Figurative Language and Literary Devices Flashcards
7 cards from real Reading Comprehension practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Figurative Language and Literary Devices flashcards as text
"Time is a thief that steals our youth while we sleep." What literary device is used, and what does it mean?
Answer: Personification — time is given the human quality of stealing, suggesting aging happens gradually and without our awareness.
Giving time the human action of 'stealing' is personification; the metaphor also conveys that the passage of time takes our youth quietly and without permission.
"The stars are scattered diamonds on a velvet sky." What literary device is used, and what does it suggest?
Answer: A metaphor directly comparing stars to diamonds on velvet, suggesting a beautiful, luxurious night sky.
The sentence equates stars to scattered diamonds without 'like' or 'as,' making it a metaphor that evokes brilliance, rarity, and beauty.
"The kettle screamed as the steam surged through its spout, startling the cat off the windowsill." What literary device is used in 'the kettle screamed,' and why might the author have chosen it?
Answer: Personification — giving the kettle a human vocal response makes the sound feel sudden, sharp, and alarming.
Attributing screaming to a kettle is personification: it gives the object a human emotional reaction, vividly conveying the shrill, startling sound.
"Marcus felt as light as a feather as he walked out of the exam room, certain he had passed." What literary device is used, and what does it reveal about Marcus's emotional state?
Answer: A simile comparing his feeling to a feather using 'as…as,' conveying extreme relief and happiness.
'As light as a feather' uses 'as…as' to form a simile; the comparison conveys Marcus's emotional lightness — relief and joy — not literal physical weight.
"The red rose she left on his desk was more than a flower — it was a silent apology." What literary device is primarily at work, and what does it suggest?
Answer: Symbolism — the rose represents an apology, using a physical object to convey an emotion or message the character cannot express verbally.
The rose is used symbolically: the author explicitly states it represents 'a silent apology,' making it a symbol for unexpressed regret.
"Her laughter rang through the house like bells on a clear winter morning." What literary device is used, and what does it convey?
Answer: A simile comparing laughter to bells using 'like,' suggesting her laughter was bright, clear, and pleasant to hear.
The word 'like' signals a simile; the bell comparison conveys that her laughter had a clear, bright, musical quality that filled the space.
"The ocean whispered its secrets to anyone who stood still long enough to listen." What literary device is present, and what does it suggest about nature?
Answer: Personification — the ocean is given the human ability to whisper secrets, suggesting nature communicates wisdom to those who are patient and attentive.
Whispering is a distinctly human action; attributing it to the ocean is personification that conveys nature as a communicative, wise presence for patient observers.