AP English Literature and Composition Flashcards: Distinguish Literal Figurative Meaning Short Fiction

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Distinguish Literal Figurative Meaning Short Fiction, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP English Literature and Composition.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: "I have a ton of homework."

Answer: Figurative. "Ton" exaggerates amount, not literal weight.

Flashcard 2: What is the definition of a figurative meaning in a literary context?

Answer: A nonliteral meaning that suggests an implied idea or effect. Goes beyond literal to convey deeper meaning or imagery.

Flashcard 3: What is an idiom in the context of literal versus figurative meaning?

Answer: A fixed phrase whose meaning is not literal from its words. Common expressions with non-literal meanings.

Flashcard 4: Identify the figurative device in: "I have told you a million times."

Answer: Hyperbole. Exaggerates the actual number for emphasis.

Flashcard 5: Identify the figurative device in: "The city never sleeps."

Answer: Personification. Cities can't literally sleep; gives human trait.

Flashcard 6: Identify the figurative device: "She ran like the wind."

Answer: Simile. Uses "like" to compare speed to wind.

Flashcard 7: Identify the figurative device in: "as cold as ice."

Answer: Simile. Uses "as" to compare temperature.

Flashcard 8: Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: "His words cut deeper than a knife."

Answer: Figurative. Words can't physically cut; metaphor for emotional pain.

Flashcard 9: What is symbolism?

Answer: Using a concrete detail to represent an abstract idea. Objects or actions carry deeper significance.

Flashcard 10: Which interpretation is literal for "the river rose overnight": emotion or water level?

Answer: Water level. Describes actual physical change in river height.

Flashcard 11: Which meaning should you choose first when a statement makes clear sense as stated?

Answer: Literal meaning. Straightforward statements require no interpretation.

Flashcard 12: Identify the figurative device: "The classroom was a zoo."

Answer: Metaphor. Directly equates classroom to zoo without "like."

Flashcard 13: Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: "He kicked the bucket."

Answer: Figurative. Common idiom meaning "to die."

Flashcard 14: Identify the key difference between denotation and connotation.

Answer: Denotation is dictionary meaning; connotation is implied association. Denotation is objective; connotation is subjective.

Flashcard 15: Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: "After the news, he was on cloud nine."

Answer: Figurative. Idiom meaning extremely happy, not literally in sky.

Flashcard 16: Identify the figurative device in: "Time is a thief."

Answer: Metaphor. Directly equates time with a thief.

Flashcard 17: Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: "Her words cut deeper than knives."

Answer: Figurative. Words can't physically cut; expresses emotional pain.

Flashcard 18: Identify the figurative device: "I waited forever for the bell to ring."

Answer: Hyperbole. "Forever" exaggerates actual waiting time.

Flashcard 19: What is the definition of a literal meaning in a literary text?

Answer: The direct, denotative meaning of the words as stated. Focuses on exact word meanings without interpretation.

Flashcard 20: What is the key difference between metaphor and simile?

Answer: Metaphor equates; simile compares using "like" or "as.". Direct identification vs. explicit comparison.

Flashcard 21: Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: "She opened the window and let in air."

Answer: Literal. Describes actual physical action without symbolism.

Flashcard 22: What is an idiom, and why is it usually not literal?

Answer: A fixed phrase with a conventional meaning not built from the words. Cultural expressions defy word-by-word translation.

Flashcard 23: Which meaning should you suspect when a statement seems impossible or illogical literally?

Answer: Figurative meaning. Absurd literal readings signal symbolic intent.

Flashcard 24: Which interpretation is figurative for "a storm gathered in him": weather or anger?

Answer: Anger. Storm metaphorically represents emotional turmoil.

Flashcard 25: What is the definition of a literal meaning in a literary context?

Answer: The explicit, surface meaning of the words as stated. Refers to the dictionary definition without interpretation.

Flashcard 26: Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: "The leaves danced in the wind."

Answer: Figurative. Leaves can't literally dance; personifies movement.

Flashcard 27: What is the definition of a figurative meaning in a literary text?

Answer: A nonliteral meaning created by comparison, symbolism, or connotation. Goes beyond literal to suggest deeper meanings.

Flashcard 28: Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: "The wind howled all night."

Answer: Figurative. Wind doesn't literally howl; personifies the sound.

Flashcard 29: What is understatement?

Answer: Deliberately presenting something as less important or intense. Minimizes for ironic or modest effect.

Flashcard 30: Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: "The glass fell and shattered."

Answer: Literal. Describes actual physical events that occurred.

Flashcard 31: Which meaning is intended in most narratives when a phrase is an established idiom?

Answer: The figurative (idiomatic) meaning. Idioms carry established meanings beyond literal words.