Literary Devices — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
"I could eat a horse" is an example of a simile because it compares the speaker to a horse.
Corrected: "I could eat a horse" is an example of hyperbole because it uses extreme exaggeration.
Nobody can actually eat a whole horse, so this is extreme exaggeration (hyperbole) to show how hungry the speaker feels. A simile would need the word "like" or "as" to make a comparison.
2. Fix the sentence:
Symbolism is when words imitate real sounds like bang or whoosh.
Corrected: Onomatopoeia is when words imitate real sounds like bang or whoosh.
Words like "bang" and "whoosh" sound like the actual noises they describe, which is the definition of onomatopoeia. Symbolism means using an object to represent a bigger idea, which has nothing to do with imitating sounds.
3. Fix the sentence:
"The velvety chocolate melted on her tongue" uses alliteration to describe a taste experience.
Corrected: "The velvety chocolate melted on her tongue" uses imagery to describe a taste experience.
The sentence describes how the chocolate feels and tastes, which engages the reader's senses and makes it imagery. Alliteration would require repeating the same beginning consonant sound across multiple words.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. "This suitcase weighs a million pounds" is an example of hyperbole because nobody's suitcase truly weighs that much.
Saying a suitcase weighs a million pounds is a wild exaggeration nobody takes literally. This kind of over-the-top statement to make a point is exactly what hyperbole means.
2. "The icy lemonade tingled against her dry lips" uses imagery that appeals to the sense of taste.
The description of icy lemonade tingling against dry lips puts the reader right at the moment of tasting a cold drink. Words like "tingled" and "dry lips" connect directly to the taste experience.
3. In literature, a broken mirror often symbolizes bad luck or a broken identity.
A mirror reflects who you are, so a broken mirror suggests that a person's sense of self is shattered or fractured. The physical damage to the mirror mirrors the damage to identity.
4. "My teacher has eyes in the back of her head" is figurative language because it is not meant to be taken literally.
No one actually has eyes in the back of their head. Figurative language uses words in a non-literal way, so this phrase really just means the teacher seems to notice everything.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Read: "The smooth, cool marble felt heavy in his palm." Which literary device is used? Name the sense or senses it appeals to.
Sample answer: This sentence uses imagery. It appeals to the sense of touch because it describes how the marble feels: smooth, cool, and heavy.
A good answer includes: This sentence uses imagery. It appeals to the sense of touch because it describes how the marble feels: smooth, cool, and heavy.
2. Explain the difference between hyperbole and a metaphor using an example of each.
Sample answer: Hyperbole is extreme exaggeration, like "I am so hungry I could eat a whole elephant." A metaphor compares two unlike things without using like or as, such as "Life is a roller coaster."
A good answer includes: Hyperbole is extreme exaggeration, like "I am so hungry I could eat a whole elephant." A metaphor compares two unlike things without using like or as, such as "Life is a roller coaster."