Types Of Figurative Language

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY
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Quizzes Created: 4 | Total Attempts: 2,038
| Attempts: 541 | Questions: 32 | Updated: Mar 21, 2025
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1. Kyle's father was as stern as a judge when he came home after curfew.

Explanation

The given sentence compares Kyle's father to a judge using the phrase "as stern as a judge." This is an example of a simile because it uses the word "as" to make a comparison between two unlike things. The simile emphasizes the strictness and seriousness of Kyle's father by comparing him to a judge, who is known for their authority and seriousness in a courtroom setting.

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About This Quiz
Types Of Figurative Language - Quiz

Read the statement and identify whether it is an example of a simile, metaphor or personification.

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2. The waxed floor was as slippery as an ice rink.

Explanation

This sentence is an example of a simile because it compares the slippery nature of the waxed floor to that of an ice rink using the word "as." Similes use "like" or "as" to make a comparison between two different things, highlighting their similarities. In this case, the writer is emphasizing the extreme slipperiness of the floor by likening it to the slippery surface of an ice rink.

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3. Louis is as strong and as tall as a redwood tree.

Explanation

The given sentence compares Louis to a redwood tree using the words "as strong and as tall as." This comparison indicates that Louis possesses the same qualities of strength and height as a redwood tree. This is an example of a simile, as it uses the word "as" to make the comparison.

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4. All the world's a stage.

Explanation

The phrase "All the world's a stage" is a metaphor because it is comparing the world to a stage, implying that life is like a play where people play different roles. A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unrelated things to create a vivid and imaginative image. In this case, the metaphor emphasizes the idea that life is filled with various acts and performances, highlighting the theatrical nature of human existence.

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5. After a week without rain, the flowers begged to be watered.

Explanation

The given sentence personifies the flowers by suggesting that they are begging to be watered. This is an example of personification, as it attributes human-like qualities (the ability to beg) to non-human objects (the flowers).

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6. She is peaches and cream.

Explanation

The phrase "She is peaches and cream" is a metaphor because it compares the person to the qualities of peaches and cream. It suggests that the person has a smooth and soft complexion, just like peaches and cream. Metaphors compare two unrelated things to create a vivid image or convey a deeper meaning.

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7. Iva worked hard on her report. After presenting it to the class, she felt as light as a feather.

Explanation

The given statement "she felt as light as a feather" is comparing Iva's feeling to the lightness of a feather. This comparison is using the word "as" which indicates a simile. A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using "like" or "as". In this case, it is comparing Iva's feeling to the lightness of a feather, emphasizing how light and relieved she felt after presenting her report.

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8. Computers talk to one another.

Explanation

The correct answer is personification because personification is the literary device used to give human qualities or characteristics to non-human things. In this case, the statement "Computers talk to one another" is using personification to give the computers the ability to communicate like humans.

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9. The trees of the forest watched sympathetically over the lost child.

Explanation

The correct answer is personification because in the sentence, the trees are being described as watching sympathetically over the lost child. This is an example of personification because it is giving human-like qualities to the trees by suggesting that they have the ability to watch and feel sympathy.

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10. The storm took the house in its teeth and shook it.

Explanation

The given sentence uses personification to describe the storm. By stating that the storm "took the house in its teeth and shook it," the storm is being given human-like qualities of being able to grasp and shake objects. This personification helps to create a vivid and dramatic image of the storm's power and intensity.

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11. Wiley was very good at chess.  "You have to watch him," said his father.  "He's a real fox."

Explanation

The given statement "He's a real fox" is an example of a metaphor. It compares Wiley to a fox, implying that he is cunning, clever, and strategic, just like a fox is known to be.

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12. The ball was thrown like a bullet.

Explanation

The given sentence compares the way the ball was thrown to the way a bullet moves. This comparison is made using the word "like," indicating that it is a simile. A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using the words "like" or "as." In this case, the ball and the bullet are being compared in terms of their speed or trajectory.

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13. Fall leaves were scattered like confetti.

