The Quest for the Sunstone Garden - Hyperbole in literary text (Grade 7)
Passage
•
English
•
7th Grade
•
Practice Problem
•
Hard
Angela Lock
FREE Resource
8 questions
Show all answers
1.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
In the first paragraph, what does Rafael say to exaggerate how long the city has neglected the garden?
That they have forgotten the garden "for a million years."
That the garden is a "total disaster."
That the weeds are "taller than the benches."
That the fountain is "bone-dry."
Answer explanation
This is a direct quote from the first paragraph where Rafael uses hyperbole, or exaggeration, to express his frustration about how long the garden has been ignored. The other options are descriptions, but not the specific hyperbole about time.
2.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
When Rafael says they'd "have to move a mountain to get the city's attention," what does he mean?
He thinks they need to physically move a large rock.
He believes the city office is located on a mountain.
He feels that getting the city's attention will be an extremely difficult task.
He wants to use heavy equipment to fix the garden.
Answer explanation
The phrase 'move a mountain' is a common hyperbole that means to do something that feels almost impossible. Rafael is using it to express how hard he thinks their mission will be.
3.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
What hyperbole does Colette use to describe her grandmother's feelings about the garden?
Her heart is "stretched thinner than a rubber band."
Her heart "breaks into a thousand pieces."
She has a "stack of complaints a mile high."
The garden is "everything to our neighborhood."
Answer explanation
In the second paragraph, Colette quotes her grandmother, Maria, using the hyperbole that her heart 'breaks into a thousand pieces' to show her extreme sadness. The other options are different hyperboles or statements used by other characters in the story.
4.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Why does Colette tell Mr. Frederick they have "an army of volunteers"?
To trick him into thinking they have actual soldiers.
To show that she is a good military leader.
To describe the exact number of people who will help.
To emphasize that a very large number of people are ready to help.
Answer explanation
Colette uses the hyperbole 'an army' to make the group of volunteers sound large and powerful. Her goal is to impress Mr. Frederick and show him how serious and organized their effort is, not to give an exact number or talk about actual soldiers.
5.
CATEGORIZE QUESTION
1 min • 1 pt
Read the phrases from the story. Categorize them as either a "Literal Description" or a "Hyperbolic Statement."
Groups:
(a) Literal Description
,
(b) Hyperbolic Statement
We'd have to move a mountain.
The fountain was bone-dry.
The office smelled of lemon polish.
A stack of complaints a mile high.
Her heart breaks into a thousand pieces.
Weeds grew taller than the benches.
Answer explanation
Literal descriptions state facts that could be true (a dry fountain, a specific smell, tall weeds). Hyperbolic statements are exaggerations that are not meant to be taken literally; they are used to express strong feelings or emphasize a point (a heart can't literally break into pieces, you can't literally move a mountain to get attention, and complaints aren't a mile high).
6.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Which character uses the hyperbole that the budget is "stretched thinner than a rubber band"?
Mr. Frederick
Rafael
Colette
Maria
Answer explanation
Mr. Frederick uses this hyperbole in paragraph 5 to exaggerate how tight the city's budget is and to explain why there is no money for the garden.
7.
MATCH QUESTION
1 min • 1 pt
Match each hyperbolic phrase from the dialogue with the primary idea it expresses.
The idea that there is absolutely no money available.
an army of volunteers
The fear of a severe and permanent negative outcome.
forgotten us for a million years
The sense of having a large, powerful group of supporters.
they'll be stuck inside forever
The feeling of being neglected for a very long time.
stretched thinner than a rubber band
Answer explanation
Each hyperbole is chosen to express a specific idea more forcefully. 'A million years' exaggerates the length of time to show deep frustration. 'Thinner than a rubber band' exaggerates the lack of resources. 'Stuck inside forever' exaggerates the consequence to show how serious the problem is for the seniors. 'An army' exaggerates the number of helpers to show strength and commitment.
Access all questions and much more by creating a free account
Create resources
Host any resource
Get auto-graded reports
Continue with Google
Continue with Email
Continue with Microsoft
or continue with
%20(1).png)
Apple
Others
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service & Privacy Policy
Already have an account?
