Metaphor, Simile, or Alliteration?
Onomatopoeia, Personification or Hyperbole?
Allusion or Idiom?
Application of Figurative Language
Anything Goes!
100

Tanya ran as fast as lightning.  

Which figurative language device is being used here?

A. Metaphor

B. Simile

C. Alliteration

Tanya ran as fast as lightning.

B.  Simile

100

The audience clapped with delight. 

Which figurative language device is being used here?

A.  Onomatopoeia

B.  Personification

C.  Hyperbole

The audience clapped with delight.
A.  Onomatopoeia

100

I knew Robert heard the news since he entered the room with a chip on his shoulder.  

Which figurative language device is being used here?

A.  Allusion

B.  Idiom

I knew Robert heard the news since he entered the room with a chip on his shoulder.


B.  Idiom

100

Mr. Bennet’s explanation of the atom is as clear as mud.  

What does the simile in this sentence emphasize?

A.  Mr. Bennet has a very clear explanation.

B.  Mr. Bennet’s explanation is unclear.

C.  Mr. Bennet does not have an explanation.  

Mr. Bennet’s explanation of the atom is as clear as mud.  

B.  Mr. Bennet’s explanation is unclear.

100

In gym class, Esther never stops talking and always gets me into trouble.

What does the hyperbole in this sentence emphasize?

A.  Esther has detention.

B.  Esther needs to talk to the teacher.

C.  Esther is very talkative.

In gym class, Esther never stops talking and always gets me into trouble.

C.  Esther is very talkative. 

200

Before bedtime each night, Bennie reads a baseball book.  

Which figurative language device is being used here?

A. Metaphor

B. Simile

C. Alliteration

Before bedtime each night, Bennie reads a baseball book. 

C. Alliteration

200

f I told you once, I told you a million times . . . shut the door! 

Which figurative language device is being used here? 

A.  Onomatopoeia

B.  Personification

C.   Hyperbole

If I told you once, I told you a million times . . . shut the door!

C.  Hyperbole

200

Sarah smiled at the news, feeling like she won the golden ticket.  

Which figurative language device is being used here?

A.  Allusion

B.  Idiom

Sarah smiled at the news, feeling like she won the golden ticket.

A.  Allusion

This is a literary allusion to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 

200

I’m worried about our bills because our new car cost a gazillion dollars.

What does the hyperbole in this sentence emphasize?

A.  The speaker bought a new car.

B.  The new car was inexpensive.

C.  The new car was expensive.   

I’m worried about our bills because our new car cost a gazillion dollars.

C.  The new car was expensive.

200

During the basketball game, I noticed that Joanna is a tall as the Empire State Building.

What is emphasized with the simile in this sentence?

A. Joanna likes to play basketball.

B. Joanna is taller than everyone in her class.

C. Joanna is very tall.

During the basketball game, I noticed that Joanna is a tall as the Empire State Building.

C.  Joanna is very tall.

300

Brenda is always kind and considerate to others, which is why people think she is a saint. 

Which figurative language device is being used here?

A.  Metaphor

B.  Simile

C.  Alliteration

Brenda is always kind and considerate to others, which is why people think she is a saint.

A.  Metaphor

300

The storm began with gusto as lightning danced across the sky. 

Which figurative language device is being used here?

A.  Onomatopoeia

B.  Personification

C.  Hyperbole

The storm began with gusto as lightning danced across the sky.
B. Personification

300

Mrs. Osborn will need the patience of Job this year to deal with the upcoming 8th grade class.  

Which figurative language device is being used here?

A.  Allusion

B.  Idiom

Mrs. Osborn will need the patience of Job this year to deal with the upcoming 8th grade class.


A. Allusion
This is a biblical allusion.

300

I have to say after spending time with Jill that her stomach is a bottomless pit.  

What is emphasized with the metaphor in this sentence?

A.  Jill is hungry.

B.  Jill likes barbeque.

C.  Jill is always hungry.  

I have to say after spending time with Jill that her stomach is a bottomless pit.  

C.  Jill is always hungry.

300

The earthquake rumbled the foundation of the house. 

What does the onomatopoeia in this sentence emphasize?

A. The size of the house.

B. The sound of the earthquake.

C. The location of the earthquake.  

The earthquake rumbled the foundation of the house. 

B.  The sound of the earthquake. 

400

After running down the street and retrieving the ball, Andrew threw it to second base like a pro. 

Which figurative language device is being used here?

A.  Metaphor

B.  Simile

C.  Alliteration

After running down the street and retrieving the ball, Andrew threw it to second base like a pro. 


B.  Simile

400

After providing my dog Fido with a full meal, he smiled in appreciation. 

Which figurative language device is being used here?

A.  Onomatopoeia

B.  Personification

C.  Hyperbole

After providing my dog Fido with a full meal, he smiled in appreciation. 


B.  Personification

400

Jose caught the pass with ease, but knew he was in a pickle when he realized there was only two seconds left on the clock.  

Which figurative language device is being used here?

Jose caught the pass with ease, but knew he was in a pickle when he realized there was only two seconds left on the clock.  

Idiom

400

Jody went into a panic when her car complained as the key was turned. 

What is emphasized with the personification in this sentence?

A.  The car started.

B.  The car is very fast.

C.  The car may need to be fixed.

Jody went into a panic when her car complained as the key was turned. 

C.  The car may need to be fixed.

400

Quincy’s quilters quit quilting quickly.

What does the alliteration in this sentence emphasize?

A. Quincy’s quilters are very fast.

B. Quincy’s quilters didn’t work very long.  

C. Quincy’s quilters work well together.  

Quincy’s quilters quit quilting quickly.

B. Quincy’s quilters didn’t work very long.  

500

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.”

What figurative language device is being used here?

This is an extended metaphor.

500

In an effort to calm the two young men, the teacher reminded them that the pen is mightier than the sword.  

Which figurative language device is being used here?

A.  Onomatopoeia

B.  Personification

C.  Hyperbole

In an effort to calm the two young men, the teacher reminded them that the pen is mightier than the sword.


C.  Hyperbole

500

Tina is the Shakespeare of our school, since she has written so many historical plays.  

Is this an allusion or an idiom?  Also, what additional category can it fall under?  Explain.

Tina is the Shakespeare of our school, since she has written so many historical plays.  


This is a literary allusion.  It can also be seen as a metaphor, because the author is saying Tina IS Shakespeare.

500

After seeing my math grade on my report card, you could have knocked me over with a feather.  

What is emphasized with the hyperbole in this sentence?

After seeing my math grade on my report card, you could have knocked me over with a feather.  

The person in the sentence is very surprised with his/her math grade.

500

After just one date, Tina discovered that Ted was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

What is emphasized with the idiom in this sentence?

A. Ted’s unreliability 

B. Ted’s costume

C. Ted’s kindness

After just one date, Tina discovered that Ted was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

A.  Ted’s unreliability (He is not who he appears to be.)