1.
Jenny had cooked the candy too long. When she was ready to cut it into squares, it was a rock.
Explanation
The given statement is an example of a metaphor. It uses the phrase "it was a rock" to describe the candy that Jenny had cooked for too long. This implies that the candy became extremely hard and solid, just like a rock. The metaphor helps to convey the idea that the candy was no longer edible and had become inedible due to being overcooked.
2.
Sue Ann worked hard on her report. After she gave it before the class, she felt light as a feather.
Explanation
The given statement is an example of a simile. A simile is a figure of speech that compares two things using the words "like" or "as." In this case, the phrase "light as a feather" is used to compare Sue Ann's feeling after giving her report to the lightness of a feather. This comparison helps to convey the idea that Sue Ann felt relieved or unburdened after completing her task.
3.
The old car awoke reluctantly from its night's sleep. Coughing and spluttering, it finally broke into a loud roar.
Explanation
The given answer "personification" is correct because personification is a literary device where human qualities or characteristics are attributed to non-human things. In this case, the old car is described as "awoke reluctantly" and "coughing and spluttering", which are human actions and characteristics. The car breaking into a loud roar further emphasizes the personification, as roaring is typically associated with animals or humans, not inanimate objects like cars.
4.
The trees of the forest sympathetically watched over the lost child. (use literary device)
5.
After Marshall climbed three flights of stairs, he had to sit down. He was a puffing steam engine.
Explanation
The phrase "he was a puffing steam engine" is a metaphor because it compares Marshall's heavy breathing and exhaustion to the sounds and imagery associated with a puffing steam engine. This comparison helps to emphasize the intensity of Marshall's physical exertion and conveys the idea that he was breathing heavily and struggling to catch his breath.
6.
Barbara's cake for the contest turned out practically perfect - it responded to touch like a sponge.
Explanation
The given sentence uses the word "like" to compare Barbara's cake to a sponge, indicating a similarity between the two. This is an example of a simile, which is a figure of speech that compares two things using "like" or "as". In this case, the simile helps to emphasize that the cake was very soft and responsive to touch, just like a sponge.
7.
The storm was a savage beast. It took the house in its teeth and shook it.
Explanation
The given passage uses a metaphor to describe the storm. By comparing the storm to a savage beast and stating that it took the house in its teeth and shook it, the author is using figurative language to create a vivid and powerful image in the reader's mind. The use of the word "metaphor" in the question indicates that the passage is an example of this literary device.
8.
Wiley was very good at chess. "You have to watch him" his father said. "He's a real fox."
Explanation
The given statement "He's a real fox" is not meant to be taken literally. It is a figure of speech where the father is comparing Wiley's skills in chess to that of a fox, implying that he is clever, cunning, and strategic in his gameplay. This comparison highlights Wiley's exceptional abilities in chess and suggests that he is someone to be cautious of and pay attention to during a game. Therefore, the correct answer for this question is a metaphor.
9.
The day after the rain, the air was clean and fresh. A soft little breeze carried the scent of lilacs.
Explanation
The figure of speech used in the sentence "The day after the rain, the air was clean and fresh. A soft little breeze carried the scent of lilacs." is imagery.
Imagery is a literary device that uses descriptive language to create vivid sensory experiences for the reader. In this sentence, phrases like "clean and fresh," "soft little breeze," and "scent of lilacs" appeal to the senses of sight, touch, and smell, painting a clear and evocative picture of the scene.
10.
The boy's room was an amusement arcade.
Explanation
This statement is a metaphor because it is comparing the boy's room to an amusement arcade. It suggests that the boy's room is filled with excitement, entertainment, and possibly chaos, just like an amusement arcade.
11.
Louis is as strong and tall as a redwood.
Explanation
The given statement is an example of a simile. A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using the words "like" or "as." In this case, Louis is being compared to a redwood tree in terms of strength and height. This comparison helps to emphasize the extent of Louis' strength and height, by comparing it to something well-known for its strength and height.
12.
Computers talk to one another.
Explanation
Personification is the attribution of human characteristics to non-human entities. In this context, the statement "Computers talk to one another" is an example of personification because it ascribes the human ability of communication to computers, which are inanimate objects.
13.
The train whistle screamed as the train flew through the tunnel.
Explanation
This sentence is an example of personification because it attributes human characteristics to the train whistle by saying that it "screamed." In reality, train whistles cannot scream as they are inanimate objects, but the personification adds an element of vividness and intensity to the description.
14.
The kitchen is the heart of my mother's house.
Explanation
The statement "The kitchen is the heart of my mother's house" is a metaphor because it is comparing the kitchen to the heart. This means that the kitchen holds a central and vital role in the house, just like the heart is essential for the functioning of the body. The metaphor emphasizes the importance and significance of the kitchen in the household.
