Show:
Figurative Language
Effects and Meanings
Metaphorical Meaning
Idioms
100
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly? A. I am so hungry, I could eat a horse! B. I am so hungry that I will need to eat a horse. C. I am not very hungry, so I will eat a horse. D. The horse was very hungry.
A. I am so hungry, I could eat a horse!
100
from "Chicago" by Carl Sandburg Under the smoke, dust all over his mouth, laughing with white teeth, Under the terrible burden of destiny laughing as a young man laughs, Laughing even as an ignorant fighter laughs who has never lost a battle, Bragging and laughing that under his wrist is the pulse, and under his ribs the heart of the people, Laughing! What is the effect of these lines? A. They convey a sense of pride in the narrator's city. B. They describe the city as young and rash. C. They convey a sense of fear about the future. D. They convey a feeling of disappointment.
A. They convey a sense of pride in the narrator's city.
100
The teeth of the crocodile are little white knives. Explain this metaphor.
Acceptable answer: The crocodile's teeth are very sharp.
100
Use the following idiom in a sentence, then tell what it means: Under the weather
Acceptable answer: I am feeling under the weather today. "Under the weather" means you are not feeling well.
200
“Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day,” is an example of what kind of figurative language? A. Simile B. Symbolism C. Metaphor D. Onomatopoeia
C. Metaphor
200
"I, Too" by Langston Hughes "I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong. Tomorrow, I'll be at the table When company comes. Nobody'll dare Say to me, "Eat in the kitchen," Then. Besides, They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed-- I, too, am America." What does the narrator mean in the second stanza? A. He is going to get back at people who were mean to him. B. He will rise up, and he will be recognized as an equal man and not just a lower class citizen. C. He is mad that his mother will not let him sit at the table. D. He will invite his enemies to dinner and sit with them at the table.
B. He will rise up, and he will be recognized as an equal man and not just a lower class citizen.
200
My life is a dream come true! Explain this metaphor.
Acceptable answer: She is happy with her life.
200
Use the following idiom in a sentence and tell the meaning: Down to Earth
Acceptable Answer: The movie star was surprisingly down to Earth considering her superstar status. "Down to Earth" means normal and not snobby or stuck up.
300
"I'll love you, dear, I'll love you / Till China and Africa meet, / And the river jumps over the mountain / And the salmon sing in the street." This stanza contains examples of what kind of figurative language? A. Simile B. Hyperbole C. Metaphor D. Onomatopoeia
B. Hyperbole
300
From "My Papa's Waltz" by Theodore Roethke "We romped until the pans Slid from the kitchen shelf; My mother's countenance Could not unfrown itself." How does the rhythm effect the tone of this stanza? A. It sounds playful and light, making the reader think they are playing. B. It sounds harsh, making the reader think the narrator is not safe. C. It sounds very peaceful, making the reader think the narrator is relaxed. D. It sounds like an even march, making the reader think it is serious.
A. It sounds playful and light, making the reader think they are playing.
300
The bird fired a white missile, which exploded on my windshield. Explain the metaphor.
Acceptable answer: The bird pooped on my car.
300
Use the following idiom in a sentence and explain what it means: Eat your words
Acceptable answer: You will have to eat your words after losing tomorrow's game. "Eat your words" means that you bragged and then were put in your place.
400
The boy was as tall as a small tree. This sentence contains what kind of figurative language? A. Simile B. Hyperbole C. Metaphor D. Onomatopoeia
A. Simile
400
"Beat! Beat! Drums" by Walt Whitman "Beat! beat! drums!—blow! bugles! blow! Through the windows—through doors—burst like a ruthless force, Into the solemn church, and scatter the congregation, Into the school where the scholar is studying, Leave not the bridegroom quiet—no happiness must he have now with his bride, Nor the peaceful farmer any peace, ploughing his field or gathering his grain, So fierce you whirr and pound you drums—so shrill you bugles blow." What is the effect of the rhythm of the first line, "Beat! beat! drums!—blow! bugles! blow!"? A. The rhythm is steady like a war march, but demanding as well. B. The rhythm is slow and sounds like a funeral procession. C. The rhythm is fast and upbeat, giving the reader an impression of a party. D. The rhythm is uneven and forces the reader to create images in his or her head.
A. The rhythm is steady like a war march, but demanding as well.
400
My teacher told me that ideas are wings. Explain the metaphor.
Acceptable answer: Ideas give someone space for creativity.
400
Use the following idiom in a sentence and explain it: Tip of the iceberg
Acceptable answer: I am afraid these problems are just the tip of the iceberg; your medical problems are much more serious. "Tip of the iceberg" means that there is much more happening that you cannot see just yet.
500
Hey diddle, Diddle, The cat and the fiddle, The cow jumped over the moon; The little dog laughed To see such sport, And the dish ran away with the spoon. This nursery rhyme contains examples of...? A. Simile B. Personification C. Metaphor D. Hyperbole
B. Personification
500
from "The Book of Questions" III. "Tell me, is the rose naked or is that her only dress? Why do trees conceal the splendor of their roots? Who hears the regrets of the thieving automobile? Is there anything in the world sadder than a train standing in the rain?" How does the structure of the poem effect the meaning? A. Each stanza is unrelated to the others around it. B. Each two-line stanza is connected to the questions around it, making the reader connect the answers. C. Each stanza has two lines. D. Each two-line stanza makes the reader think about each question individually instead of altogether.
D. Each two-line stanza makes the reader think about each question individually instead of altogether.
500
"The Toaster" William Jay Smith A silver-scaled Dragon with jaws flaming red Sits at my elbow and toasts my bread. I hand him fat slices, and then, one by one, He hands them back when he sees they are done. Explain the metaphor.
Acceptable answer: The toaster turns red like a dragon and toasts bread.
500
Use the idiom in a sentence and then explain it: Put on the back burner
Acceptable answer: My dreams of becoming an actress have been put on the back burner for now until I can make enough money to move to Hollywood. "Put on the back burner" means that your plans have been disrupted and you have to wait to finish them.