Distinguish Literal, Figurative Meaning: Fiction/Drama - AP English Literature and Composition
Card 1 of 30
Identify the figurative device in: “He ran like the wind.”
Identify the figurative device in: “He ran like the wind.”
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Simile. "Like" signals explicit comparison between running and wind.
Simile. "Like" signals explicit comparison between running and wind.
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What is the literal meaning of language in a literary text?
What is the literal meaning of language in a literary text?
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The straightforward, denotative meaning of the words. Refers to dictionary definitions without symbolic interpretation.
The straightforward, denotative meaning of the words. Refers to dictionary definitions without symbolic interpretation.
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What is the figurative meaning of language in a literary text?
What is the figurative meaning of language in a literary text?
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A nonliteral meaning that implies or symbolizes something else. Creates deeper meaning beyond surface-level words.
A nonliteral meaning that implies or symbolizes something else. Creates deeper meaning beyond surface-level words.
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Identify the most likely meaning type: "The crown decided to raise taxes."
Identify the most likely meaning type: "The crown decided to raise taxes."
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Figurative. 'Crown' substitutes for monarchy or government.
Figurative. 'Crown' substitutes for monarchy or government.
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Identify the figurative device: "Her smile was sunshine."
Identify the figurative device: "Her smile was sunshine."
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Metaphor. Direct comparison without using 'like' or 'as'.
Metaphor. Direct comparison without using 'like' or 'as'.
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What is verbal irony?
What is verbal irony?
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Saying one thing while meaning its opposite. Creates contrast between literal words and intended meaning.
Saying one thing while meaning its opposite. Creates contrast between literal words and intended meaning.
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Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: “The surgeon cut with a scalpel.”
Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: “The surgeon cut with a scalpel.”
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Literal. Describes actual physical cutting action with a medical tool.
Literal. Describes actual physical cutting action with a medical tool.
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Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: “The wind whispered through the trees.”
Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: “The wind whispered through the trees.”
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Figurative. Wind can't whisper; personification makes nature seem human.
Figurative. Wind can't whisper; personification makes nature seem human.
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Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: “The witness’s account was crystal clear.”
Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: “The witness’s account was crystal clear.”
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Figurative. "Crystal clear" metaphorically means very understandable.
Figurative. "Crystal clear" metaphorically means very understandable.
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Which reading is figurative in context: “He has a heart of stone” (about his cruelty)?
Which reading is figurative in context: “He has a heart of stone” (about his cruelty)?
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Figurative. Heart isn't stone; metaphor for emotional coldness.
Figurative. Heart isn't stone; metaphor for emotional coldness.
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What is understatement (litotes as a broader category)?
What is understatement (litotes as a broader category)?
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Intentional downplaying of something’s significance. Minimizes for ironic effect or modesty.
Intentional downplaying of something’s significance. Minimizes for ironic effect or modesty.
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What is hyperbole?
What is hyperbole?
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Deliberate exaggeration for emphasis or effect. Overstates to create dramatic or humorous impact.
Deliberate exaggeration for emphasis or effect. Overstates to create dramatic or humorous impact.
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What is a metaphor?
What is a metaphor?
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A direct comparison stating one thing is another. Creates equivalence without using comparison words.
A direct comparison stating one thing is another. Creates equivalence without using comparison words.
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What is a simile?
What is a simile?
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A comparison using “like” or “as.”. Explicit comparison signals help identify the figurative language.
A comparison using “like” or “as.”. Explicit comparison signals help identify the figurative language.
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What is personification?
What is personification?
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Attributing human qualities to nonhuman things. Makes inanimate objects or concepts seem alive and relatable.
Attributing human qualities to nonhuman things. Makes inanimate objects or concepts seem alive and relatable.
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What is the key difference between denotation and connotation?
What is the key difference between denotation and connotation?
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Denotation is literal definition; connotation is implied association. Denotation = dictionary meaning; connotation = emotional/cultural associations.
Denotation is literal definition; connotation is implied association. Denotation = dictionary meaning; connotation = emotional/cultural associations.
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Which reading is literal in context: “The statue is made of stone” (material description)?
Which reading is literal in context: “The statue is made of stone” (material description)?
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Literal. Describes actual material composition, not symbolic meaning.
Literal. Describes actual material composition, not symbolic meaning.
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Identify the figurative device in: “Time is a thief.”
Identify the figurative device in: “Time is a thief.”
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Metaphor. Direct equation (is) creates metaphorical comparison.
Metaphor. Direct equation (is) creates metaphorical comparison.
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Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: “Her words cut deeper than a knife.”
Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: “Her words cut deeper than a knife.”
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Figurative. Words can't physically cut; expresses emotional pain metaphorically.
Figurative. Words can't physically cut; expresses emotional pain metaphorically.
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Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: “The basement flooded, and I am drowning.”
Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: “The basement flooded, and I am drowning.”
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Literal. Actual physical drowning in water is happening.
Literal. Actual physical drowning in water is happening.
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Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: “I am drowning in homework.”
Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: “I am drowning in homework.”
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Figurative. "Drowning" metaphorically means overwhelmed, not literally underwater.
Figurative. "Drowning" metaphorically means overwhelmed, not literally underwater.
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What is the definition of figurative meaning in a text?
What is the definition of figurative meaning in a text?
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A nonliteral meaning created by comparison, symbolism, or exaggeration. Goes beyond literal to convey deeper meaning through literary devices.
A nonliteral meaning created by comparison, symbolism, or exaggeration. Goes beyond literal to convey deeper meaning through literary devices.
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What is the definition of literal meaning in a text?
What is the definition of literal meaning in a text?
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The explicit, surface meaning of the words as stated. Refers to the actual, dictionary definition without interpretation.
The explicit, surface meaning of the words as stated. Refers to the actual, dictionary definition without interpretation.
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Identify the figurative device: "All hands on deck."
Identify the figurative device: "All hands on deck."
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Synecdoche. 'Hands' (part) represents sailors (whole).
Synecdoche. 'Hands' (part) represents sailors (whole).
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What is an idiom, as it relates to figurative meaning?
What is an idiom, as it relates to figurative meaning?
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A fixed phrase whose meaning cannot be derived literally. Common expressions with meanings unrelated to individual words.
A fixed phrase whose meaning cannot be derived literally. Common expressions with meanings unrelated to individual words.
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Identify the figurative device: "The wind whispered through the trees."
Identify the figurative device: "The wind whispered through the trees."
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Personification. Gives human qualities to non-human things.
Personification. Gives human qualities to non-human things.
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Identify the figurative device: "The pen is mightier than the sword."
Identify the figurative device: "The pen is mightier than the sword."
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Metonymy. 'Pen' represents writing; 'sword' represents warfare.
Metonymy. 'Pen' represents writing; 'sword' represents warfare.
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Identify the figurative device: "I have told you a million times."
Identify the figurative device: "I have told you a million times."
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Hyperbole. Exaggerates for emphasis, not meant to be taken literally.
Hyperbole. Exaggerates for emphasis, not meant to be taken literally.
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Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: "He kicked the bucket" (meaning died).
Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: "He kicked the bucket" (meaning died).
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Figurative. Idiomatic expression where 'kicked the bucket' means died.
Figurative. Idiomatic expression where 'kicked the bucket' means died.
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Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: "He kicked the bucket" (describing an actual kick).
Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: "He kicked the bucket" (describing an actual kick).
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Literal. Describes the physical action of kicking an actual bucket.
Literal. Describes the physical action of kicking an actual bucket.
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