Personification

What is the best definition of personification?

• A comparison between two things using 'like' or 'as'

• Giving human qualities or actions to animals, objects, or ideas

• A word that imitates the sound it represents

• An extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect

Answer explanation

Personification is a type of figurative language where non-human things are described as if they have human characteristics. The other options describe a simile, onomatopoeia, and hyperbole.

In the sentence, "The tired old car groaned as it climbed the steep hill," what is being personified?

• The hill

• The car

• The driver

• The groan

Answer explanation

The car, a non-human object, is being given the human quality of being 'tired' and the human action of 'groaning'. The hill is just steep, and a groan is the action being used for personification.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

Sort the following sentences into two groups: 'Uses Personification' or 'Does Not Use Personification'.

Groups:

(a) Uses Personification

,

(b) Does Not Use Personification

• The pizza was hot and cheesy.

• The wind sang a sad song through the trees.

• My backpack is very heavy.

• The sun smiled down on the beach.

Answer explanation

Sentences that give human actions (smiling, singing) to non-human things (sun, wind) are examples of personification. The other sentences are literal descriptions.

Which sentence does NOT use personification?

• The camera loves her and captures her best side.

• The stars winked at us from the night sky.

• The chocolate cake was delicious and rich.

• The last piece of pie was calling my name.

Answer explanation

This sentence is a literal description of the cake. The other options give human qualities (loving, winking, calling) to non-human objects (camera, stars, pie).

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

Match the example of personification to the mood or idea it helps create.

• A feeling of sadness and isolation

• The flowers danced in the gentle breeze.

• A harsh, unpleasant sound

• The lonely lighthouse cried out a warning.

• A happy and lively scene

• The sun peeked shyly from behind a cloud.

• A shy or hesitant action

• The rusty gate screamed in protest.

Answer explanation

Each example of personification uses a specific human action or emotion to create a distinct mood, such as sadness ('cried'), happiness ('danced'), harshness ('screamed'), or shyness ('peeked shyly').

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

In the sentence, "My alarm clock yells at me every morning," what human quality is given to the alarm clock?

• Waking up

• Being loud

• Yelling

• Telling time

Answer explanation

'Yelling' is a human action. While an alarm is loud, the word 'yells' specifically personifies the sound by making it seem like an angry human voice.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

Which sentence is an example of a simile, NOT personification?

• The ocean waves whispered secrets to the shore.

• The moon was a silent observer in the night.

• The runner's legs were like powerful pistons.

• The old house groaned under the weight of the snow.

Answer explanation

This sentence uses the word 'like' to compare the runner's legs to pistons, which makes it a simile. The other options give human qualities (whispering, observing, groaning) to non-human things.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Classify each sentence based on the type of figurative language used: 'Personification', 'Simile', or 'Metaphor'.

Groups:

(a) Personification

,

(b) Simile

,

(c) Metaphor

• The clouds were fluffy cotton balls.

• His temper was a volcano ready to erupt.

• The wind howled through the trees.

• She is as brave as a lion.

Answer explanation

Personification gives human traits to non-human things ('wind howled'). A simile compares using 'like' or 'as' ('as brave as'). A metaphor makes a direct comparison ('temper was a volcano').

Which sentence best uses personification to describe a friendly and welcoming house?

• The house sat on a hill.

• The house's windows stared blankly at the street.

• The front door of the house offered a warm smile.

• The house was as big as a castle.

Answer explanation

Giving the door a 'warm smile' is a human gesture of friendliness, creating a welcoming feeling. 'Stared blankly' creates an unfriendly feeling, while the other options are literal or a simile.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

Match the object to the human action it is performing in the sentence.

• Playing a game

• The thirsty flowers begged for water.

• Begging for a drink

• The old stairs groaned under my weight.

• Refusing to listen

• The sun played hide-and-seek with the clouds.

• Groaning in protest

• The computer refused to listen to my commands.

Answer explanation

Each object is correctly matched with the human action it is described as doing: flowers 'begged', the computer 'refused to listen', the sun 'played', and the stairs 'groaned'.