metaphors, Personification, and Hyperbole

There are many forms of figurative language.

We use figurative language to make our language more creative and interesting. Figurative language is the opposition of literal language, which is everyday language.

Similes

Similes are the comparison of two seemingly unlike things using words such as "like", "as", or "as if." Somehow the two things or topics share a similarity of some kind.

• Example 1: Her heart is like gold.

  • Literal Meaning: She is an honorable and kind person.

• Example 2: The world is like a stage.

  • Literal Meaning: In life, each person has a unique role in life.

• Example 3: He eats like a pig.

  • Literal Meaning: He is a messy eater.

• Example 4: Josias bounced around on the soccer field like a rabbit.

  • Literal Meaning: Josias moved quickly and agilely on the soccer field.

Metaphors

Metaphors are the comparison of two seemingly unlike things without using words such as "like", "as", or "as if." Somehow the two things or topics share a similarity of some kind.

• Example 1: You are my sunshine.

  • Literal Meaning: You make my day happy in many ways.

• Example 2: The classroom is a zoo.

  • Literal Meaning: The classroom is noisy, messy, and disorganized because of the wild students.

• Example 3: Ricardo is a night owl.

  • Literal Meaning: Ricardo likes to stay up late and night after others have gone to sleep.

Personification

Personification gives human characteristics to a nonhuman subject. The nonhuman subject performs an action of some kind that it would not be able to do in reality. In almost all examples, to personify something, an action verb is used.

• Example 1: Lightning danced across the sky.

  • Literal Meaning: People could see many bolts of lightning in the sky.

• Example 2: The wind howled in the night.

  • Literal Meaning: It was a noisy night because of the wind.

• Example 3: The car complained as the key was roughly turned in its ignition.

  • Literal Meaning: The person started the car with its noisy engine.

Hyperbole

Hyperbole uses extreme exaggeration to create a strong emotional response from the reader and to make a description obvious.

• Example 1: Jeremy is such a slacker that he hasn't done his homework in three years!

  • Literal Meaning: Jeremy rarely complete his homework.

• Example 2: My grandfather came over to America with the Pilgrims on the Mayflower.

  • Literal Meaning: My grandfather is quite old.

• Example 3: Gary was so hungry that he started to chew on the table before the waitress brought out our food.

  • Literal Meaning: Gary was very hungry and could barely wait to his his meal.

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Similes & Metaphors

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Personification

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Hyperbole

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Match

Match the forms of figurative language to the correct definition.

• This is a comparison of two unlike topics or things which uses the words "like" or "as."

•  This is a comparison of two unlike topics or things without using the words "like" or "as." Stating one object is another object.

• This form of figurative language gives the traits of a human to objects or animals which are not humans to make a comparison.

• This form of figurative exaggeration is used for urgency and importance.

Simile

Metaphor

Personification

hyperbole

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

• hyperbole

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

Her hands were as cold as ice after the hayride.

• simile

• metaphor

• personification

• hyperbole

Match

Match the forms of figurative language with examples of each.

• I’m as hungry as a pig.

• I am a bear when I nap after exercise.

• Time waits for no man.

• I just ate an ice cream cone the size of Texas!

Simile

Metaphor

Personification

hyperbole

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

• hyperbole

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

The ice sculptor’s hands fluttered like hummingbird wings.

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

• Personification

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

The candle flame danced in the dark.

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

• Personification

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

Pam was skinny enough to jump through a keyhole.

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

• Personification

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

She was fairly certain that life was a fashion show.

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

• Personification

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

Thunder grumbled, and raindrops reported for duty as the hurricane moved towards the Jersey Shore.

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

• Personification

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

She hung her head like a dying flower.

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

• Personification

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

The politician's words were bullets to his opponent.

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

• Personification

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

The sunflowers nodded in the wind.

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

• Personification

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

Victor never stops talking!

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

• Personification

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

Her laughter was like a warm blanket on this cold, winter night.

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

• Personification

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

The wind whispered the rumors of the forest.

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

• Personification

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

The train screamed down the tracks.

• simile

• metaphor

• personification

• hyperbole

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

Legolas's arrow shot from his bow like a flash of lightning.

• simile

• metaphor

• personification

• hyperbole

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of personification?

• You are as a beautiful as a flower.

• The trees danced in the wind.

