Let's go through each sentence and determine whether the
bolded phrases are
literal language or
figurative language.
---
🔹 Definitions:
-
Literal language: Words mean exactly what they say — taken at face value.
-
Figurative language: Words are used in a non-literal way to create imagery or express ideas more vividly (e.g., idioms, metaphors, similes).
---
Now, let’s analyze each sentence:
---
1. John is always up before sunrise. He is an early bird.
✔ early bird → *Figurative language*
👉 "Early bird" is an idiom meaning someone who wakes up very early. It doesn't mean a real bird.
---
2. Maria wouldn’t speak to her friend Athena. She gave her the cold shoulder.
✔ cold shoulder → *Figurative language*
👉 This idiom means to ignore someone or treat them unfriendly. Not literally giving a cold shoulder!
---
3. I used a ruler to measure the sugar my mom needed for her recipe.
✔ measure the sugar → *Literal language*
👉 This is a direct, factual action: using a tool to measure an ingredient. No metaphor here.
---
4. Anne was taking steps to finish her big homework project.
✔ taking steps → *Figurative language*
👉 "Taking steps" means making progress or doing actions toward a goal. It's not about physical steps.
---
5. Mom said she had to dust the furniture in her bedroom.
✔ dust the furniture → *Literal language*
👉 This means physically cleaning dust off furniture. Nothing figurative here.
---
6. Sally worked for twelve hours straight. He was dog tired.
✔ dog tired → *Figurative language*
👉 "Dog tired" is an idiom meaning extremely tired — not that he actually became a dog or anything literal.
---
7. Megan told Beth that to break a leg.
✔ break a leg → *Figurative language*
👉 This is a common idiom used to wish someone good luck (especially before a performance). It does NOT mean to actually break a bone.
---
✔ Final Answers (typed beside each sentence):
1. John is always up before sunrise. He is an
early bird.
→
Figurative language
2. Maria wouldn’t speak to her friend Athena. She gave her the
cold shoulder.
→
Figurative language
3. I used a ruler to
measure the sugar my mom needed for her recipe.
→
Literal language
4. Anne was
taking steps to finish her big homework project.
→
Figurative language
5. Mom said she had to
dust the furniture in her bedroom.
→
Literal language
6. Sally worked for twelve hours straight. He was
dog tired.
→
Figurative language
7. Megan told Beth that to
break a leg.
→
Figurative language
---
✔ Summary:
-
Literal language: Sentences 3 & 5
-
Figurative language: Sentences 1, 2, 4, 6, 7
Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a printable answer sheet!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of literal and figurative language worksheet.
