Connotation
There is an intruder in my home.
Negative
“'Hope' is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul"
What is the meaning of this figurative language?
Hope uplifts the soul and makes it feel better.
Read the following sentence:
"Her explanation was so convoluted that no one in the room understood what she meant."
Which of the following best defines the word "convoluted" as it is used in the sentence?
A) Clear and simple
B) Complicated and confusing
C) Detailed and thorough
D) Brief and to the point
B) Complicated and confusing
"Mister Sun wakes up at dawn,
Puts his golden slippers on,
Climbs the summer sky at noon."
What is the meaning of the figurative language?
The sun rises in the sky and shines early in the morning.
Read the following excerpt from a story:
"As the storm raged outside, I sat by the window, the sound of the thunder like a drumbeat in my ears, and I couldn't help but smile. It felt like the world was alive, full of energy and force."
What is the tone of this passage?
A) Melancholic
B) Suspenseful
C) Energetic
D) Regretful
C. Energetic
There is a guest in my home.
Positive
"O my Love is like the melody
That’s sweetly played in tune."
What is the meaning of this figurative language?
His love is sweet and soothing like a song.
Read the following sentence:
"The coach praised the team's perseverance after they came back from a huge deficit to win the game."
Which of the following is the closest meaning of "perseverance" in this context?
A) Quick thinking
B) Strength and resilience in the face of challenges
C) The ability to work with others
D) The desire to win at all costs
B) Strength and resilience in the face of challenges
Consider the following lines from a story:
“Her heart was a drum, pounding in her chest as she stepped onto the stage.”
How does the use of the metaphor “her heart was a drum” contribute to the character’s emotions and the reader's understanding of the scene?
This shows that the character is nervous about being in front of an audience.
Read the following excerpt from a diary entry:
"Today was the worst day ever. I can't believe it—nothing went right. I forgot my lunch, I got in trouble for something I didn’t even do, and now it’s raining. How can everything be so unfair?"
What is the tone of this diary entry?
A) Hopeful
B) Angry
C) Joyful
D) Depressing
B. Angry
She planned a whole outfit and bought some cheap shoes to go with it.
Negative
“…You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise."
What is the meaning of this figurative language?
You can push me down, but I will come back up.
Read the following sentence:
"The teacher's comments were meant to be constructive, offering helpful feedback to improve the student's writing."
Which of the following best defines "constructive" as used in the sentence?
A) Unhelpful and discouraging
B) Negative and critical
C) Helpful and intended to improve
D) Random and unrelated
C) Helpful and intended to improve
"The city was a jungle, with cars roaring like wild animals and people rushing through the streets like prey."
Explain how the author uses figurative language to convey the chaos of the city. What effect does this have on the reader's understanding of the setting?
The author uses metaphor ("The city was a jungle") to compare the city to a wild, untamed place. The simile ("like wild animals" and "like prey") further emphasizes the feeling of danger and urgency in the city. These comparisons create a vivid image of chaos and disorder, helping the reader understand that the city is hectic and stressful.
Read the following passage from a novel:
"The sun set slowly, casting a golden glow across the horizon. The quiet waves lapped against the shore, and I felt a deep sense of peace settle in my chest. It was the kind of moment you want to last forever."
What is the tone of this passage?
A) Peaceful
B) Sarcastic
C) Nostalgic
D) Anxious
A. Peaceful
She planned a whole outfit and found some affordable shoes to go with it.
Positive
"I look
at you and I would rather look at you than all the
portraits in the world."
What is the meaning of this figurative language?
The person is beautiful and special to speaker.
Read the following sentence:
"His mood turned jubilant when he heard the good news."
What is the meaning of "jubilant" as used in this sentence?
A) Angry
B) Joyful and celebratory
C) Sad and disappointed
D) Quiet and reserved
B) Joyful and celebratory
Read the sentence below:
"The wind howled through the trees, and the branches reached out like gnarled hands trying to grab us."
Discuss the figurative language used in this sentence and explain how it creates a feeling of danger or unease.
The sentence contains personification ("The wind howled") and simile ("like gnarled hands"). The personification of the wind as a howling entity gives it an eerie, threatening presence, while the simile comparing the branches to “gnarled hands” enhances the sense of danger, as if the trees are trying to physically grab the characters. This figurative language creates a foreboding atmosphere, making the setting feel creepy and unsettling.
Read the following excerpt from a story:
"The classroom was filled with chatter, but I barely noticed. I was too busy staring at the test paper in front of me. My heart raced, my palms were sweaty, and my mind was blank. There was no way I was going to pass."
What is the tone of this passage?
A) Confident
B) Hopeful
C) Nervous
D) Triumphant
C. Nervous
Identify which is positive and which is negative:
Bryant is very self-confident in his abilities.
Bryant is very conceited about his abilities.
Self-confident is positive
Conceited is negative
"Because I could not stop for Death—
He kindly stopped for me—"
What is the meaning of this figurative language?
The person was busy living life and died suddenly.
Read the following sentence:
"The forest was shrouded in mist, making it nearly impossible to see anything clearly."
Which of the following best defines "shrouded" as used in the sentence?
A) Covered or hidden
B) Cleaned or cleared
C) Lit up
D) Explored or discovered
A) Covered or hidden
"The stars above us blinked their tired eyes,
While the moon quietly sighed."
Analyze the use of personification in this excerpt. How does this figurative language choice impact the mood of the poem?
The author uses personification by giving human traits to non-human things, like stars “blinking their tired eyes” and the moon “sighing.” This makes the stars and moon seem alive and relatable, which evokes a sense of weariness or sadness. The figurative language creates a mood of calmness and quiet reflection, making the reader feel that the night is peaceful yet somewhat melancholic.
Read the following excerpt from a story:
"After hours of searching, they finally found the missing kitten. It was curled up in a corner, safe and sound, with no harm done. They could hardly believe their eyes as they picked it up and hugged it close."
What is the tone of this passage?
A) Triumphant
B) Gloomy
C) Indifferent
D) Pessimistic
A. Triumphant