Metaphor Mania
She’s a shining star in the classroom. What does this metaphor mean?
She is outstanding or excellent.
Which of the following is a simile?
Identify the personification in the following sentence:
"The alarm clock screamed at me this morning."
The alarm clock is given the human ability to "scream."
"I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!" What is exaggerated?
The person’s hunger—they can’t actually eat a horse.
"My breath fogged up the glass and so I drew a new face and I laughed." — Shakira
What figurative language is used in the lyric "My breath fogged up the glass"?
Imagery
Explain the comparison in the following metaphor, "His words were a double-edged sword."
What he said had both positive and negative effects.
Her smile was as bright as the sun." What is being compared?
Her smile is being compared to the brightness of the sun.
Which of these is an example of personification?
A) The sun smiled down on us.
B) The car is really fast.
C) He ran like a cheetah.
A) The sun smiled down on us.
Choose the statement that best illustrates hyperbole.
A) "The sky was a sea of endless blue."
B) "He waited for hours, though it felt like an eternity."
C) "The breeze hummed through the leaves."
D) "Her smile was as bright as the sun."
B) "He waited for hours, though it felt like an eternity."
"Only God can judge me" -2Pac
Which figurative language does this phrase best represent?
A) Metaphor
B) Allusion
C) Hyperbole
D) Personification
B) Allusion
Which sentence contains a metaphor?
A) The wind howled through the night.
B) His anger was a raging storm.
C) She ran as fast as lightning.
B) His anger was a raging storm.
What does the simile from Rhianna's lyric "Shine bright like a diamond" suggest?
You should always be positive.
Read the sentence below:
"The ancient house groaned and creaked as the storm lashed its walls."
How does the use of personification contribute to the atmosphere of the scene?
A) It makes the house feel alive and mysterious.
B) It emphasizes the strength of the storm.
C) It highlights the house's state of disrepair.
D) All of the above.
B) It emphasizes the strength of the storm.
Identify the figurative language in the following sentence:
"He had a mountain of homework last night."
What does the phrase "a mountain of homework" most likely mean?
A) He had an unusually large amount of homework.
B) He had homework related to mountains.
C) He had trouble carrying his homework.
D) He had no homework at all.
A) He had an unusually large amount of homework.
The use of this figurative language shows just how much work he had. By comparing the homework to a mountain, it suggests that the amount of work was huge, difficult, and hard to get through. This comparison helps us understand that the homework wasn't just a lot, but also a stressful challenge, making the task seem overwhelming and hard to manage.
"I’m not like you, I’m not like them" — Kendrick Lamar
What figurative language is used in this lyric?
A) Simile
B) Metaphor
C) Hyperbole
D) Personification
B) Metaphor
This shows how he is different from others. Instead of directly comparing himself to someone else, he is saying that his identity, experiences, and values are unique. This metaphor highlights the song’s theme of being true to oneself and standing out from the crowd.
Read the following excerpt:
"Her laughter was the ringing of silver bells , clear and bright against the heavy silence."
How does the use of this comparison affect the tone of the passage
By describing the laughter as silver bells, the author conveys a sense of purity and brightness. This contrast with the "heavy silence" further emphasizes the laughter’s warmth and liveliness.
"Her voice was as soft as a whispering breeze."
Explain how the simile contributes to the overall tone of the sentence.
It contributes to a tone of calmness and tranquility. By comparing her voice to a gentle breeze, the author emphasizes its delicate and soothing quality.
Identify the personification in the following sentence:
"The moon danced across the night sky."
What does the phrase "the moon danced across the night sky" most likely mean?
A) The moon was rapidly moving across the sky.
B) The moon appeared to move gracefully through the sky.
C) The moon was causing strong winds and storms.
D) The moon was spinning uncontrollably.
B) The moon appeared to move gracefully through the sky.
"I went from zero to my own hero" — Katy Perry
How does the figurative language in this lyric contribute to the theme of empowerment in the song?
It contributes to the theme of empowerment by showing a dramatic transformation from feeling powerless or insignificant ("zero") to becoming strong and confident ("hero").
B) Metaphor
This shows how he is different from others. Instead of directly comparing himself to someone else, he is saying that his identity, experiences, and values are unique. This metaphor highlights the song’s theme of being true to oneself and standing out from the crowd.
The use of hyperbole in the lyric "La noche está en fuego" emphasizes the excitement and intensity of the night by exaggerating the feeling of energy and passion.
In SZA's song "SOS" she says "I can't be no ex, I can't be no vest."
What does the metaphor most likely suggest?
She cannot be discarded like a piece of clothing you don't want anymore.
"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." — Muhammad Ali
What does the use of figurative language in this quote suggest about Muhammad Ali’s boxing style and personality.
This figurative language highlights the contrast between his agility and his strength.
"The moon danced across the night sky."
How does the use of personification in this sentence enhance the imagery of the scene?
It enhances the imagery by:
*suggesting that it moves with grace and fluidity
* suggests a sense of beauty, lightness, and elegance, making the movement of the moon feel more lively and captivating
*creating a vivid, almost magical picture of the night sky
Explain the hyperbole: “This test is going to kill me!”
No one actually dies from a test—it’s an exaggeration.
The use of hyperbole in the lyric "La noche está en fuego" emphasizes the excitement and intensity of the night by exaggerating the feeling of energy and passion.
Alliteration