Figurative Language
ELA.9.R.3.1
Literary Elements
ELA.9.R.1.1
Vocabulary
Theme
ELA.9.R.1.2
Poetry
100

Which of the following is an example of simile?

A. "Her smile was as bright as the sun."
B. "The wind whispered through the trees."
C. "Time flies when you're having fun."
D. "The classroom was a zoo."

A. Her smile was as bright as the sun
100

"The wind howled through the trees, its icy fingers reaching for anyone foolish enough to wander too far into the night. The full moon cast eerie shadows across the forest, making the trees appear like twisted, gnarled monsters."

Which literary element is most evident in this passage?

A. Allusion
B. Imagery
C. Irony
D. Flashback

B. Imagery
100

Choose the correct meaning of the underlined word in the sentence below:

"The scientist's groundbreaking research was considered innovative and earned her widespread recognition in her field."

A) Traditional
B) Original and creative
C) Outdated
D) Unnecessary

B. Original and creative

100

Despite the many challenges she faced, Maria always believed that hard work would eventually lead to success. Even when the path seemed unclear, she remained focused on her goals and kept pushing forward. Her perseverance was the key to overcoming obstacles and achieving her dreams.

Question:

What is the universal theme of this passage?

A) The importance of being lucky
B) The value of perseverance and hard work
C) The need for friends to help you succeed
D) The idea that success comes easily

b. The value of perseverance and hard work

100

The moon whispered secrets to the sea,
As waves danced in quiet harmony.
The stars, like diamonds, sparkled bright,
Guiding the night through endless flight.

Question:

Which of the following examples of figurative language can be found in the poem?

A) "The waves danced in quiet harmony" (personification)
B) "The stars, like diamonds, sparkled bright" (simile)
C) "The moon whispered secrets to the sea" (personification)
D) All of the above

D. All of the above

200

Which of the following is an example of metaphor?

A. "The classroom was a jungle."
B. "She was as fast as a cheetah."
C. "The sun smiled down on us."
D. "He ran like the wind."

A. The classroom was a jungle

200

"As the sun dipped below the horizon, the forest seemed to come alive with the sounds of unseen creatures. The trees whispered secrets to the wind, their branches stretching like arms reaching for something just beyond their grasp. There was no escape from the feeling that something was waiting—watching—just out of sight."

What is the tone of this passage?

A. Mysterious
B. Optimistic
C. Humorous
D. Indifferent

A. Mysterious

200

Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence below:

"The politician’s candid response to the question impressed the audience."

A) Dishonest
B) Secretive
C) Frank and open
D) Unclear

C. Frank and open
200

After years of struggle, Leo finally achieved his dream of becoming an artist. He had faced many setbacks, but with each failure, he learned and grew stronger. His journey taught him that every setback was simply an opportunity to improve and keep moving forward.

Question:

What is the universal theme of this passage?

A) The power of artistic talent
B) The importance of learning from failure
C) The value of never trying new things
D) The idea that success is guaranteed

b. The importance of learning from failure

200

The sun sets slowly, casting golden rays,
Whispering secrets of the fading days.
The birds call softly, the breeze is kind,
A peaceful evening for the heart and mind.

Question:

What is the tone of this poem?

A) Tense and uneasy
B) Peaceful and serene
C) Excited and joyful
D) Mournful and sorrowful

B. Peaceful and Serene
300

"The storm raged outside, its howling winds like a wild beast, clawing at the windows. Inside, the fire crackled, a warm embrace against the cold."

Which of the following examples of figurative language can be found in this passage?

A. Simile
B. Personification
C. Hyperbole
D. Onomatopoeia

A. Simile

300

"The storm raged on, but the house stood firm. The windows rattled, and the wind howled outside, but inside, all was calm. The flickering candlelight cast soft shadows on the walls, and for a moment, it felt as though the world had forgotten about the chaos outside."

What is the tone of this passage?

A. Melancholic
B. Tense
C. Calm and reassuring
D. Excited

c. Calm and reassuring

300

Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to the underlined word in the sentence below:

"The explorer’s audacious journey through the jungle was both daring and dangerous."

A) Cautious
B) Brave
C) Careless
D) Hesitant

B. Brave

300

Sara had always felt out of place in her new school. She struggled to make friends and often felt lonely. However, over time, she learned to embrace her uniqueness and realized that being true to herself was more important than fitting in with others.

Question:

What is the universal theme of this passage?

A) The struggle to fit in with others
B) The importance of embracing one's individuality
C) The need to change to please others
D) The power of popularity

b. The importance of embracing one's individuality

300

The storm clouds gathered, dark and deep,
The winds howled loud, disturbing sleep.
The trees bent low, as if to cry,
Under the weight of the angry sky.

Question:

What is the mood of the poem?

