Figurative Language
“I was so hungry I could eat a horse.” What does this sentence really mean?
The person is very hungry.
When Liam’s name wasn’t called for the team, he shrugged and said, “Whatever, I didn’t really want to play anyway.” What can we infer about how Liam actually feels?
He’s disappointed or sad.
The dark clouds gathered, and thunder rumbled in the distance. Mr. Jones told his class they would have indoor recess instead of going outside. Everyone groaned but got out board games. Why did the students stay inside for recess?
Because a storm or bad weather was coming.
The old house looked abandoned, with broken windows and weeds everywhere. What does abandoned mean?
Empty or left behind
“My backpack weighs a ton.” What does the speaker mean?
The backpack feels very heavy.
Maria stared at her phone, refreshing her messages again and again. Her stomach felt tight. What is Maria probably feeling and why?
She’s anxious or nervous—maybe waiting for an important message.
Lily raced down the hall, clutching her permission slip. When she reached the bus, the driver smiled and said, “Right on time!” Lily sighed with relief and found her seat. What was Lily worried about?
Missing the bus or being late for a trip.
After hiking all day, we were exhausted and could barely keep our eyes open. What does exhausted mean?
Very tired
“After the long day, my brain is mush.” What does this mean?
The person is tired or can’t think clearly.
During the group project, Jake kept checking everyone’s progress and reminding them of the deadline. What can you infer about Jake’s personality?
He’s responsible or likes to be in control.
The class gasped when the volcano model suddenly erupted. Red baking-soda foam spilled over the sides of the box. Ms. Lee laughed and said, “Now that’s what I call realistic!” What was the class doing before the eruption?
A science experiment or demonstration.
The frigid air made our breath look like smoke. What does frigid mean?
Very cold
“The test was a breeze.” What does this mean?
The test was very easy.
When the teacher handed back the test, Taylor smiled but quickly turned the paper face down. What can we infer about Taylor?
Taylor might have gotten a low score and feels embarrassed.
Sarah’s team was losing by one point. With only seconds left, she ran down the court and took a deep breath before shooting. The ball swished through the net just as the buzzer sounded. What happened as a result of Sarah’s shot?
Her team won (she scored just before the game ended).
The teacher’s generous offer to buy supplies surprised everyone. What does generous mean?
Kind and giving
“Her words cut deeper than a knife.” What does this mean?
What she said hurt someone’s feelings badly.
Jordan practiced his presentation every night but still avoided raising his hand in class.What two feelings might Jordan be experiencing?
Confidence in his preparation but fear or anxiety about speaking.
Jamal looked at his report card and smiled when he saw his grades. He ran to show his mom, who hugged him tightly. “All that studying paid off,” she said. What lesson can we learn from this situation?
Hard work and studying lead to success.
The detective found the clues gradually, piece by piece. What does gradually mean?
Slowly over time