In the previous Upper Primary English quiz we learnt about similes, euphemisms and paradoxes. We now look at other examples of figures of speech - hyperboles, metaphors and proverbs.
Hyperboles are statements that are grossly exaggerated to create an immediate effect and grab the attention of the listener or reader. Some examples of hyperboles are:
‘I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!’
‘His brain is the size of a pea!’
‘She is as big as an elephant!’ and
‘I will die if she asks me to dance.’
In each of these you will notice the gross exaggeration.
[readmore]Metaphors are another figure of speech in which you describe something with a totally different set of words than required. Often, a metaphor helps the writer to use less words to express something. Here are some examples of metaphors:
‘The detective dug up enough evidence to present to the court.’ This sentence means the same as:
'The detective used his skills to collect as much evidence as possible to make his case stronger.' ‘Dug up’ is used in the context of a dog who buries a bone to dig it up later. Also, a metaphor makes the reader or listener look for the similarities and thereby create more interest in what is being said or written.
Proverbs are yet another example of a figure of speech. A proverb is a statement that may be a truism or contain a message that forces the reader or listener to consider it carefully. For instance:
‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ This is a proverb that is useful to people who want to take revenge. It forces them to think of the action they want to take. Hopefully, the proverb will help them to forgive. Proverbs are powerful tools to drive home moral lessons and direct a person towards effective action.
Hyperboles, metaphors and proverbs grace the English language and are examples of innovative ways of using words to drive home a particular point of view. Take the quiz that follows and learn more about them.
1.
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Identify the hyperbole in the following sentence:
'She keeps ordering everyone around like she is some queen and we are her servants.' |
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[ ] |
She is some queen |
[ ] |
She keeps ordering |
[ ] |
Everyone around |
[ ] |
Ordering everyone |
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2.
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Identify the hyperbole in the following sentence:
'He walked down the road to nowhere.' |
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[ ] |
Down the road |
[ ] |
He walked |
[ ] |
Walked down |
[ ] |
Road to nowhere |
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3.
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Identify the hyperbole in the following sentence:
'This is the easiest task in the world.' |
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[ ] |
Is the |
[ ] |
This is |
[ ] |
Easiest task |
[ ] |
Task in |
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4.
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'The manager's words were crystal clear,' is a metaphor which means what? |
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[ ] |
The manager was not articulate enough. |
[ ] |
The manager wanted someone to buy clear crystal for him.
. |
[ ] |
The manager was absolutely clear in what he was saying. |
[ ] |
The manager did not know what he was saying. |
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5.
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'The giant's steps were thunder as he trudged towards him,' is what? |
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It is an idiom. |
[ ] |
It is a proverb. |
[ ] |
It is a simile. |
[ ] |
It is a metaphor. |
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6.
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Which is NOT a metaphor? |
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Arpana was as nervous as a mouse in a room full of cats. |
[ ] |
No one invites him to parties because he is a wet blanket. |
[ ] |
The bar of soap was a slippery eel during the baby's bath. |
[ ] |
The fluffy pillow was a cloud when I put my head on it after a long and tiring day. |
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7.
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'Between the devil and the deep sea,' is a proverb. Choose its meaning from the following options. |
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[ ] |
To drown in the deep sea is better than the devil. |
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To be with the devil is better than being drowned by the deep sea. |
[ ] |
To choose between two similar unpleasant alternatives when you are confronted with a difficult situation. |
[ ] |
Both alternatives are good and you can choose either one of them. |
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8.
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Choose the statement that is NOT a proverb from the following options. |
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First come, first served. |
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The sun is 93 million miles away from the earth. |
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Great talkers are little doers. |
[ ] |
Call a spade a spade. |
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9.
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Choose the statement that is NOT a proverb from the following options. |
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[ ] |
He laughs best who laughs last. |
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One man's meat is another man's poison. |
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Never judge the book by its cover. |
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For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. |
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10.
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Choose the statement that is NOT a proverb from the following options. |
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[ ] |
Diamonds are basically carbon. |
[ ] |
Don't put all your eggs in one basket. |
[ ] |
A new broom sweeps clean. |
[ ] |
Two's company, three's a crowd. |
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1.
|
Identify the hyperbole in the following sentence:
'She keeps ordering everyone around like she is some queen and we are her servants.' |
|
[x] |
She is some queen |
[ ] |
She keeps ordering |
[ ] |
Everyone around |
[ ] |
Ordering everyone |
|
|
2.
|
Identify the hyperbole in the following sentence:
'He walked down the road to nowhere.' |
|
[ ] |
Down the road |
[ ] |
He walked |
[ ] |
Walked down |
[x] |
Road to nowhere |
|
|
3.
|
Identify the hyperbole in the following sentence:
'This is the easiest task in the world.' |
|
[ ] |
Is the |
[ ] |
This is |
[x] |
Easiest task |
[ ] |
Task in |
|
|
4.
|
'The manager's words were crystal clear,' is a metaphor which means what? |
|
[ ] |
The manager was not articulate enough. |
[ ] |
The manager wanted someone to buy clear crystal for him.
. |
[x] |
The manager was absolutely clear in what he was saying. |
[ ] |
The manager did not know what he was saying. |
|
|
5.
|
'The giant's steps were thunder as he trudged towards him,' is what? |
|
[ ] |
It is an idiom. |
[ ] |
It is a proverb. |
[ ] |
It is a simile. |
[x] |
It is a metaphor. |
|
|
6.
|
Which is NOT a metaphor? |
|
[x] |
Arpana was as nervous as a mouse in a room full of cats. |
[ ] |
No one invites him to parties because he is a wet blanket. |
[ ] |
The bar of soap was a slippery eel during the baby's bath. |
[ ] |
The fluffy pillow was a cloud when I put my head on it after a long and tiring day. |
|
|
7.
|
'Between the devil and the deep sea,' is a proverb. Choose its meaning from the following options. |
|
[ ] |
To drown in the deep sea is better than the devil. |
[ ] |
To be with the devil is better than being drowned by the deep sea. |
[x] |
To choose between two similar unpleasant alternatives when you are confronted with a difficult situation. |
[ ] |
Both alternatives are good and you can choose either one of them. |
|
|
8.
|
Choose the statement that is NOT a proverb from the following options. |
|
[ ] |
First come, first served. |
[x] |
The sun is 93 million miles away from the earth. |
[ ] |
Great talkers are little doers. |
[ ] |
Call a spade a spade. |
|
|
9.
|
Choose the statement that is NOT a proverb from the following options. |
|
[ ] |
He laughs best who laughs last. |
[ ] |
One man's meat is another man's poison. |
[ ] |
Never judge the book by its cover. |
[x] |
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. |
|
|
10.
|
Choose the statement that is NOT a proverb from the following options. |
|
[x] |
Diamonds are basically carbon. |
[ ] |
Don't put all your eggs in one basket. |
[ ] |
A new broom sweeps clean. |
[ ] |
Two's company, three's a crowd. |
|
|