Understanding Language: Literal and Figurative

What best describes literal language?

• Language that paints mental images

• Language that exaggerates for effect

• Language that states exactly what you mean.

• Language filled with symbolism

Where is literal language most appropriately used?

• Poems

• News reports

• Novels

• Song lyrics

What is the main purpose of figurative language?

• To express ideas imaginatively.

• To give exact instructions

• To confuse readers.

• To avoid emotional impact

What role does comparison play in figurative language?

• It hides the message from readers

• It describes things scientifically

• It highlights similarities to aid understanding

• It focuses only on factual data

Which sentence uses literal language?

• The leaves danced in the wind.

• The sun smiled down on us.

• The water in the pot is boiling.

• My heart broke into a million pieces.

Which sentence is figurative?

• I went to the market to buy vegetables.

• She opened the window.

• The cat is under the table.

• He is as brave as a lion.

Which of the following is NOT an example of literal language?

• The sun is bright today.

• My backpack weighs three elephants.

• She wrote a letter to her friend.

• The dog barked loudly.

Which is the figurative form of this literal sentence: “He runs very fast”?

• He’s a human rocket.

• He walks slowly.

• He trains every day.

• He finishes races quickly.

Which is the literal version of this figurative sentence: “He has a heart of stone”?

• He collects stones.

• He’s strong and muscular.

• His heart is made of rock.

• He is cold and unfeeling.

Which is the figurative way to say: “The classroom was noisy”?

• The classroom was like a beehive.

• The students were talking.

• It was loud inside.

• The teacher called for silence.