Figurative Language Quiz

Which of the following is a simile?

• Her smile was sunshine.

• The wind whispered through the trees.

• He was as brave as a lion.

• Time flew by.

Answer explanation

A simile compares two different things using 'like' or 'as'. 'He was as brave as a lion' uses 'as' to compare bravery to a lion, making it a simile. The other options do not use this comparison format.

What is a metaphor?

• A word that imitates a sound.

• A direct comparison using 'like' or 'as'.

• A figure of speech that gives human qualities to objects.

• A comparison that says one thing is another thing.

Answer explanation

A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison by stating that one thing is another, enhancing meaning and understanding. This distinguishes it from similes, which use 'like' or 'as'.

Which sentence contains personification?

• The moon was a ghostly galleon.

• The clock told me it was time to go.

• He ran like the wind.

• She is a shining star.

Answer explanation

The sentence 'The clock told me it was time to go.' uses personification by giving the clock the human ability to 'tell' time, which is an action typically associated with people.

What is the effect of using hyperbole in writing?

• To give non-human things human traits

• To make a comparison using 'like' or 'as'

• To exaggerate for emphasis or humor

• To describe a sound

Answer explanation

Hyperbole is a literary device that involves exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally. It is used to create emphasis or humor, making the correct choice 'To exaggerate for emphasis or humor'.

Which sentence is an example of onomatopoeia?

• The car was as fast as lightning.

• The bees buzzed angrily.

• Her eyes sparkled like stars.

• He has a heart of gold.

Answer explanation

Onomatopoeia refers to words that imitate sounds. 'The bees buzzed angrily' uses 'buzzed' to mimic the sound bees make, making it the correct example of onomatopoeia.

"The classroom was a zoo." is an example of:

• Simile

• Hyperbole

• Metaphor

• Personification

Answer explanation

'The classroom was a zoo.' is a metaphor because it directly compares the classroom to a zoo, suggesting chaos without using 'like' or 'as', which would indicate a simile.

Which phrase is a hyperbole?

• I've told you a million times.

• The sky was as blue as the ocean.

Answer explanation

The phrase "I've told you a million times" is a hyperbole because it exaggerates the number of times something has been said for emphasis, while the phrase "The sky was as blue as the ocean" is a simile, not an exaggeration.

What figure of speech is used in "Bang! The balloon popped"?

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Onomatopoeia

• Hyperbole

Answer explanation

The phrase "Bang!" imitates the sound of the balloon popping, making it an example of onomatopoeia. This figure of speech uses words that phonetically resemble the sound they describe.

"His words cut deeper than a knife" is an example of:

• Personification

• Hyperbole

• Metaphor

• Onomatopoeia

Answer explanation

The phrase "His words cut deeper than a knife" compares the impact of words to a knife, illustrating a strong emotional effect. This is a metaphor, as it implies a direct comparison without using 'like' or 'as', unlike similes.

Which sentence contains a simile?

• The clouds were like cotton candy in the sky.

• She ran as fast as a cheetah.

• The sun smiled down at us.

• It's raining cats and dogs.

Answer explanation

The sentence 'She ran as fast as a cheetah' contains a simile, comparing her speed to that of a cheetah using 'as'. This figure of speech highlights the quickness in a vivid way.