Figurative Language and Meaning

What is the literal meaning of the following metaphor?

"He was drowning in a sea of grief."

• He was stranded in the ocean.

• He was very sad.

• He was very angry.

• He was a unique person.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

What is the literal meaning of the following simile?

"Time is like a cruel thief."

• There's no such thing as time.

• Time often seems to pass very slowly.

• Thieves are bad because they steal things.

• As time passes, so does life's pleasant moments.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.4A

CCSS.L.6.5A

CCSS.RL.6.4

What is the literal meaning of the following metaphor?

"John stood and I was in the presence of a skyscraper."

• John is attractive.

• John is annoying.

• John is tall.

• John is funny.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.7

CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RL.6.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

What is the literal meaning of the following personification?

"As we walked through the scorching desert, the sun beat down on us."

• The sun felt very hot.

• The sun was fighting them.

• The sun was very bright.

• The sun was setting.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What is the literal meaning of the following simile?

"Vanessa's eyes began to fill with tears, and they poured down her face like a waterfall."

• Vanessa is a mean person.

• Vanessa is injured.

• Vanessa is tearing up.

• Vanessa is crying hard.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.7

CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RL.6.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

What is the literal meaning of the following metaphor?

"The class was a circus."

• The class was quiet.

• The class was out of control.

• The class was boring.

• The class was interesting.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

CCSS.RL.6.4

What is the literal meaning of the following hyperbole?

"Charlie gazed hopelessly at the endless pile of bills stretching across the counter."

• There were a lot of bills on the counter.

• The bills were really expensive.

• The counter was very long.

• Charlie is a rich man.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

CCSS.RL.6.4

What is the literal meaning of the following simile?

"Carlos, like an ox, pulled the weights an incredible distance."

• Carlos had a positive attitude.

• Carlos was strong.

• Carlos was intelligent.

• Carlos was a superhero.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RL.6.9

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.7

What is the literal meaning of the following simile?

"We moved along the lake in the canoe like a sloth, but we were happy to be together."

• The canoe moved quickly on the water.

• The canoe is not well built and will likely crash.

• The canoe can only move in deep water.

• The canoe moved slowly on the water.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.6.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

What is the literal meaning of the following personification?

"Time crawled as Tim sat in the detention room watching the clock tic."

• The clock was making a "tick-tock" sound.

• Tim was embarrassed about getting detention.

• Time seemed to pass slowly.

• Time seemed to pass quickly.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3