Literal vs Figurative Language Worksheet

Let's go through each sentence and determine whether it uses literal language (meaning exactly what it says) or figurative language (using imagery, exaggeration, or metaphor to convey meaning).

---

Definitions:

- Literal Language: Says exactly what is true or factual.
- Figurative Language: Uses comparisons, exaggerations, or metaphors that are not meant to be taken literally.

---

Now, let’s analyze each sentence:

1. My sister and I fight like cats and dogs almost all the time.
→ "Fight like cats and dogs" is a common idiom meaning they argue constantly. Not literal.
✔ F

2. The feet of my baby brother are chubby.
→ Describes physical appearance directly. This is a factual observation.
✔ L

3. Carrie is funny. She always cracks me up with her jokes.
→ "Cracks me up" is an idiom meaning makes me laugh. Not literal.
✔ F

4. Mom’s cooking always works like a charm on Dad.
→ "Works like a charm" means it is very effective—figurative expression.
✔ F

5. Watson laughed hysterically when I wore the dress that resembles a curtain that I got from my aunt.
→ "Resembles a curtain" is descriptive but factual; "laughed hysterically" is exaggerated, but the key phrase here is about resemblance. The comparison to a curtain is figurative (a simile), implying it looked odd.
✔ F

6. My mom gave me a real tongue lashing when she found out I broke her computer.
→ "Tongue lashing" is an idiom for harsh verbal criticism. Not literal.
✔ F

7. I have a ton of paperwork to finish before the week ends.
→ "A ton" is used to emphasize large amount—not literally a ton. Figurative.
✔ F

8. Shaquille O’Neal is very tall.
→ This is a straightforward statement of fact. Literal.
✔ L

9. The police were determined to get to the bottom of the mystery.
→ "Get to the bottom of" is an idiom meaning find the truth. Figurative.
✔ F

10. Fireworks displays on Independence Day is usually filled with an array of colorful fireworks.
→ Descriptive but factual. "Array" is just a word for variety—it's not figurative.
✔ L

11. The teacher told the students to stop dancing around the question and answer it.
→ "Dancing around the question" is a metaphor for avoiding a direct answer. Figurative.
✔ F

12. Jack was sent home from school because he was burning up.
→ "Burning up" likely means he had a high fever. While it could be literal, in context, it's idiomatic. However, if he has a fever, it's medically accurate—so this can be seen as literal if we interpret "burning up" as having a high temperature. But in casual speech, it's often figurative. Still, in this case, it's likely literal because it's a medical condition.
✔ L *(but note: could be debated; however, in most contexts, "burning up" = high fever)*

13. Dancing is a good form of exercise.
→ A general fact. Literal.
✔ L

14. The weight of a diamond is measured in carats.
→ A factual statement. Literal.
✔ L

15. Having to care for so many children, the mother felt as though she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.
→ "Weight of the world" is a metaphor for extreme burden. Figurative.
✔ F

---

✔ Final Answers:

1. F
2. L
3. F
4. F
5. F
6. F
7. F
8. L
9. F
10. L
11. F
12. L
13. L
14. L
15. F

---

🔍 Summary:

- Literal (L): 2, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14
- Figurative (F): 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 15

Let me know if you'd like a printable version or explanation for any specific sentence!