Does this sentence include figurative language?
"The comic book was colorful with pictures in blue and red."
No, the word "colorful" explains how a comic book looks. This is a literal description.
Does this statement use a literal description?
"My mouth was as dry as a bone."
No: The sentence "my mouth was as dry as a bone" uses figurative language because a person's mouth is being compared
Does this sentence include figurative language?
"I move fast like a cheetah!"
Yes: When someone says they move "as fast as a cheetah" they do not mean it literally. Cheetahs run 65-75 miles an hour. This sentence includes figurative language.
Does this statement use a literal description?
The sun set was red, orange, and yellow.
Yes: This description includes the colors of the sunset. This is literal because someone can look at the sunset and see the colors.
Does this sentence include figurative language?
"She's happy as a clam."
Yes: This description compares a person to a clam. This shows figurative language because the person is not really similar to a clam. Can clams be happy?
Does this statement use a literal description?
The student had caramel colored skin and dark brown eyes.
Yes: This description is literal because it explains exactly how the student looked. It is not a surprising description.
Does this sentence include figurative language?
"The old gray wall is falling apart."
No: This sentence has a literal description because a person could look at the wall and describe it as "falling apart". This is not figurative because it is not a surprising comparison.
Does this statement use a literal description?
My little brother's hair was messy like a lion's mane.
No: This description is figurative. Saying that your brother's hair is messy like a lion's mane does not mean he looks exactly like a lion. His hair reminds you of a lion's mane.
Does this sentence include figurative language?
"He has a heart of stone"
Yes: a "heart of stone" is figurative language because a person's heart is compared to a rock. This is a surprising comparison.
Does this statement use a literal description?
The new computer was shiny enough that I could see my reflection.