Figurative Language
This type of comparison uses the words like or as to show similarities between two things.
simile
Samantha woke up to a bright sunny morning. She was excited because it was her birthday and her friends had planned a surprise party. As the day went on, she received messages and gifts from her family and friends, and they all came together to celebrate. The party was filled with laughter, games, and cake, and Samantha couldn't remember a time when she had felt happier.
Question: Which answer choice best summarizes the passage?
A) Samantha had a quiet birthday.
B) Samantha had a surprise birthday party filled with fun and joy.
C) Samantha received many gifts.
D) Samantha spent her birthday alone.
Answer: B) Samantha had a surprise birthday party filled with fun and joy.
Alex was always getting into trouble at school. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't seem to avoid making mistakes. But one day, his teacher pulled him aside and told him that everyone makes mistakes, and it’s what you learn from them that matters. Alex started to take more time to think before acting, and slowly, he began to see improvements in both his behavior and his grades.
Question: What is the theme of this passage?
A) Learning from mistakes leads to personal growth.
B) It's important to always follow the rules.
C) School is a place for strict discipline.
D) Mistakes should be ignored.
Answer: A) Learning from mistakes leads to personal growth.
This character trait describes someone who is able to admit when they are wrong and learn from their mistakes.
A) Honesty
B) Humility
C) Arrogance
D) Confidence
B) Humility
This is the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry.
A) Rhyme scheme
B) Meter
C) Stanza
D) Alliteration
B) Meter
This figure of speech exaggerates something so much that it could never be true, like "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!"
hyperbole
The forest was quiet, with only the sounds of birds and rustling leaves. Maria had been walking for hours, trying to find her way back home after getting lost during a hike. She was tired but didn't give up. As she walked, she noticed the beauty of the tall trees and the colorful flowers along the trail. Finally, just as the sun was setting, Maria spotted the trailhead and made her way back to safety.
Question: Which answer choice best summarizes the passage?
A) Maria gets lost but finds her way home.
B) Maria enjoys hiking alone.
C) Maria takes a break in the forest.
D) Maria struggles to enjoy nature.
Answer: A) Maria gets lost but finds her way home.
Lena had always been the quiet one in the group. But when she saw a classmate being teased, something inside her snapped. Without thinking, she stood up and told the others to stop. Afterward, she felt proud of herself, and her friends started to see her in a new light. Lena learned that sometimes, standing up for what’s right takes courage.
Question: What is the theme of this passage?
A) It’s always best to keep quiet.
B) Standing up for others requires bravery.
C) Friendship is about fitting in.
D) Always let others make decisions.
Answer: B) Standing up for others requires bravery.
A character who always tries to help others, even when it’s difficult or inconvenient, might be described as this.
A) Greedy
B) Compassionate
C) Lazy
D) Selfish
B) Compassionate
This term refers to the repetition of similar sounds, especially consonant sounds, at the beginning of words in a line of poetry.
A) Simile
B) Metaphor
C) Alliteration
D) Onomatopoeia
C) Alliteration
A direct comparison between two unrelated things, saying one is the other, like "Her smile is sunshine."
metaphor
Lily had always been afraid of speaking in front of her class. But today, she had a presentation to give on the solar system. She practiced her speech several times the night before and was determined to do well. When it was her turn, she stood up with shaking hands, but as she spoke, her confidence grew. By the end of the presentation, Lily was proud of herself for facing her fear.
Question: Which answer choice best summarizes the passage?
A) Lily avoids public speaking.
B) Lily struggles with her speech but doesn't finish.
C) Lily faces her fear of speaking in front of the class.
D) Lily dislikes science topics.
Answer: C) Lily faces her fear of speaking in front of the class.
The town had been through a lot. A flood had wiped out homes, and many people were struggling to rebuild. But every time someone needed help, another person was there to lend a hand. Slowly, the community grew stronger as they supported one another through the tough times.
Question: What is the theme of this passage?
A) Strength comes from working together.
B) Life is easier when you are alone.
C) Nature always wins in the end.
D) People need to be self-reliant.
Answer: A) Strength comes from working together.
This trait describes someone who stays calm and thinks carefully, even when things get stressful.
B) Patient
This is when an object or action is used to represent something more than its literal meaning, often an idea or concept.
A) Personification
B) Symbolism
C) Hyperbole
D) Irony
B) Symbolism
Identify the figurative language in this sentence: "The classroom was a zoo after lunch."
metaphor
At the science fair, the students were buzzing with excitement as the judges walked through the rows of projects. Jake stood nervously by his volcano model, hoping his experiment would impress the judges. When it was his turn, he explained how the volcano worked, and the judges were impressed by his knowledge and creativity. Later that day, Jake won first place and was proud of his hard work.
Question: Which answer choice best summarizes the passage?
A) Jake doesn't enjoy science.
B) Jake wins first place at the science fair for his volcano project.
C) Jake's volcano model fails.
D) Jake feels nervous but doesn't win.
Answer: B) Jake wins first place at the science fair for his volcano project.
Jordan was determined to win the soccer championship. He practiced every day, worked on his skills, and kept a positive attitude. Though his team faced many challenges, Jordan's persistence and hard work paid off when they won the final game. He realized that effort and determination can lead to success.
Question: What is the theme of this passage?
A) Winning isn’t important.
B) Hard work and persistence lead to success.
C) Success comes from natural talent alone.
D) Teamwork is overrated.
Answer: B) Hard work and persistence lead to success.
A character who speaks their mind and isn't afraid to stand up for what they believe in shows this trait.
A) Confidence
B) Shyness
C) Courage
D) Indifference
C) Courage
A group of lines in a poem, separated by a space, is called a _________
A) Stanza
This type of figurative language says one thing is like another using as or like, such as "His voice was as smooth as butter."
simile
The Johnson family was excited for their summer road trip. They packed their bags, loaded up the car, and set off. Along the way, they faced some unexpected delays, like flat tires and traffic jams, but they made the most of it. They stopped at a roadside diner, took pictures by the mountains, and even played car games to pass the time. By the end of the trip, they were tired but happy with all the memories they made together.
Question: Which answer choice best summarizes the passage?
A) The Johnson family had a smooth, uneventful road trip.
B) The Johnson family faced challenges during their road trip but enjoyed the experience.
C) The Johnson family regrets going on the road trip.
D) The Johnson family quickly reached their destination without problems.
B) The Johnson family faced challenges during their road trip but enjoyed the experience.
Maya loved painting more than anything else. But when she showed her artwork to her friends, they didn’t understand it and laughed at her. Instead of feeling discouraged, Maya decided to keep painting for herself, knowing that art was something that made her happy, no matter what others thought.
Question: What is the theme of this passage?
A) It’s important to please others.
B) Following your passion is worth it, even if others don’t understand.
C) Only perfect art matters.
D) People should stop making art when they are criticized.
Answer: B) Following your passion is worth it, even if others don’t understand.
This character trait is often shown by someone who works hard, is determined, and doesn’t give up easily.
A) Laziness
B) Perseverance
C) Carelessness
D) Arrogance
B) Perseverance
his literary device refers to a reference to a well-known person, place, event, or work of art, often used to add deeper meaning to a poem.
A) Hyperbole
B) Allusion
C) Metaphor
D) Personification
B) Allusion