Hyperbole

Which of these sentences contains an example of hyperbole? (Hint: look for the exaggeration)

• The room was hotter than the air outside.

• The room was almost as hot as an oven.

• The room was so hot my face melted.

• The room was very hot.

Which sentence from the passage below contains a hyperbole?

Jamie could always tell when her brother was sleeping. His snoring was louder than a chainsaw. She never had friends sleep over, so she wouldn't have to explain it. Trying to sleep in her house was like trying to sleep at a rock concert. It only ended when the sun came up, and his alarm clock rang.

• "His snoring was louder than a chainsaw."

• "Jamie could always tell when her brother was sleeping."

• "It only ended when the sun came up, and his alarm clock rang."

• "She never had friends sleep over, so she wouldn't have to explain it."

What is the purpose of the hyperbole in the following passage?

I can't believe I broke that vase. My mom's going to be furious! She loves that vase more than anything in the entire world. She's going to ground me forever.

• to convince the reader that the vase is beautiful

• to convey the author's feelings about their mother

• to add urgency and drama to the story

• to tell the facts exactly as they are

Read the sentence below. Which of these revisions removes the hyperbole?

I have told you a million times to clean your room.

• If I have to tell you to clean your room one more time, you'll never see your friends again!

• I've never seen a dirtier, messier room in my entire life!

• I have told you three times to clean your room.

• You are the messiest kid in the world!

Read the sentence below. Which of these revisions adds hyperbole?

I like pizza.

• Pizza is my favorite food.

• I love the salty, cheesy tastes of pizza.

• I love pizza so much I want to marry it.

• I love pizza like a monkey loves bananas.

True or False: The following sentence is an example of hyperbole.

Jeremy was our class clown.

• True

• False

Identify the following passage as literal or hyperbole:

Paul Bunyan is a character in American tall tales.

• literal

• hyperbole

Identify the following passage as literal or hyperbole:

Paul Bunyan was so tall he could see over the tallest pine trees.

• literal

• hyperbole

Identify the following passage as literal or hyperbole:

Babe the Big Blue Ox could drink Lake Michigan dry.

• literal

• hyperbole

Identify the following passage as literal or hyperbole:

In stories, Paul Bunyan's Ox is named Babe.

• literal

• hyperbole