Literal vs Figurative Language

Question 1

Read the sentence: “She has a green thumb.” Is this statement literal or figurative, and what does it really mean?

Accepted Answer

Figurative – she is very good at taking care of plants.

Answer

Literal – her thumb is actually green in color.

Answer

Literal – she owns a small, green‑colored thumb‑shaped ornament.

Answer

Figurative – she loves the color green.

Question 2

Read the passage: "During the school talent show, Sam said the audience was eating his words, but he meant they were listening carefully. Later, Maya felt like a bull in a china shop when she tried to dance on the stage. After the show, the director told everyone to break the ice with the new students, meaning they should start talking and become friends. The rain was a piece of cake for the kids, so they went outside to play." Which three phrases are used non‑literally, and what do they really mean?

Accepted Answer

"eating his words" – listening carefully; "bull in a china shop" – acting clumsily; "break the ice" – start a friendly conversation.

Answer

"eating his words" – actually eating spoken words; "bull in a china shop" – a real bull in a shop; "break the ice" – literally breaking ice.

Answer

"eating his words" – listening carefully; "bull in a china shop" – acting clumsily; "piece of cake" – something that tastes like cake.

Answer

"bull in a china shop" – acting clumsily; "break the ice" – start a friendly conversation; "rain was a piece of cake" – rain being a cake.

Question 3

Read the two sentences. 1) Maya was on fire during the science fair, answering every question correctly. 2) The old blanket was on fire after the camp stove tipped over. Which sentence uses the phrase “on fire” figuratively, and what does it mean?

Accepted Answer

The first sentence is figurative, meaning Maya performed spectacularly; the second is literal, meaning the blanket was actually burning.

Answer

Both sentences are literal; they both describe something that is actually burning.

Answer

Both sentences are figurative; they both mean the subjects were doing something excellent.

Answer

The second sentence is figurative, meaning the blanket was exciting; the first is literal, meaning Maya was literally on fire.

Try three questions

Read the sentence: “She has a green thumb.” Is this statement literal or figurative, and what does it really mean?

Read the two sentences. 1) Maya was on fire during the science fair, answering every question correctly. 2) The old blanket was on fire after the camp stove tipped over. Which sentence uses the phrase “on fire” figuratively, and what does it mean?

Keep going on this shelf