Figurative Language: SOL STYLE QUESTIONS

Directions: Select the correct text in the passage.

Which of the following sentences contains figurative language?

The Bull

     Even though I had spent my whole life in New York City, I'd always been fascinated by bull riding. Other kids in my class talked about wanting to be professional football or basketball players when they grew up. I wanted to be a professional bull rider. Anytime I saw that bull riding would be coming on the TV, I got as excited as a kid at Christmas. I would post a note near our TV, letting my family know that I would be using the TV at a specific time. No one else in my family liked bull riding, so I would watch with Bullhorn, my pet hermit crab. Bullhorn never complained about watching bull riding. 

     Today, finally, another event was coming on the TV. I hadn't seen any bull riding in weeks! Fifteen minutes before the event was scheduled to start, I went up to my room to take Bullhorn out of his cage. Bullhorn wasn't there! I emptied out his cage and even looked around my room to see if he had escaped, but I couldn't find him. My room seemed to be laughing at me, as if to say, "What? Can't find your friend? I know where he is!"

     I gave up and went downstairs. Bullhorn was on the couch in a brand new cage! The inside of the cage was a miniature version of a rodeo, and Bullhorn even had his own tiny cowboy hat. There was also a plate with some cookies and a glass of milk. I sat down and turned on the TV. The plush couch pillows hugged me to say hello. I'm pretty sure Bullhorn smiled.

2.

Directions: Select the correct text in the passage.

Which of the following sentences contains a metaphor? 

Building a Strong Body Image

     As kids become teenagers and start going through puberty, it can be hard for them to deal with all the changes their bodies are going through. It is important that teens be taught the importance of building not only strong and healthy bodies but also strong and healthy body images.
     Because of society's emphasis on being thin, studies have found that many teens develop poor self-esteem when they start going through puberty. When a body is growing, weight gain can sometimes happen quickly, but some teens do not understand what is happening and panic. They may try to eat less, which will get in the way of the body's development. Bodies are race cars and need to be cared for in order to perform well. If teens treat their bodies like rental cars, though, trouble will arise. Unlike rental cars, bodies cannot be returned, and teens who try to combat a poor body image by starving themselves will disrupt their development. 
     These days, kids as young as seven or eight are going on diets. Yes, obesity is a real problem, and it should be addressed. Sometimes, young kids may need to change their eating habits for the sake of their overall health and quality of life. However, many kids who are perfectly healthy are trying to diet too. Kids need to be taught that healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes, like fruit off a tree. No two apples look exactly the same, and neither do any two bodies.


ANSWER
A metaphor is a form of figurative language that makes a direct comparison between two unlike things.The sentence containing a metaphor is "Bodies are race cars and need to be cared for in order to perform well." In this sentence, bodies are being directly compared to race cars.

3.

Directions: Drag the tiles to the boxes to form correct pairs.

Which sentences from the passage match each type of figurative language?

• After she closed the door, silence slapped her in the face.
• Suddenly, a striped orange cat galloped toward Janine like a racehorse.
• Tiger's purr was a chainsaw that sliced through the air.

SIMILE

METAPHOR

PERSONIFICATION

ANSWER EXPLANATION

The sentence "Suddenly, a striped orange cat galloped toward Janine like a racehorse" uses a simile.A simile is a comparison that uses "like" or "as."

The sentence "Tiger's purr was a chainsaw that sliced through the air" uses a metaphor. A metaphor is a comparison that does not use "like" or "as."

The sentence "After she closed the door, silence slapped her in the face" uses personification.Personification gives human characteristics to a nonhuman object.

4. Which of these sentences from the story uses hyperbole?

"Soon, Lefty was zooming down the freeway."

"Jesse was right, he thought to himself."

"The air cut through the window and hummed."

"This thing is quicker than a jack rabbit on a rocket."

5. Which phrase from the poem makes Death seem human?

Feels shorter than the Day

The Roof was scarcely visible

My labor and my leisure too

He kindly stopped for me

6. Which line or lines from the poem contain a metaphor?

"in the wall with the other 99-plus Johnsons"

"I'm stone. I'm flesh."

"Then, you realize that there are over 100 names"

"I served with a Johnson—Andrew Johnson—and his name is nestled"

Don't Forget To Be Awesome!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am an educator with over 25 years of teaching experience; I currently teach English in the public school system of Virginia. In my spare time, I am an avid reader. writer, reviewer, blogger, writing/art journaler, beekeeper, grad student, and MOTHER. - See more: Here