Explanation

The given sentence compares fall leaves to confetti by using the word "like." This indicates that it is a simile, which is a figure of speech that compares two different things using "like" or "as." Similes are used to create vivid imagery and enhance the reader's understanding by drawing comparisons between unrelated objects or ideas. In this case, the simile emphasizes the scattered and colorful nature of the fall leaves, likening them to the way confetti is scattered during celebrations.

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14. The old car woke reluctantly from its overnight sleep.  Coughing and sputtering, it finally broke into a loud roar.

Explanation

The correct answer is personification. This is because the sentence attributes human qualities (waking up, coughing, sputtering) to the old car, which is an inanimate object. Personification is a figure of speech where non-human objects are given human characteristics, making the writing more vivid and engaging.

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15. The boy's room was an amusement arcade.

Explanation

The statement "The boy's room was an amusement arcade" is a metaphor because it is comparing the boy's room to an amusement arcade without using the words "like" or "as." This comparison suggests that the boy's room is filled with excitement, entertainment, and possibly chaos, just like an amusement arcade.

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16. The moon peeked out from behind the clouds.

Explanation

The given sentence "The moon peeked out from behind the clouds" is an example of personification because it attributes human-like qualities or actions to the moon by saying it "peeked out" from behind the clouds. Personification involves giving non-human objects or animals human characteristics to make them more relatable or vivid in writing.

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17. The truck groaned under the weight of its load.

Explanation

The correct answer is personification. Personification is a figure of speech in which human qualities are attributed to non-human entities. In this sentence, the truck is being described as groaning, which is a human action. Since trucks cannot actually groan, this is an example of personification.

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18. The rain was a curtain of water.

Explanation

The phrase "the rain was a curtain of water" is comparing the rain to a curtain using the word "was." This comparison is not meant to be taken literally, as rain cannot physically be a curtain. Therefore, this statement is an example of a metaphor, which is a figure of speech that compares two things without using "like" or "as." In this case, it suggests that the rain is similar to a curtain in some way, perhaps in the way it falls or the way it obstructs visibility.

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19. Grandmother's dresser smelled like a rose garden.

Explanation

The correct answer is simile because it compares the smell of the grandmother's dresser to a rose garden. A simile uses the words "like" or "as" to make a comparison between two different things. In this case, the smell of the dresser is being compared to the pleasant scent of a rose garden.

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20. Jenny cooked the candy too long.  When she took it out of the oven it was hard as a rock.

Explanation

The given sentence compares the hardness of the candy to a rock, using the phrase "hard as a rock." This is an example of a simile, which is a figure of speech that compares two different things using "like" or "as." In this case, the comparison emphasizes the extreme hardness of the candy by likening it to the hardness of a rock.

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21. The idea was a fire in my head.

Explanation

The phrase "a fire in my head" is comparing the idea to a fire, suggesting that it is intense, consuming, and perhaps even overwhelming. This is an example of a metaphor, as it is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things without using "like" or "as".

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22. Big sisters are the crabgrass in the lawn of life.

Explanation

The phrase "Big sisters are the crabgrass in the lawn of life" is comparing big sisters to crabgrass in order to convey the idea that they are unwanted or annoying. This is a metaphor because it is using figurative language to make a direct comparison between two unrelated things. It is not a simile because it does not use "like" or "as" to make the comparison. It is also not personification because it is not giving human qualities to non-human objects.

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23. Shay ran in a relay race on Saturday.  When it was over, her legs felt like lead.

Explanation

The phrase "her legs felt like lead" is a comparison using the word "like," indicating a simile. It suggests that Shay's legs felt heavy and slow, similar to the weight and density of lead.

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24. The rained puddled at the door and washed anyone who entered with its splatter.

Explanation

The correct answer is personification because the sentence attributes human qualities or actions to the rain puddle by saying that it "washed" anyone who entered with its splatter. This gives the rain puddle human-like characteristics, which is the essence of personification.

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25. The green vines wound their green arms around the rusty gate.

Explanation

The given sentence personifies the green vines by describing them as having "green arms" that are winding around the rusty gate. This attribution of human-like qualities to the vines is an example of personification, as it gives them the ability to perform an action (winding) that only humans can typically do.

