Figurative & Literal Language worksheet for students to identify and classify sentences as literal or figurative.

Let's solve the "Figurative & Literal Language" worksheet step by step. The task is to identify whether each sentence is literal (means exactly what it says) or figurative (creates an image or idea, not meant to be taken literally). We’ll mark each sentence with "L" for literal or "F" for figurative.

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Definitions Recap:

- Literal language: Says exactly what is true or factual.
- Figurative language: Uses imagery, metaphors, similes, or exaggeration to convey meaning beyond the literal words.

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Now let’s go through each sentence:

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1. Americans commemorate National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15.
→ This is a fact. It states a real event and dates.
✔ L

2. The holiday starts on September 15 because El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Nicaragua all celebrate their national independence on that day.
→ This explains a historical reason; factual.
✔ L

3. Mexico and Chile celebrate separation from Spain on September 16 and 18, respectively.
→ Again, factual information about national holidays.
✔ L

4. Two of my favorite Hispanic artists are Frida Kahlo and Pablo Neruda.
→ A personal opinion, but stated directly. Not metaphorical.
✔ L

5. "Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?"
→ This uses metaphor ("wings to fly") to express emotional freedom or desire to escape. Not literal.
✔ F

6. Frida Kahlo, a 20th-century Mexican painter, said that.
→ States a fact about who said the quote.
✔ L

7. Kahlo's paintings speak to my soul.
→ "Speak to my soul" is figurative — means her art deeply affects the speaker emotionally.
✔ F

8. President Lyndon B. Johnson began National Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968.
→ Historical fact.
✔ L

9. It was expanded to a full month in 1988.
→ Factual statement.
✔ L

10. There are a million ways to honor Hispanic Heritage Month.
→ This is exaggerated ("a million ways") — not meant to be taken literally. Figurative expression.
✔ F

11. I like to sing the praises of Hispanic artists, scholars, and scientists.
→ "Sing the praises" is a figurative idiom meaning to praise highly.
✔ F

12. Two famous Hispanic-American writers are Sandra Cisneros and Gary Soto.
→ Factual statement.
✔ L

13. Sandra Cisneros grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and Gary Soto was raised in Fresno, California.
→ Biographical facts.
✔ L

14. There are more than 44 million Hispanic Americans in the U.S. today.
→ Statistical fact.
✔ L

15. "Peace goes into the making of a poem as flour goes into the making of bread."
→ This is a simile/metaphor comparing peace to flour in a recipe. Not literal.
✔ F

16. The Chilean poet Pablo Neruda said that.
→ States who said the quote. Fact.
✔ L

17. No poet captures the human heart like Neruda.
→ Hyperbolic praise — means he is exceptionally good at expressing emotion, not literally capturing hearts.
✔ F

18. Immortalize your favorite Hispanic artist in a poem of your own!
→ "Immortalize" here means to make someone famous or lasting through poetry — not literally making them immortal.
✔ F

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✔ Final Answers:

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

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📌 Summary:

- Literal (L): Sentences stating facts, dates, biographical info, or direct statements.
- Figurative (F): Use of metaphors, similes, idioms, hyperbole, or poetic expressions.

This exercise helps students distinguish between plain factual language and expressive, creative language used in literature and speech.