Imagery - visual, auditory and tactile

Sort the following phrases by the type of imagery they use: Visual, Auditory, or Tactile.

Groups:

(a) Visual

,

(b) Auditory

,

(c) Tactile

• A bright, sunny day

• Rough sandpaper

• Glittering snowflakes

• The booming thunder

• The fuzzy kitten

• A piercing shriek

Answer explanation

Phrases are sorted based on whether they describe something you see (visual), hear (auditory), or feel by touch (tactile).

Match each descriptive phrase to the sense it appeals to.

• Auditory (Hearing)

• The screech of tires on the pavement

• Visual (Sight)

• The sticky, gooey marshmallow from the s'more

• Tactile (Touch)

• A blanket of shimmering stars in the night sky

Answer explanation

Each phrase is matched to the sense it describes: 'screech' is a sound (auditory), 'shimmering stars' are seen (visual), and 'sticky, gooey' is felt (tactile).

Read the sentence: "The constant drip, drip, drip of the leaky faucet was the only sound in the silent house." Why did the author likely use this auditory imagery?

• To emphasize the quietness and create a feeling of tension.

• To show that the character is good at fixing things.

• To describe what the faucet looks like.

• To suggest that it is raining outside.

Answer explanation

The focus on the small, repetitive sound of 'drip, drip, drip' makes the surrounding silence seem more intense and can create a tense or lonely mood. It doesn't provide information about the character's skills, the faucet's appearance, or the weather.

Sort these descriptive words by the sense they most strongly appeal to: Sight, Sound, or Touch.

Groups:

(a) Sight

,

(b) Sound

,

(c) Touch

• Glimmering

• Shadowy

• Muffled

• Velvety

• Hissing

• Prickly

Answer explanation

Words are grouped by the primary sense they describe. 'Glimmering' and 'shadowy' are seen, 'hissing' and 'muffled' are heard, and 'prickly' and 'velvety' are felt.

Match each sentence to the main type of imagery it uses.

• Visual Imagery

• The diamond ring sparkled under the bright lights of the store.

• Tactile Imagery

• The rusty gate squeaked in protest as I pushed it open.

• Auditory Imagery

• Her new fleece jacket was fluffy and comforting against her skin.

Answer explanation

Each sentence is matched with its dominant imagery type: 'squeaked' is auditory (sound), 'fluffy' is tactile (touch), and 'sparkled' is visual (sight).

Read the sentence: "The room was dark, except for a single, flickering candle that cast long, dancing shadows on the walls." How does the visual imagery contribute to the mood?

• It creates a mysterious or spooky mood.

• It creates a bright and cheerful mood.

• It creates a busy and energetic mood.

• It creates a calm and peaceful mood.

Answer explanation

The description of darkness, a single flickering light, and 'dancing shadows' is often used to make a scene feel mysterious, uncertain, or even a little scary. It does not suggest cheerfulness, energy, or peace.

Classify each phrase based on the type of imagery it represents: Visual, Auditory, or Tactile.

Groups:

(a) Visual Imagery

,

(b) Auditory Imagery

,

(c) Tactile Imagery

• The crunch of autumn leaves

• The sun's golden rays

• A smooth, polished stone

• A distant, wailing siren

Answer explanation

Phrases are classified by the sense they engage. 'Golden rays' are seen (visual), 'crunch' and 'wailing' are heard (auditory), and 'smooth' is felt (tactile).

Which sentence most effectively uses auditory imagery?

• The bacon sizzled and popped in the hot pan.

• The pizza looked delicious.

• The cat's fur was very soft.

• The sky was a beautiful blue.

Answer explanation

The words 'sizzled' and 'popped' are onomatopoeias that directly describe sounds, making it strong auditory imagery. The other options describe appearance or feeling.

Match each example of imagery to the sense it primarily targets.

• Sight (Visual)

• The neon green sign glowed in the dark

• Hearing (Auditory)

• The low hum of the refrigerator

• Touch (Tactile)

• The spiky texture of the pineapple's skin

Answer explanation

Each example is paired with its corresponding sense: 'spiky texture' is touch, 'neon green sign' is sight, and 'low hum' is hearing.

Read the sentence: "He pulled on the scratchy wool sweater his grandma had knitted." Why would the author choose the word scratchy?

• To help the reader feel the uncomfortable texture of the sweater.

• To show that the sweater was a bright color.

• To explain that the sweater was a gift.

• To describe the sound the sweater makes.

Answer explanation

'Scratchy' is a tactile word that describes an unpleasant feeling against the skin. This choice helps the reader empathize with the character's physical sensation. It doesn't relate to color, its origin as a gift, or sound.