15.
The idea was a fire in my head.
Explanation
The phrase "a fire in my head" is not meant to be taken literally, but rather as a figurative expression. It suggests that the idea was intense, passionate, and consuming, just like a fire. This comparison between the idea and a fire is a metaphor, as it uses one thing to represent another in order to create a vivid and impactful image in the reader's mind.
16.
The waxed floor was as slippery as an ice rink.
Explanation
This sentence is an example of a simile because it uses the word "as" to compare the slipperiness of the waxed floor to the slipperiness of an ice rink. Similes are figures of speech that make comparisons using "like" or "as" to show similarities between two different things. In this case, the writer is emphasizing how slippery the waxed floor is by comparing it to the well-known slipperiness of an ice rink.
17.
Grandmother's dresser drawers smelled like a rose garden.
Explanation
The given sentence uses a simile to compare the smell of the grandmother's dresser drawers to a rose garden. A simile is a figure of speech that compares two things using "like" or "as." In this case, it suggests that the smell of the dresser drawers is pleasant and reminiscent of the sweet fragrance of a rose garden.
18.
The truck groaned under the strain of its load.
Explanation
This sentence is an example of personification because it gives human qualities to the truck by saying that it "groaned" under the strain of its load. By attributing the human characteristic of groaning to the truck, the sentence creates a vivid and imaginative image in the reader's mind, making the truck seem more alive and relatable.
19.
The rain formed a curtain of water on the window.
Explanation
The phrase "curtain of water" is not meant to be taken literally. It is a metaphor that compares the rain to a curtain, emphasizing the visual effect of the rain falling heavily and creating a barrier-like appearance on the window. This comparison helps to create a vivid image in the reader's mind and enhances the description of the rain.
20.
All the world's a stage.
Explanation
The phrase "All the world's a stage" is a metaphor. It means that life is like a play, where each person plays a role and goes through different stages, just like actors on a stage. This metaphor suggests that life is not real, but rather a performance, highlighting the idea that people have different roles and experiences throughout their lives.
21.
Big sisters are the crabgrass in the lawn of life.
Explanation
The statement "Big sisters are the crabgrass in the lawn of life" is a metaphor. It implies that big sisters can be annoying or intrusive, just like crabgrass is an unwanted and invasive plant in a lawn. The comparison helps to convey the idea that big sisters can sometimes be a nuisance or cause trouble in life.
22.
After a week without rain, the flowers begged to be watered.
Explanation
The given sentence is an example of personification because it attributes human characteristics to the flowers by suggesting that they are capable of begging. This figure of speech helps to create a vivid and engaging image in the reader's mind, enhancing the emotional impact of the sentence.
23.
The ball was thrown like a bullet.
Explanation
The given sentence uses the word "like" to compare the action of throwing the ball to the speed and trajectory of a bullet. This comparison is a simile, which is a figure of speech that uses "like" or "as" to compare two unlike things. In this case, the simile emphasizes the speed and force with which the ball was thrown.
24.
The moon peeked out from behind the clouds.
Explanation
This sentence is an example of personification because it gives human characteristics to the moon by saying that it "peeked out" from behind the clouds. Personification is a literary device that attributes human qualities to non-human entities, in this case, the moon.
25.
The wide rock ledge was a safe harbor for the weary mountain climbers.
Explanation
The phrase "safe harbor" is being used metaphorically to describe the wide rock ledge. It implies that the rock ledge provides a sense of safety and protection, just like a harbor would for ships. This comparison helps to convey the idea that the rock ledge is a secure and comforting place for the tired mountain climbers.
26.
Fall leaves were strewn like confetti on the path.
Explanation
The given sentence uses the word "like" to compare fall leaves to confetti, indicating that it is a simile. A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using the words "like" or "as". In this case, it suggests that the fall leaves are scattered on the path in a similar manner to how confetti is thrown and spread around.
27.
The green vines wound their arms around the rusty gate.
Explanation
This sentence uses personification by giving human-like qualities to the green vines. By saying that the vines "wound their arms" around the rusty gate, it suggests that the vines are capable of movement and have arms like humans. This personification helps to create a vivid and imaginative description of the scene.
28.
Fran's new car turned out to be a lemon.
Explanation
The phrase "Fran's new car turned out to be a lemon" is a metaphor. In this context, the word "lemon" is used to describe the car as being defective or of poor quality. This comparison between the car and a lemon is not meant to be taken literally, but rather to convey the idea that the car is a disappointment or a bad purchase. Metaphors are figures of speech that make a comparison between two unrelated things to create a vivid image or convey a certain meaning.