Figurative Language Pre-Assessment

Which of the following in an example of onomatopoeia?

• Boom!
• No!
• Yes!
• Go!

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.4.5

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. 

Answer explanation

Remember, personification is when a non-human does something that humans typically do. Trees don't ACTUALLY "dance," but humans DO!

The other examples are figurative language too, but not personification.

Other examples of personification are...

The sun smiled down on the hikers.

Death entered the room where the poor child lay coughing in her tiny bed.

"As straight as an arrow" is an example of what?

• simile
• alliteration
• metaphor
• onomatopoeia

Answer explanation

This is a simile because there is a comparison (the straightness of something is being compared to the straightness of an arrow) and it uses the word "AS."

Always be on the lookout for "like" or "as" when looking for similes. If you see either of those words AND two things are being compared, it's a simile!

Examples:

He's as solid as a rock.

The school day felt like a marathon.

What is this is an example of:

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

• personification
• metaphor
• simile
• hyperbole

Answer explanation

This is personification because a non-human thing (a CLOCK) is doing something that humans do (LAUGHING).

Why do people use figurative language?

• To make their writing interesting and visual, or to emphasis an idea and make a point.
• To be grammatically correct.
• To structure their writing into paragraphs.
• Because Beyonce uses it in her songs. 

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

"The assignment was a breeze!" is an example of a(n)...

• Metaphor 
• Simile 
• Alliteration
• Onomatopoeia 

Answer explanation

This is a metaphor because two things are being compared ("this assignment" and "a breeze"), WITHOUT using the words "like" or "as."

Other examples of metaphors...

As we prepared to enter the rapids, the guide warned us to be careful, saying, "The water is a machine."

The classroom was an oasis for the students.

Which one of these is an example of an alliteration?

• The vase flew off of the shelf. 
• Powerful pandas punch parrots.
• The plant liked to fly.
• I like to eat pie.

Answer explanation

Remember, alliteration is when several words in a row begin with the same sound. You often see it in poetry (and in tongue twisters!).

Examples

The sweet, solitary song slipped softly from her lips.

Mommy made me mash my M&Ms.

"He was as cool as a cucumber." is an example of a(n)

• Simile
• Alliteration
• Metaphor
• None of the above

Answer explanation

In this case, the example is caring someone's coolness to the coolness of a cucumber. The comparison uses "as," so it's a simile!

She is walking on eggshells means...

• She is learning how to walk.
• She is in the chicken coop.
• She is trying not to upset anyone.

Answer explanation

"Walking on eggshells" is an idiom. It's an expression that we know from hearing it used, but that doesn't really make any sense if you break it down.

Other examples of idioms are...

It's raining cats and dogs!

Break a leg!

Miss Gillan spilled the beans about the surprise party.

'How sweet the sobbing violin!' is an example of:

• simile
• metaphor
• personification
• hyperbole

Answer explanation

You might have noticed there's a bit of alliteration here (the "sweet sobbing" of the violin), but there's also a beautiful personification! The violin is described as "sobbing." Since a violin is a non-living thing and "sobbing" is something humans do, this is personification.