Figurative Language
AUTHOR'S PURPOSE
CONTEXT CLUES
THEME
INFERENCE
100

She was as brave as a lion.

What is a simile?

100
A boy brought home his report card from school. His dad looked it over. His face became red as he said, "How did you manage to make one D and five F's?" The boy answered,"I guess I concentrated too hard on one subject."
What is to entertain?
100
The long hike up to the top of the mountain was extremely grueling. Does grueling mean loud, tiring, or easy?
What is tiring?
100

Mrs. Smith was doing a unit on healthy living with her students. All week she taught her students about eating the correct foods like fruits and vegetables. Over the weekend, some of Mrs. Smith's students were at the mall and saw her eating pizza, a milkshake, and candy. Mrs. Smith's student Molly was going to order a salad, but now decided to order junk food too. What is the theme? 

A Actions speak louder than words 

B Never eat pizza at the mall 

C Vegetables are good for you

A) Actions speak louder than words

100
The shelves were piled high with boxes of every size and shape. Each group had a different picture and different bright colors. There were so many people – men and women, mothers with little children, teenagers putting more boxes on the shelves. Some of the people were talking together as they chose the boxes and cans that they wanted. Jeff was having a hard time remembering which one to buy. He knew that Tooli wouldn’t be happy if he brought home the wrong brand! He also knew that Tooli was probably getting very hungry! Where was Jeff?
What is the grocery store?
200

The branches bowed to the ground.

What is personification?

200
Recess should be 30 minutes instead of 15 minutes because you get a longer time to talk to your friends about all sorts of stuff. You also get a longer time to play the activities you're playing. We kids would get more exercise from being outside for a longer time. The teachers would get a longer break from teaching us and we would get a longer break from all that learning. That is why I think we should have a longer recess.
What is to persuade (or convince)?
200
The conspicious man wore a purple wig and large sunglasses. Does conspicious mean...easily noticed, beautiful, or sleeping?
What is easily noticed?
200

Julia wanted to become a doctor for as long as she could remember. In college when her friends were out at the mall or going out with friends, Julia spent all of her time studying. At graduation, Julia graduated with high honors and was offered a job shortly after. What is the theme?

A Studying is important.
B It is important to go to college.
C Hard work pays off.

C) Hard work pays off

200
Jeff filled up a big bowl with fresh, cold water and set it on the floor. He brought out a big comforter and put it on the floor next to the low window. He opened a package, took out a big bone and placed it on the floor next to the comforter. Then he opened the window so that the gentle breeze could blow into the room. What was Jeff doing?
What is getting a place ready for a dog?
300

Daniel danced delicately in December

What is alliteration?

300
Tigers are solitary animals and usually hunt at night. A male tiger will have a large range that will overlap with the ranges of several females. Females give birth to two or three cubs, which they raise and train for about two years. Tigers kill a variety of animals, including deer, antelope, wild pigs, and cattle. Tigers try to remain out of sight and hearing of their enemies, especially humans; they prefer fleeing to fighting. They can be killed by wild dogs, elephants, and water buffalos. Man-eating tigers are usually individuals who are too old or sick to capture wild animals.
What is to inform?
300
I was so parched that I drank an entire glass of water in one gulp. Does parched mean hungry, thirsty, or sleepy?
What is thirsty?
300

Growing up, Sally was always in the shadow of her older sister Mary. Mary always got better grades, was better at sports, and seemed to even be prettier. Sally spent a lot of time in the family's garden feeling sorry for herself. Then one day Mary needed help on a science project about plants. Due to all of her time in the garden, Sally knew a lot about plants and was able help Mary with the project. Sally was shocked that she was better at something than her sister. What is the theme?
A Accept yourself for who you are.
B Sports are not important
C You can learn a lot from plants.

A) Accept yourself for who you are

300
Justin grabbed the leash and quickly put it around Tooli’s neck. He stormed out the door with Tooli coming right behind. He said, “Hurry up, Tooli. You’re always so slow.” Justin kept his head down and walked quickly down the road, not speaking to anyone that he saw. How does Jeff probably feel?
What is angry?
400

I am so tired I could sleep for a year.

What is alliteration?

400
William is a strong and bossy boy. His athletic body is very tall and almost higher by one head than his classmates. He has dark and tough skin that looks muscular and is often wet and sweaty. Actually, he looks like a wrestler. Since he fights with several kids without any help and won finally, he has become an idol of his classmates and has a bunch of followers. Because of the power, William is arrogant and domineering. For example, when his thundering boasts rise in the boiling class, everybody keeps quiet and listens carefully. William is easily mad and jealous if someone disagrees with him.
What is to describe?
400
The delightful aroma of food cooking in the kitchen made my mouth water. Does aroma mean smell, color, or wealth?
What is smell?
400

The Monkey and the Cookies A monkey put his hand into the jar of cookies. He grasped as many as he could possibly hold, but when he tried to pull his hand, he was prevented from doing so by the neck of the cookie jar. Unwilling to lose the cookies, and yet unable to withdraw his hand, he burst into tears and cried bitterly. What is the theme?


A Eating cookies can be dangerous.
B If you are greedy, you might get nothing.
C Don't put your hand in a jar.

B.) If you are greedy, you might get nothing.

400
Lisa carefully examined the bug sitting on the leaf. She noticed that it had six legs and a hard shell. Lisa had never seen a bug like this before. She grabbed her magnifying glass and camera. What is the MOST LIKELY conclusion you can draw about Lisa? A. She is helpful. B. She is afraid of bugs. C. She is very curious. D. She likes to play soccer.
What is she is very curious?
500

Crocodiles' teeth are white daggers, so be careful.

What is a metphor?

500
In Tarpon Springs, Florida, there are people who work underwater. These people are called sponge divers. The kind of treasure they look for is called sponges. Sponge diving is not an easy job. The diver has to breathe under the water, and be careful of extreme water pressure.
What is to inform?
500
Marcia is a novice soccer player. It is her first day of practice. Does novice mean professional, skilled, or beginner?
What is beginner?
500

One winter, a monkey found a snake stiff and frozen. The monkey felt sorry for the snake and so he picked the snake up and held it to his chest to try to warm it. The snake was quickly revived by the warmth, and because of its instincts, bit the monkey with all its might. What is the theme?


A Even though you have good intentions, others may not
B Don't hold snakes close to your chest.
C Snakes are dangerous.

A.) Even though you have good intentions, others may not

500
Lauren looked at her watch, grabbed her books and ran to the bus stop. When she got to the bus stop, she realized she forgot her lunch. Lauren ran back to the house and grabbed her lunchbox. When Lauren got back to the bus stop, she realized she missed the bus. What word would best describes Lauren? A. playful B. disorganized C. worried D. athletic
What is disorganized?
M
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