A) Calm and peaceful
B) Hopeful and uplifting
C) Dark and ominous
D) Joyful and playful

D. Joyful and playful

400

"The moon hung low in the sky, a silver coin tossed carelessly into the vast, inky sea of night. The air was thick with silence, broken only by the occasional whisper of wind, as though the world itself was holding its breath."

Which example of figurative language in this passage most contributes to the creation of a mysterious or tense mood?

A. "The moon hung low in the sky, a silver coin tossed carelessly"
B. "The air was thick with silence"
C. "The occasional whisper of wind"
D. "The world itself was holding its breath"

D. The world itself was holding its breath

400

"Daniel had always been a quiet student, content to sit in the back of the class. But now, with his parents pushing him to become class president, he found himself torn between his desire for peace and the pressure to lead. Every time he thought about speaking up, a wave of anxiety washed over him."

Which type of conflict is most evident in this passage?

A. Character vs. Society
B. Character vs. Nature
C. Character vs. Self
D. Character vs. Character

C. Character VS. Self

400

Based on the context of the sentence, choose the meaning of the underlined word:

"Despite the team's formidable opponent, they managed to win the game through teamwork and determination."

A) Weak
B) Difficult to defeat
C) Friendly
D) Unimportant

B. Difficult to defeat
400

In a small, quiet village, a young boy named Ethan watched the seasons change every year. The older villagers often spoke of a time long ago when the land was rich with resources, but now, the village faced hardships. Despite this, Ethan never lost hope. He believed that, much like the cycle of the seasons, there would be a time when things would improve. His optimism became a quiet strength that kept the community going, even in the darkest times.

Question:

What is the universal theme of this passage?

A) The inevitability of change and the hope for renewal
B) The value of living in the past
C) The importance of always looking back
D) The despair that comes with hardship

A. The inevitability of change and the hope for renewal

400

A single seed, so small and bare,
Took root in soil, with love and care.
Through storm and sun, it grew so tall,
Reaching for the sky, standing proud and all.

Question:

What is the meaning of this poem?

A) It describes how plants grow.
B) It symbolizes personal growth and overcoming challenges.
C) It talks about the importance of weather.
D) It explains the process of planting a seed.

b. It symbolizes personal growth and overcoming challenges

500

"The sky was ablaze with hues of red and orange, the sun sinking slowly behind the mountains like a dying ember. The air grew heavy, thick with the promise of a storm, and the birds fell silent, as if they, too, were waiting for the storm to arrive."

What mood is created by the figurative language in this passage?

A. Suspenseful and foreboding
B. Reflective and nostalgic
C. Jubilant and carefree
D. Peaceful and tranquil

A. Suspenseful and foreboding

500

"The old house stood alone at the end of the road, its windows dark and empty, its paint peeling from years of neglect. The wind moaned as it swept through the cracked door, and the overgrown garden seemed to reach out like a forgotten memory. It was as if the house itself had been waiting, silently, for someone to return."

What mood is created in this passage, and how does it add layers of meaning?

A. Lonely and ominous – The house's desolation and the wind's moan create a mood of abandonment, which suggests that the house is holding onto memories of the past, enhancing its eerie and mysterious feeling.
B. Joyful and hopeful – The description of the house’s quiet isolation suggests peace and contentment, implying the house represents a safe haven.
C. Relaxed and comforting – The imagery of the wind and the garden conveys a serene and peaceful atmosphere, suggesting the house has been patiently waiting for a loved one’s return.
D. Energetic and lively – The garden and house are described in vibrant terms, implying that the house is full of life and energy, even after years of neglect.

A. Lonely and ominous – The house's desolation and the wind's moan create a mood of abandonment, which suggests that the house is holding onto memories of the past, enhancing its eerie and mysterious feeling.

500

"Her meticulous notes were organized by date and topic, making it easy to find any information she needed."

A) "organized by date and topic"
B) "easy to find any information"
C) "her notes"
D) "making it"

a. Organized by date and topic

500

Though the storm raged outside, Clara sat quietly by the window, reflecting on the years she had spent trying to control everything around her. The more she tried to plan for every eventuality, the more unsettled she became. Gradually, she understood that life was unpredictable and beyond her control. What mattered most, she realized, was learning to find peace in the chaos and accepting that some things could not be changed.

Question:

What is the universal theme of this passage?

A) The uselessness of trying to control everything in life
B) The strength in resisting change
C) The need to constantly prepare for the worst
D) The comfort of isolation during difficult times

A. The uselessness of trying to control everything in life

500

Through every trial, through every fight,
The heart learns strength, the soul takes flight.
Though storms may come and clouds may part,
Hope remains forever in the heart.

Question:

What is the universal theme of this poem?

A) The importance of avoiding challenges
B) The power of hope and inner strength
C) The inevitability of failure
D) The need for external help in tough times

B. The power of hope and inner strength

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