Figurative Language
"The city never sleeps."
This is an example of this type of figurative language.
Personification
If a passage describes dark clouds, thunder, and silence before a storm, the mood is most likely this.
gloomy, suspenseful, scary, tense, or melancholy
What is the difference between a narrator's perspective and their bias?
A narrator's perspective is how they feel about a topic. Their bias is a specific preference they have based on their individual characteristics and history.
You are writing an essay on climate change and want to include recent scientific data. Which source would be most credible?
A. A personal blog post about climate change experiences
B. A peer-reviewed article in the journal Nature
C. A news article on social media shared by a friend
D. A Wikipedia page
B. A peer-reviewed article in the journal Nature
Which of the following words is NOT a type of figurative language?
A. Metaphor
B. Hyperbole
C. Irony
D. Paragraph
D. Paragraph
Interpret this figure of speech literally:
"The classroom was a battlefield during the debate."
The debate became intense, as if students were battling.
I glanced at the clock and swallowed hard. The ticking seemed louder now, each second mocking me. Sweat pooled at my temples as I realized the answer to the question wasn’t coming, and my mind raced with imagined consequences.
What is the narrator's tone towards the test he is taking?
anxious, tense, or nervous
I couldn’t understand why everyone was cheering for the new policy at school. To me, it felt like another rule designed to make students miserable. Every time I thought about it, my stomach tightened, and I wondered if anyone else even considered how it would affect us day-to-day.
What is the narrator’s perspective on the new policy, and what words show their opinion?
Perspective: Negative; they don't think the policy is necessary.
Evidence: “felt like another rule designed to make students miserable,” “stomach tightened,” “wondered if anyone else even considered…”
You want to write an essay about the effects of social media on teenagers’ mental health. Which source is most appropriate for supporting evidence?
A. A 2018 TED Talk by a psychologist on social media
B. A YouTube video with funny social media memes
C. An Instagram post complaining about online homework
D. A forum discussion thread about apps
A. A 2018 TED Talk by a psychologist on social media
I live in stories, but I am not always real.
I can change, grow, or reveal feelings.
What am I?
A narrator or character
If an author calls a character a bull, what characteristic are they giving them with this metaphor?
The author is saying the character is stubborn and rough.
The sunset spilled across the sky in shades of gold and crimson. Birds returned to their nests, and the air carried a gentle warmth that made the world feel safe and calm. Even the river reflected the soft colors, as if the day were bidding the world a peaceful farewell.
What phrases indicate a peaceful or serene tone in this passage?
“gentle warmth"
"safe and calm"
“river reflected soft colors”
"peaceful farewell"
Jamal watched as those of us in the crowd applauded his debate opponent. He didn’t seem to understand why anyone was impressed, as his opponent's argument was shallow and uninformed.
The narrator here is likely,
A. Jamal's coach
B. An audience member
C. Jamal's teammate
D. God
B. An audience member
You are writing an essay about the history of jazz music. Which source would provide the most reliable historical information?
A. A jazz fan’s personal blog
B. A history textbook published by a university press
C. A social media post about a jazz festival
D. A song lyrics website
B. A history textbook published by a university press
I speak volumes and characterize, but I technically have no mouth. I have no body, but I bring life to a story. What am I in terms of literature?
A. A poem
B. A character
C. An echo in a story
D. Dialogue
D. Dialogue
The cafeteria roared like a stadium after the final bell rang. Trays slammed onto tables, voices bounced off the walls, and laughter echoed through the room. For a moment, it felt as if the building itself might burst from the noise.
How can this environment be literally interpreted?
Chaotic, dangerous, out of control.
He smiled at her joke, but saw there was something hollow in her eyes, a cold distance he couldn’t quite reach. Her mannerisms seemed rehearsed, almost like a mask hiding what she really felt.
What is the narrator's attitude towards the girl he is talking to?
Curious or suspicious
Everyone in the room felt nervous as the debate began. Emily tried to hide it, but her hands shook slightly. Across the room, Michael’s confidence masked his worry, though he feared he might forget his lines.
What POV is the narrator speaking from?
Third person Omniscient
You want to write an argumentative essay on school uniforms. Which source is most useful for understanding both sides of the debate?
A. A study comparing behaviors of students who wear uniforms and those that don't.
B. A student’s personal diary entry complaining about uniforms
C. A single editorial that opposes school uniforms
D. A fashion blog showing uniform styles
A. A study comparing behaviors of students who wear uniforms and those that don't.
A story that is told backward, starting with the ending and moving to the beginning, is called:
A. Foreshadowing
B. Flashback
C. Reverse chronology
D. Circular narrative
C. Reverse chronology
Maria stared at the math test resting on her desk. The numbers blurred together, and the questions seemed to rise higher and higher, forming a mountain she was certain she could never climb. Her hands trembled as the timer began to tick.
What implicit characterization is being done through figurative language here.
Maria is being characterized as overwhelmed, anxious, and believes the test is very difficult.
The new student stood at the edge of the classroom, his confidence shrinking like ice under the hot sun. With every whisper and sideways glance, he felt smaller and more uncertain.
What words indicate that the new student was nervous?
"confidence shrinking"
"smaller and more uncertain"
Recycling isn’t just an optional activity; it is a moral responsibility. We cannot continue to ignore the mounting waste and pollution. Those who dismiss environmental concerns are not only harming themselves but jeopardizing the future of generations to come.
Who is likely making this statement?
A. Someone's mom
B. An environmentalist
C. A landfill manager
D. A racoon
B. An environmentalist
What does the R in the CRAAP method for checking credibility stand for?
Relevant
Based on what you know about etymology and word parts, what do you think the phrase "en media res" likely means?
A. Restful media
B. In the middle
C. 12:00 pm
D. Television
B. In the middle