• I waited in line for 10 years!

• He is an encyclopedia of knowledge. 

Multiple Choice

What is personification?

• Making a comparison of two unlike without using "like" or "as"

• Giving human characteristics to non-human things

• Making a comparison of two unlike using "like" or "as"

• An gross exaggeration

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

The flower hugged the earth after being blown over by the storm.

• personification

• hyperbole

• metaphor

• simile

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

The runner ran like a cheetah in the race.

• metaphor

• personification

• simile

• hyperbole

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

Her long hair is an ocean of waves.

• personification

• simile

• hyperbole

• metaphor

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

The waves of the Atlantic Ocean danced in the moonlight.

• personification

• hyperbole

• simile

• metaphor

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

She's as cold as ice and ignores everyone who tries to talk to her.

• Metaphor

• Simile

• Personification

• Hyperbole

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

David shouted so loudly in Melvin's ear that the poor child could not hear for a week!

• Personification

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

• Simile

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

The car groaned as Billy turned the key in the ignition.

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

• Hyperbole

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

Life is a journey, not a destination.

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

• Hyperbole

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

My room is like a prison when I'm grounded.

• Hyperbole

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

The water rushed over the rocks towards the falls.

• Simile

• Personification

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

Teddy dug a hole so deep in the ground that he could see the other side of the world!

• hyperbole

• simile

• metaphor

• personification

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

All the world is a stage, and we are the actors.

• Metaphor

• Simile

• Hyperbole

• Personification

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

Ernestine could feel opportunity knocking at the door, so she began her own Etsy shop!

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

• Simile

• Personification

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

The computer hummed as Humberto worked on his essay.

• Hyperbole

• Metaphor

• Simile

• Personification

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

Erika drew a line as straight as an arrow in art class.

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

• Hyperbole

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

The Sun was beating down on Carlos, so he jumped into his pool.

• Hyperbole

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

The beach is calling my name.

• Simile

• Personification

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

Nicolly's hair danced in the wind, so she had to fix it in the mirror.

• Personification

• Metaphor

• Simile

• Hyperbole

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

Sometimes, the truth is a tough pill to swallow.

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

• Personification

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

Batman has a heart of stone.

• Simile

• Hyperbole

• Metaphor

• Personification

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

The sunlight danced on the water.

• Simile

• Personification

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

She's as sweet as candy and helps anyone in trouble. Jean isn't so nice!

• Personification

• Hyperbole

• Metaphor

• Simile

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

The train screamed down the tracks.

• simile

• metaphor

• personification

• hyperbole

Multiple Choice

What type of figurative language is shown?

Legolas's arrow shot from his bow like a flash of lightning.

• simile

• metaphor

• personification

• hyperbole

Multiple Choice

Writers use ____ to be expressive; they don't use the words or phrases in their everyday use.

• figurative language

• literal language

Multiple Choice

Writers use ____ to be exact and use precise ideas. The words and phrases mean exactly what they state in the sentence.

• figurative language

• literal language

Multiple Choice

The clock on the wall laughed at me as I tried to finish my test before class ended.

What form of figurative language is this an example of?

Multiple Choice

What form of figurative language is this example? "My mom can be as fiery as a volcano when I don't do my chores on time."

Multiple Choice

The dog was a racecar speeding down the street.

What kind of figurative language is this an example of?

Multiple Choice

Select the form of figurative language used in this example:

When Grandpa drives, he is as slow as a turtle.

Multiple Choice

What does this example of hyperbole actually mean?

My mom's going to kill me if I don't get an "A" on the test!

• My mom is actually going to kill me if I don't get an "A" on the test!

• My mom will make me study more if I don't get an "A" on the test!

• My mom's going to be very angry at me if I don't get an "A" on the test!

Multiple Choice

It was so cold that I saw polar bears wearing jackets.

What is this sentence an example of?

Multiple Choice

The car is a dinosaur, so we should buy a new one soon.

What does this example of metaphor mean?

• The car is very old and doesn't operate well anymore.

• The car was truly made in prehistoric times.

• The car is a special car--not too many were made.

• The car is tough, and it is hard to damage.

Multiple Choice

Identify the form of figurative language used in this example:

I'm so happy I could dance to the moon and back

Multiple Select

What two subjects are being compared in this simile?

