Figurative Language ~ L.4, L.5

Which word has the more positive connotation?

• inexpensive

• cheap

Which word has the more negative connotation?

• home

• shack

Which word has the more positive connotation?

• casual

• apathetic

“Old news” is an example of which type of figurative language?

• metaphor

• simile

• onomatopoeia

• oxymoron

Answer explanation

Refer to your definition of "oxymoron." When analyzing "Old" and "News," we know that "old" means something out-of-date, whereas "news" usually means a fact that is NEW to us. When these words are put together, it takes on a new meaning that this fact we are hearing is something we already learned!

Determine the type of figurative language found in the following sentence: "The rain sounded like small pellets falling onto the roof."

• metaphor

• simile

• hyperbole

• personification

Answer explanation

Refer to your definition of a "simile." "The rain sounded like small pellets falling onto the roof," is comparing the sound of rain to hard pellets hitting the roof using the word "like."

Determine the type of figurative language found in the following sentence: "The clouds sobbed, drenching the earth with their tears."

• metaphor

• simile

•  hyperbole

• personification

Answer explanation

Refer to your definition of "personification." "The clouds sobbed, drenching the earth with their tears," is giving a human characteristic of crying to a rain cloud.

Determine the type of figurative language found in the following sentence: "Elmer could hear the sound of freedom echoing in his ears every time he revved the car’s engine."

• metaphor

• simile

• hyperbole

• personification

Answer explanation

Refer to your definition of "metaphor." "Elmer could hear the sound of freedom echoing in his ears every time he revved the car’s engine," is making a comparison to the sound of the car's engine to freedom, which of course, FREEDOM does not have an actual sound.

Determine the type of figurative language found in the following sentence: "The song played forever, and I desperately wanted it to stop."

• metaphor

• simile

• hyperbole

• personification

Answer explanation

Refer to your definition of "hyperbole." "The song played forever, and I desperately wanted it to stop," is an exaggeration of a song playing for a long, long time-not that the song was literally playing FOREVER.

What does the underlined word most closely mean? "The crowd erupted into a state of anarchy, starting fires and creating chaos."

• a state of organization and peace

• a state of law-abiding citizens who merge together

• a state of lawlessness, confusion, or disorder

• a state of awareness and disorder

Answer explanation

Let's look at the context clues; "The crowd erupted into a state of anarchy, starting fires and creating chaos." 1) erupted, 2) starting fires, 3) creating chaos.

What does the underlined word most closely mean? "We thought Harry would be really excited about the prestigious award he received, but he was very blasé about the whole thing."

• humble and kind

• unimpressed and indifferent

• bragging and outspoken

• arrogant and conceited

Answer explanation

Let's look at the context clues; "We thought Harry would be really excited about the prestigious award he received, but he was very blasé about the whole thing." The key portion of this sentence "We thought..." implies that Harry is the opposite of "really excited...".