Spot the figurative language
“This homework is killing me.”
Is this sentence literal or figurative? Explain briefly.
Figurative. Homework is not actually causing death; it means the homework feels very difficult or overwhelming.
If someone says, “I’m drowning in homework,” what do they actually mean?
They have a lot of homework and feel overwhelmed.
“She was as quiet as a mouse.”
Is this an example of a simile, metaphor, or personification?
Simile
The JP in JP Case stands for Jelly Party. True or False?
False
“She ran as fast as the wind.”
Is this sentence literal or figurative, and how do you know?
Figurative. A person cannot literally run as fast as the wind; the comparison shows speed.
What does the sentence “Her words cut deeper than a knife” say about how the speaker felt?
The words were very emotionally hurtful.
“The alarm clock screamed at me this morning.”
Which type of figurative language gives human actions to non-human things?
Personification.
What country is Mr. Smith from?
United Kingdom
Also accepting: England, Great Britain
“The classroom was a zoo during the assembly.”
Is this sentence meant to be taken literally or figuratively? What does it suggest about the classroom?
Figurative. It suggests the classroom was loud, chaotic, or out of control.
When someone says, “The test was a piece of cake,” what are they saying about the test? What does it not mean?
It means the test was easy. It does not mean the test was literally food.
“School is a battlefield.”
Is this a simile or a metaphor, and how do you know?
Metaphor. It directly compares school to a battlefield without using “like” or “as.”
What soccer team does Mr. Smith support?
Arsenal
“Time crawled as he waited for the bell to ring.”
What makes this sentence figurative rather than literal?
Figurative. Time cannot crawl; it means the waiting felt very slow.
What kind of person is being described by the phrase “He has a heart of stone”?
Someone who is emotionally cold, unkind, or uncaring.
“The sun smiled down on the field.”
Is this an example of personification, simile, or metaphor?
Personification
What is the opposite of literal language?
non-literal language
“The silence after the announcement was louder than any sound.”
Why can this sentence only make sense figuratively?
Silence cannot be loud; the sentence emphasizes how intense or uncomfortable the silence felt.
What mood or feeling is being described in the sentence “After the loss, the room felt like it was holding its breath”?
The mood is tense, heavy, or sad, as if everyone is waiting or afraid to react.
A) “His backpack weighed a ton.”
B) “Her voice was music to his ears.”
Are these examples of the same or different types of figurative language? Explain.
Different types. Sentence A is hyperbole (exaggeration). Sentence B is a metaphor (direct comparison).
Name TWO reason a writer would use figurative language?
-Help the reader visualize
- Express feelings or emotions
- Make writing more interesting
- Compare/emphasize ideas
- Make writing more persuasive