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26. John's new car was a lemon.

Explanation

The phrase "John's new car was a lemon" is a metaphor because it is comparing John's car to a lemon, implying that the car is defective or of poor quality. A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unrelated things, without using "like" or "as". In this case, the comparison between the car and a lemon helps convey the idea that the car is not functioning properly.

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27. The storm was a savage beast. 

Explanation

The given sentence "The storm was a savage beast" is an example of a metaphor. It compares the storm to a savage beast, implying that the storm was fierce, wild, and dangerous, just like a beast. A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unrelated things, without using "like" or "as." In this case, the storm and the savage beast are not literally the same, but the metaphor creates a vivid image and emphasizes the intensity and destructive nature of the storm.

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28. After Marshall climbed three flights of stairs, he had to sit down.  He was a puffing steam engine.

Explanation

The statement "He was a puffing steam engine" is comparing Marshall's heavy breathing and exhaustion to that of a steam engine, suggesting that he was breathing heavily and struggling to catch his breath. This is a metaphor because it is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things that are unrelated but share similar characteristics. In this case, Marshall's physical state is being compared to the actions and characteristics of a steam engine.

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29. The wide rock ledge was a safe harbor for the weary mountain climbers.

Explanation

The correct answer is metaphor because the sentence is comparing the wide rock ledge to a safe harbor for weary mountain climbers. The use of "was" indicates that the rock ledge is not actually a safe harbor, but it is being described as one to convey the idea of safety and refuge.

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30. The day after the rain, the air was clean and fresh.  A soft breeze carried the scent of lilacs.

Explanation

The given answer is personification because it attributes human qualities to the soft breeze by stating that it "carried" the scent of lilacs. Personification is a figure of speech in which inanimate objects or abstract concepts are given human characteristics, and in this case, the breeze is given the ability to carry the scent, which is something only humans can do.

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31. The kitchen is the heart of my mother's home.

Explanation

The phrase "the heart of my mother's home" is comparing the kitchen to the heart, suggesting that the kitchen is the central and most important part of the home, just like how the heart is the central and most important organ in the body. This comparison is an example of a metaphor, as it is not meant to be taken literally but rather to convey a deeper meaning.

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32. The train whistle screamed as the train flew through the tunnel.

Explanation

The correct answer is personification because the sentence gives human qualities to the train whistle by stating that it "screamed." Personification is a figure of speech in which inanimate objects or animals are given human characteristics or qualities. In this case, the train whistle is personified as it is described as screaming, which is a human action.

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Kyle's father was as stern as a judge when he came home after...
The waxed floor was as slippery as an ice rink.
Louis is as strong and as tall as a redwood tree.
All the world's a stage.
After a week without rain, the flowers begged to be watered.
She is peaches and cream.
Iva worked hard on her report. After presenting it to the class,...
Computers talk to one another.
The trees of the forest watched sympathetically over the lost child.
The storm took the house in its teeth and shook it.
Wiley was very good at chess.  "You have to watch him,"...
The ball was thrown like a bullet.
Fall leaves were scattered like confetti.
The old car woke reluctantly from its overnight sleep.  Coughing...
The boy's room was an amusement arcade.
The moon peeked out from behind the clouds.
The truck groaned under the weight of its load.
The rain was a curtain of water.
Grandmother's dresser smelled like a rose garden.
Jenny cooked the candy too long.  When she took it out of the...
The idea was a fire in my head.
Big sisters are the crabgrass in the lawn of life.
Shay ran in a relay race on Saturday.  When it was over, her legs...
The rained puddled at the door and washed anyone who entered with its...
The green vines wound their green arms around the rusty gate.
John's new car was a lemon.
The storm was a savage beast. 
After Marshall climbed three flights of stairs, he had to sit...
The wide rock ledge was a safe harbor for the weary mountain climbers.
The day after the rain, the air was clean and fresh.  A soft...
The kitchen is the heart of my mother's home.
The train whistle screamed as the train flew through the tunnel.
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