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The sentence below has a nonliteral meaning. Select the answer that is this sentence's literal meaning.
It was like pulling teeth to get Brittany to do her homework.
The phrase “like pulling teeth” means something is very difficult. Thus, “It was very difficult to get Brittany to do her homework.” is the correct answer.
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The sentence below has a nonliteral meaning. Select the answer that is this sentence's literal meaning.
As I was talking to the class, my words were going in one ear and out the other.
The phrase “in one ear and out the other” means to not be paying attention or to not be listening. The correct answer is, “As I was talking to the class, the students weren’t listening."
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The sentence below has a nonliteral meaning. Select the answer that is this sentence's literal meaning.
Blin had to pull strings to get his son the job.
The phrase “pull strings” means to ask a favor. The correct answer is “Blin had to ask a favor to get his son the job.”
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The sentence below has a nonliteral meaning. Select the answer that is this sentence's literal meaning.
Kaitlyn is going to have to hit the books if she wants to ace her test.
The phrase “hit the books” means to study hard. The correct answer is, “Kaitlyn is going to have to study hard if she wants to ace the test.”
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The sentence below has a nonliteral meaning. Select the answer that is this sentence's literal meaning.
I’m tired, so I’m going to hit the hay.
The phrase “hit the hay” means to go to bed. “I’m going to go to bed.” is the correct answer.
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The sentence below has a nonliteral meaning. Select the answer that is this sentence's literal meaning.
My mom warned me not to spill the beans to my sister and ruin her surprise party.
The phrase “spill the beans” means to share or reveal a secret. The correct answer is “My mom warned me not to talk about the surprise party to my sister.”
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The sentence below has a nonliteral meaning. Select the answer that is this sentence's literal meaning.
My dad is an excellent gardener. He has a green thumb.
The phrase “green thumb” means to grow plants well. The correct answer is, “My dad is an excellent gardener. He is able to grow plants well.”
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The sentence below has a nonliteral meaning. Select the answer that is this sentence's literal meaning.
Maggie came over to my house to chill out.
The phrase “chill out” means to relax. “Maggie came over to my house to relax.”
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Select the answer choice that best describes a very small bug.
Some words are alike but have slight differences in meaning. This is referred to as shades of meaning.
Tiny, small, and little all mean to be small in size. Since we are looking for “very small” or the smallest option, “The bug was tiny” is the correct answer.
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The sentence below has a nonliteral meaning. Select the answer that is this sentence's literal meaning.
Mike is bending over backward to help his mom on Mother’s Day.
The phrase “bending over backward” means to try really hard to help. The correct answer is, “Mike is trying very hard to help his mom on Mother’s Day.”
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Replace the underlined word with the correct word(s) to show that Ashley was certain about the answer to the math question.
While taking a math test, Ashley wondered about the answer to the first question.
To be certain of an answer means that you know the answer. To believe to know or suspect doesn't mean to be certain. Also, to hear something does not mean to know something.
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Select the answer choice that best shows Kellie being very upset with Melissa.
Some words are alike but have slight differences in meaning. This is referred to as shades of meaning.
Furious, angry, and agitated all mean to be upset, but in different ways. These words all have different intensities.
To be agitated by someone is to be a little bit annoyed with them, not very upset.
To be angry with someone is to be upset with them.
To be furious with someone is to be very upset or very angry.
The word that would be best to describe being very upset is “furious”. “Kellie was furious with Melissa.” is the correct answer.
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Select the answer choice that best shows that Charlie was upset with Josh.
Some words are alike but have slight differences in meaning. This is referred to as shades of meaning.
Furious, angry, and agitated all mean to be upset, but in different ways. These words all have different intensities.
To be agitated by someone is to be a little bit annoyed with them, not very upset.
To be angry with someone is to be upset with them.
To be furious with someone is to be very upset or very angry.
The word that would be best to describe being upset is “angry”. “Charlie was angry that Josh beat him in the race.” is the correct answer.
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Select the answer choice that best shows that Jesse was annoyed with the fly.
Some words are alike but have slight differences in meaning. This is referred to as shades of meaning.
Furious, angry, and agitated all mean to be upset, but in different ways. These words all have different intensities.
To be agitated by someone is to be a little bit annoyed with them, not very upset.
To be angry with someone is to be upset with them.
To be furious with someone is to be very upset or very angry.
Given our choices, agitated is the best word to use to show annoyance. The correct answer is “Jesse was agitated by the fly that kept landing on his food.”
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Select the answer choice that shows Ben was mad at Anna.
Some words are alike but have slight differences in meaning. This is referred to as shades of meaning.
Glared, peeked, and stared all mean to look at something, but in different ways.
When you glare as something you look in an angry way.
When you peek at something you look quickly.
When you stare at something you look for a long time.
Because this question asks us to pick the answer that shows Ben was mad, “Ben glared at Anna” is the correct answer.
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Select the answer choice that shows that Matthew didn’t completely look at the homework assignment.
Some words are alike but have slight differences in meaning. This is referred to as shades of meaning.
Glared, peeked, and stared all mean to look at something, but in different ways.
When you glare as something you look in an angry way.
When you peek at something you look quickly.
When you stare at something you look for a long time.
Because this question asks us to pick the answer that shows Matthew didn’t completely look at the assignment, we can assume he looked quickly or peeked at it.
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Select the answer choice that shows that Sarah looked at the stars for a long time.
Some words are alike but have slight differences in meaning. This is referred to as shades of meaning.
Glared, peeked, and stared all mean to look at something, but in different ways.
When you glare as something you look in an angry way.
When you peek at something you look quickly.
When you stare at something you look for a long time.
Because this question asks us to pick the answer that shows Sarah looked at the stars for a long time, “Sarah stared up at the stars.” is the correct answer.
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Select the answer choice that best describes how someone might feel after winning the grand prize at a fair.
Some words are alike but have slight differences in meaning. This is referred to as shades of meaning.
Thrilled, happy, and content are all words that describe having a good or positive feeling. But, these words all have different intensities. If we were going to rate these feelings “content” would be good, “happy” would be very good, and “thrilled” would be the best feeling.
If you win a grand prize, that would likely be the best feeling. So “Thrilled” is the correct answer.
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Select the best word to describe how you might feel if you lost your favorite toy.
Some words are alike but have slight differences in meaning. This is referred to as shades of meaning.
Devastated, sad, and unhappy all mean to be upset about something. But, these words all have different intensities.
Unhappy means to be not glad or cheerful
Sad means to be upset, having no joy
Devastated means to be severely affected by something in a negative way.
If you lost something that was your favorite thing, it would likely severely affect you. “Devastated” is the best answer choice.
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Brian really did not want to go to the haunted house. He was trying to think of a way to get out of it. He was so nervous, he started shaking every time he thought about it.
Given the information above, select the best answer choice to show how Brian feels about haunted houses.
Some words are alike but have slight differences in meaning. This is referred to as shades of meaning.
Terrified, scared, and startled all mean to have a negative feeling about something. But, these words all have different intensities.
Startled means to be surprised suddenly.
Scared means to be afraid.
Terrified means to be filled with great fear.
Because we are told that Brian was shaking with nervousness, which shows he was filled with great fear. “Terrified” is the correct answer.
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