Interpret Figures of Speech

​English Study Guide:Literary Devices (U2)

​By: Luna Sky

Interpret figures of speech: Basic Devices

Euphemism:the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant.


Hyperbole:an intentional exaggeration or an exaggerated statement that isn't meant to be taken literally.

Interpret figures of speech: Basic Devices

Metaphor:a figure of speech that implicitly compares two unrelated things, typically by stating that one thing is another

Simile: “a word or phrase that compares something to something else, using the words like or as.”

Interpret figures of speech: Basic Devices

Irony:the use of words or a phrase to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning.
- Verbal:when a speaker's intention is the opposite of what they are saying.

Interpret figures of speech: Basic Devices

Personification:figurative language that gives human characteristics to nonhuman things or inanimate objects.


Idiom:a phrase that is common in a language or culture that means something different from how it literally sounds.

Multiple Choice

What does the simile in this text suggest?

When Les Mellion finished the apple he smacked his lips together like a pair of cymbals.

• Lee Mellion was a Musician.

• Lee Mellion didn't like apples.

• Lee Mellion made a loud noise with his lips

Multiple Choice

What is the metaphor in this text suggest?

Laughter is sunshine it chases winter from the human face.

• Laughter can brighten people's mood.

• Laughter can affect people in different ways.

• Laughing can make people red in the face.

Multiple Choice

What is the metaphor in this text suggest?

Rihanna felt a roller coaster of emotions when she heard the news.

• Rihanna felt delighted about the news

• Rihanna had a varied feelings.

• Rihanna found the news scary.

Multiple Choice

What does the simile in this text suggest?

The prime minister said that his belief in freedom of expression is as solid as the ground we stand on.

• The prime minister's belief in freedom of expression is firm and unwavering.

• The prime minister's belief in freedom of expression is recorded in a document.

• The prime minister's beliefs in freedom of expression is a lie.

Multiple Choice

What does the hyperbole in this text suggest?

At that time Bogota was a remote, lugubrious city where an insomniac rain had been falling since the beginning of the 16th century.

• It rained in Bogota for hundreds of years.

• It rained frequently and for long periods of time in Bogota.

• The rain in Bogota was extremely heavy.

Multiple Choice

What does the personification in this text suggest?

It was the early afternoon of a sunshiny day with little winds playing hide-and-seek in it.

• There was very little wind.

• There were occasional gusts of wind.

• The wind was constant and intense.

Multiple Choice

What does the hyperbole in this text suggest?

The last time Josiah cleaned his room dinosaurs were still roaming the earth.

• Josiah hasn't cleaned his room in a very long time.

• Josiah refuses to clean his room

• His room is extremely clean

Multiple Choice

What does the personification in this text suggest?

There was never a sound beside the wood but one, and that was my long scythe whispering to the ground

• The scythe made a soft swishing sound

• The scythe gently touched the ground.

• The scythe speaking quietly.

Multiple Choice

What does the idiom suggest?

" Speak of the devil!" Diane declared when Tain Strolled into the room.

• Diane didn't trust Tai

• Diane thought Tai was a troubleMaker

• Diane had just been speaking about Tai

Multiple Choice

What does the Irony suggest?

" Some had better turn on the heat" Zoe said, sweat glistening on her face

• The temperature was too warm

• The temperature was just right

• The temperature was too cool

Multiple Choice

What does the euphemism suggest?

Mr. Russell is enjoying his golden years in a luxurious beachside community just down the street from his grandchildren

• Mr. Russell is old

• Mr. Russell lives near his family

• Mr. Russell is rich

Multiple Choice

What does the idiom suggest?

Mr and Mrs Cassidy usually see eye to eye, but not when it comes to the controversial general election

• Mr and Mrs Cassidy are not politically active

• Mr and Mrs Cassidy usually agree

• Mr and Mrs Cassidy look each other in the eye

Multiple Choice

What does the irony suggest?

" This is the best day of my life," Mr Donnelly mumbled after his car broke down on the way to an important job interview

• Mr Donnelly was already running late

• Mr Donnelly was having a bad day

• Mr Donnelly liked fixing cars

Multiple Choice

What does the euphemism suggest?