Her hands were as cold as ice after the hayride.

• hands

• after

• ice

• hayride

Multiple Choice

What is the literal meaning of this simile?

The ice sculptor’s hands fluttered like hummingbird wings.

• The ice sculptor makes art.

• The ice sculptor is working quickly.

• The ice sculptor is learning how to fly.

• The ice sculptor has difficulty staying still for very long.

Multiple Choice

What is the literal meaning of this example of personification?

The candle flame danced in the dark.

• The flame of the candle enjoyed dancing.

• I could see the candle in the dark.

• It isn't necessary to light a candle in the daytime.

• The candle's flame moved in the windy darkness.

Multiple Select

What two subjects are being compared in this example of hyperbole?

Pam was skinny enough to jump through a keyhole.

• Pam

• skinny

• keyhole

• jump

Multiple Choice

Pam was skinny enough to jump through a keyhole.

In this example of hyperbole, what trait do Pam and a keyhole have in common?

• Pam and the keyhole both have keys.

• Pam uses a key to enter her apartment each night.

• Pam and the keyhole are both small or slender.

• Pam and the keyhole can both jump in different ways.

Multiple Select

Thunder grumbled, and raindrops reported for duty as the hurricane moved towards the Jersey Shore.

What is being personified in this example?

• thunder

• Jersey Shore

• duty

• raindrops

Multiple Choice

What is the literal meaning of this simile?

She hung her head like a dying flower.

• Most flowers need water daily to stay alive.

• The woman was very sad.

• The woman was upset about her dying flowers because she forgot to water them and felt guilty.

• The woman is dying.

Multiple Choice

What is the literal meaning of this example of metaphor?

Governor Smith's words were bullets to his opponent during the debate.

• Governor Smith brought a weapon to the debate to the surprise of the audience.

• Governor Smith's political opponent could not defend himself against the governor's strong arguments.

• Governor Smith is running for office again for another term.

• Xuxa was looking for the governor.

Multiple Choice

In this simile, what trait do her laughter and a warm blanket have in common?

Her laughter was like a warm blanket on this cold, winter night.

• Her laughter and a warm blanket are both comforting.

• Her laughter and a warm blanket are both like the winter.

• Her laughter and a warm blanket are both cold.

• Her laughter and a warm blanket are almost exactly the same.

Multiple Choice

What is the literal meaning of this example of personification?

The train screamed down the tracks.

• The train moved along the tracks.

• The passengers were making too much noise inside the train.

• The noisy train was going to the next destination.

• A ride on a train is quite fun.

Multiple Select

What two subjects are being compared in this example of hyperbole?

The runner ran like a cheetah in the race during the Olympics.

• Olympics

• runner

• cheetah

• race

Multiple Choice

In this simile, what trait do the runner and a cheetah have in common?

The runner ran like a cheetah in the race during the Olympics.

• The runner once saw a cheetah at the zoo.

• The runner and a cheetah are both fast.

• The runner and a cheetah are both cats.

• The runner and a cheetah are both in the race.

Multiple Choice

Read this example of personification:

The car groaned as Billy turned the key in the ignition.

What can you infer about the car?

• The car is a Bugatti.

• The car was purchased brand-new.

• The car is old and probably needs to be fixed or replaced.

• Billy enjoys driving his car to work and school.

Multiple Select

What two subjects are being compared in this simile?

My bedroom is like a prison when Denise is grounded on the weekend.

• bedroom

• prison

• Denise

• weekend

Multiple Choice

My bedroom is like a prison when Denise is grounded on the weekend.

In this simile, what trait do her bedroom and a prison have in common?

• Her bedroom and a prison both have bars on the windows.

• Her bedroom and a prison both have guards outside.

• Her bedroom and a prison both have limited freedom.

• There is, in fact, no connection between a bedroom and a prison.

Multiple Choice

What is the literal meaning of this example of personification?

The Sun was beating down on Carlos, so he jumped into his pool.

• Carlos got sunburned.

• Carlos has a pool.

• Carlos had not been in his pool all summer, so he decided that he would go swimming finally.

• It was hot, so Carlos decided to go swimming.

Multiple Choice

What is being personified in this example?

The Sun was beating down on Carlos, so he jumped into his pool.

• Carlos

• Sun

• pool

• jump