Figurative Language | Answer Keys

Student Concept Worksheet Answers

Question	Answer
1	Type: Metaphor What it really means: The cafeteria was chaotic, loud, and wild with students behaving energetically Effect: Creates a vivid image of chaos and noise; helps readers instantly understand the atmosphere
2	Type: Simile What it really means: The phone is extremely slow Effect: Creates a humorous image; emphasizes frustration with the phone's speed by using an absurd comparison
3	Type: Personification What it really means: The old floor made creaking sounds when stepped on Effect: Makes the house seem alive and old; creates an eerie, atmospheric mood
4	Hyperbole 1: "mountain of homework" Hyperbole 2: "a billion years to finish" Why exaggeration: To emphasize the speaker's stress and frustration about having a lot of homework; adds humor and relatability

Practice Worksheet Answers

Question	Answer
1	B. Metaphor It directly compares her heart to a jackhammer without using "like" or "as."
2	B. It emphasizes how nervous and weak Maya felt
3	"her words wrapping around Maya like a warm blanket" - This personification (words wrapping) combined with the simile (like a warm blanket) makes the coach's encouragement feel comforting, protective, and supportive. It shows how the words made Maya feel safe and reassured.
4	B. Metaphor Time is personified as flying, and "wings of lightning" is a metaphorical image.
5	"Conquered the mountain" means Maya overcame the huge challenge of the championship game and her own self-doubt. The metaphor contributes by comparing her achievement to climbing a mountain - it was difficult, required effort and determination, but she reached the top (victory).
6	Examples include: "watching the neighborhood" (windows as eyes), "tired eyes," "shoulders of an elderly man," "shedding its skin," "moan your name," "whisper warnings," "screamed in protest," "moon hid its face." The personification creates a creepy, haunted mood by making the house seem alive, old, and aware of what's happening. It builds tension and unease.
7	A. Simile - it uses comparison with "than" to exaggerate darkness The comparative structure with "than" functions similarly to similes using "like" or "as."
8	B. Tommy has become extremely scared despite trying to be brave
9	The moon personification ("hid its face" and "couldn't bear to watch") creates a foreboding mood by suggesting that even nature is afraid of what will happen to Tommy. It increases tension and makes the reader feel like something terrible is coming.
10	B. Amara feels completely unfamiliar and out of place in her new environment
11	"checked her schedule a million times" or "hallways stretched for miles" - The author used exaggeration to emphasize Amara's extreme anxiety and how overwhelming the new school felt to her.
12	The personification creates a physical, tangible image of anxiety as a threatening presence that grips her. This is more powerful than simply stating "Amara felt anxious" because it helps readers feel the tightness and fear in their own chests. It makes the emotion visceral rather than abstract.
13	The connected metaphors create a journey narrative: Amara starts on an "alien planet" (completely lost), enters a "maze" (confusing), but friendship provides "smooth sailing" and transforms the "dark forest" into a "garden" (fear becomes growth). These metaphors show her emotional journey from isolation to belonging.
14	"The Haunted House" uses personification to create fear and unease - the house watches, whispers warnings, and seems threatening. "A New Beginning" uses personification (anxiety's cold fingers, hallways stretching) to show the character's internal struggle but ends with positive metaphors. The Haunted House creates a scary mood; A New Beginning creates an anxious-to-hopeful mood.

FAST Format Quiz Answers

Question	Answer
1	B. Metaphor Her stomach IS a nest - direct comparison without like/as.
2	B. It shows her voice was beautiful, powerful, and finally able to express itself freely.
3	A. Silence cannot literally be loud; this emphasizes how intense and complete the silence was.
4	B. It emphasizes the power, intensity, and overwhelming nature of the audience's reaction.
5	C. Both metaphor ("carpeted") and simile ("like golden snow")
6	B. Making the workshop feel alive with Grandpa's presence and legacy, even after his death.
7	B. To emphasize the countless creations Grandpa had made over his lifetime.
8	B. Grandpa had an unlimited, boundless capacity for patience when teaching.
9	See rubric and sample response below.
10	See rubric and sample response below.

Question 9 Scoring Rubric

Score	Criteria
2	Identifies at least TWO examples of figurative language, correctly classifies them, AND explains how each contributes to showing Elena's emotional journey from nervousness to triumph
1	Identifies two examples but with weak analysis, OR thoroughly discusses only one example with strong analysis
0	Does not identify figurative language correctly, provides no analysis, or response does not address the emotional journey

Sample 2-Point Response for Question 9:
The author uses figurative language to show Elena's emotional journey. At the beginning, "her stomach was a nest of butterflies" (metaphor) shows her extreme nervousness - butterflies suggest the fluttery, anxious feeling before performing. Then, her voice "soared through the auditorium like a bird finally freed from its cage" (simile) shows her transformation - she went from feeling trapped by fear to finally expressing herself freely and beautifully. The comparison to a freed bird shows both the power and the relief she felt. Finally, "the mountain of self-doubt had crumbled to dust" (metaphor) shows her triumph - the huge obstacle of her fears has been completely destroyed by her success.

Question 10 Scoring Rubric

Score	Criteria
2	Correctly identifies how personification is used in BOTH passages, explains the different PURPOSE in each, AND connects this to the different moods created
1	Discusses personification in both passages but with limited explanation of purpose or mood, OR discusses only one passage thoroughly
0	Does not identify personification in both passages, does not compare, or response is off-topic

Sample 2-Point Response for Question 10:
Both passages use personification but to create different moods. In "The Audition," personification is used for positive effects - her song "became her best friend," the notes "wrapped around every person," and the applause "washed over her in waves." This creates an uplifting, triumphant mood where non-human things (music, applause) connect Elena to others. In "Grandpa's Workshop," personification creates a nostalgic, bittersweet mood - the workshop "breathed history" and tools "seemed to remember the warmth of his hands." These personifications make the workshop feel alive with Grandpa's presence even though he's gone. The first passage uses personification to celebrate achievement; the second uses it to preserve memory and process grief.

Quick Reference: Figurative Language Types