The Pastel family donated a number of gently loved books and toys to a local shelter

• The Items were precious

• The Items were not new

• The Items were no longer wanted

More advance literary devices

Literary Devices

Juxtaposition:  the placing together of ideas or items, not normally associated with one another, side-by-side to create or enhance an effect. Juxtaposition is sometimes, but not always, accomplished by using contrast.

 Paradox: A seemingly absurd situation or statement that has a degree of hidden truth to it.

Literary Devices

Allusion: A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance. It does not describe in detail the person or thing that it refers to. It is usually just a passing comment; the writer expects the reader to possess enough knowledge to understand the significance of the allusion in a story.

Oxymoron:  the deliberate placing of words that contradict one another, side-by-side or in a phrase, in order to enhance or create an effect.  All oxymorons are mini-paradoxes.

Literary Devices

Parody: an imitation of the style of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect.

Satire: the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, parody, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.

Double Entendre: a word, phrase or symbol that has two meanings: one literal and one inferential.

Literary Devices

Assonance: is the repetition of vowel sounds in words that are close together in a sentence or verse

Antithesis: a literary device that positions opposite ideas parallel to each other

Literary Devices

Apostrophe: is a figure of speech where a speaker directly addresses someone who is not present, an inanimate object, or an abstract idea as if it were alive and capable of responding.


Anaphora: is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of each line of a poem, speech, or sermon.

Multiple Choice

which of the following describes the Juxtaposition in the photo?

• Light and Dark

• Alive and Dead

• Nature and Life

Multiple Choice

Which of the follow is an example of Paradox?

• Pretty is the new ugly

• Less is more

• Sour and sweet

Multiple Choice

which of the following describes the Juxtaposition in the photo?

• War and Peace

• Fantasy vs Reality

• Adult vs Child

Multiple Choice

What literary device is this text an example of?

“I wish I may; I wish I might.

• apostrophe

• anaphora

• allusion

Multiple Choice

Read the source of the allusion.

In the Bible, Solomon, a king of Israel, is an extremely wise person whom many regard as a prophet.

What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?

You should pay a visit to Great-Aunt Gertrude, the Solomon of our family.

• a person who is generous

• a person who gives good advice

• a person who is very kind

Multiple Choice

Which figure of speech is used in this text?

Parting is such sweet sorrow.-William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

• Oxymoron

• Euphemism

• Juxtaposition

Multiple Select

Which of the follow is an example of Paradox?

• Deep down, that girl is really shallow

• All's fair in love and war

• This is the beginning of the end.

• City vs Countryside

Multiple Choice

What does the allusion in the text suggest

With the gutters dogged and water rising in the streets, Faith, who was watching the storm from her window, commented, "We're going to need an ark to get out of here

• Faith wants to protect her possesions

• Faith thinks the storm will cause major flooding

• Faith plans to build a boat

Multiple Choice

Which figure of speech is used in this text?

Living dead

• Allusion

• Oxymoron

• Personification

Multiple Choice

Parody or Satire

• Parody

• Satire

Multiple Choice

What literary device is the an example of?

He claps his hands and stamps his feet

• assonance

• antithesis

• apostrophe

Multiple Choice

What the photo an example of?

• Allusion

• Satire

• Double Entendre

Multiple Choice

Parody or Satire

• Parody

• Satire

Multiple Choice

What literary device is the an example of?

Whose shoes are these?

• Personification

• assonance

• apostrophe

Multiple Choice

Parody or Satire

• Parody

• Satire

Multiple Choice

What literary device is the an example of?

He eats the sweet treats

• apostrophe

• allusion

• assonance

Multiple Choice

What the photo an example of?

• Parody

• Double Entendre

• Juxtaposition

Multiple Choice

Parody or Satire

• Parody

• Satire

Multiple Choice

What literary device is the an example of?

Hope for the best; prepare for the worst.

• Hyperbole

• apostrophe

• antithesis

Multiple Choice

What literary device is the an example of?

The cat is dirty. Its fur is matted.

• assonance

• apostrophe

• allusion

Multiple Choice

What literary device is the an example of?

“That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”

• antithesis

• allusion

• satire

Multiple Choice

What literary device is this text an example of?

“Be bold. Be brief. Be gone.”

• antithesis

• assonance

• anaphora