Figurative Language Worksheets | Oxymoron Worksheets - Free Printable
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Step-by-step solution for: Figurative Language Worksheets | Oxymoron Worksheets
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Figurative Language Worksheets | Oxymoron Worksheets
Let's solve this worksheet step by step. The task is to underline the oxymoron in each sentence and then explain why it's an oxymoron — that is, why it combines two seemingly opposite or contradictory ideas.
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An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory or opposing terms are combined. Examples: *bittersweet*, *deafening silence*, *living dead*.
We'll go through each sentence one by one.
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- Oxymoron: _only choice_
- Explanation: "Only" implies there is just one option, while "choice" suggests having alternatives. If there’s only one option, it's not really a *choice* — it's a necessity. So, "only choice" is contradictory because you can't truly choose when there’s no alternative.
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- Oxymoron: _awfully learned_
- Explanation: "Awful" usually means bad or terrible, but here it's used as an intensifier (like "very"). However, since "awful" originally means bad, saying someone is "awfully learned" sounds like they're poorly educated, even though it's meant positively. This contradiction makes it an oxymoron.
> Note: In modern usage, “awfully” is often used informally to mean “very,” but technically, it's still an oxymoron due to its original meaning.
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- Oxymoron: _larger half_
- Explanation: A "half" is exactly 50%, so it cannot be "larger" than the other half. Saying "larger half" is illogical — both halves are equal. Thus, it’s a contradiction.
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- Oxymoron: _genuine imitation_
- Explanation: "Genuine" means real, while "imitation" means fake. Something cannot be both real and fake at the same time. So, "genuine imitation" is a contradiction.
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- Oxymoron: _open secret_
- Explanation: A "secret" is something kept hidden, but "open" means it’s known or visible. So, if it’s openly known, it’s not really a secret anymore. That contradiction creates the oxymoron.
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- Oxymoron: _exact estimate_
- Explanation: An "estimate" is an approximation, not a precise number. But "exact" means perfectly accurate. So, an "exact estimate" contradicts itself — you can’t have a precise guess.
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- Oxymoron: _random order_
- Explanation: "Random" means without order or pattern, while "order" implies structure or sequence. Putting things in "random order" is contradictory because randomness cannot follow order.
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- Oxymoron: _small crowd_
- Explanation: A "crowd" typically implies a large group of people. A "small crowd" is a contradiction — it’s not really a crowd if it’s small. So, this phrase combines two conflicting ideas.
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- Oxymoron: _working holiday_
- Explanation: A "holiday" is a day off from work, but "working" means doing labor. So, a "working holiday" is a contradiction — how can you work on a holiday?
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- Oxymoron: _second best_
- Explanation: "Best" means top-ranked, but "second" means not the top. So, being "second best" implies someone else is better, which contradicts the idea of being the "best." It's paradoxical.
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- Oxymoron: _real-fake_
- Explanation: "Real" means authentic, while "fake" means counterfeit. Something can't be both real and fake at the same time. This phrase directly combines opposites.
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- Oxymoron: _deafening silence_
- Explanation: "Deafening" refers to loudness, while "silence" means absence of sound. So, silence cannot be "deafening," yet the phrase uses the contrast to emphasize extreme quiet — a classic oxymoron.
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## ✔ Final Answers Summary:
| Sentence | Oxymoron | Explanation |
|--------|----------|-----------|
| 1 | only choice | One choice isn’t really a choice. |
| 2 | awfully learned | "Awful" means bad, but "learned" is good. |
| 3 | larger half | A half can’t be larger than the other half. |
| 4 | genuine imitation | Can’t be both real and fake. |
| 5 | open secret | A secret shouldn’t be open. |
| 6 | exact estimate | Estimates are approximate; can’t be exact. |
| 7 | random order | Random = no order; contradiction. |
| 8 | small crowd | Crowds are big; small groups aren’t crowds. |
| 9 | working holiday | Holidays are days off; working contradicts that. |
| 10 | second best | Can’t be best if someone is better. |
| 11 | real-fake | Can’t be both real and fake. |
| 12 | deafening silence | Silence can’t be loud. |
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✔ These are all valid oxymorons, combining contradictory ideas for effect, humor, or emphasis.
Let me know if you'd like a printable version or formatted answers!
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🔍 What is an Oxymoron?
An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory or opposing terms are combined. Examples: *bittersweet*, *deafening silence*, *living dead*.
We'll go through each sentence one by one.
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✔ 1. His only choice was to become an architect.
- Oxymoron: _only choice_
- Explanation: "Only" implies there is just one option, while "choice" suggests having alternatives. If there’s only one option, it's not really a *choice* — it's a necessity. So, "only choice" is contradictory because you can't truly choose when there’s no alternative.
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✔ 2. Mrs. Robert is an awfully learned physics professor.
- Oxymoron: _awfully learned_
- Explanation: "Awful" usually means bad or terrible, but here it's used as an intensifier (like "very"). However, since "awful" originally means bad, saying someone is "awfully learned" sounds like they're poorly educated, even though it's meant positively. This contradiction makes it an oxymoron.
> Note: In modern usage, “awfully” is often used informally to mean “very,” but technically, it's still an oxymoron due to its original meaning.
---
✔ 3. Her sister took the larger half of the pineapple cake.
- Oxymoron: _larger half_
- Explanation: A "half" is exactly 50%, so it cannot be "larger" than the other half. Saying "larger half" is illogical — both halves are equal. Thus, it’s a contradiction.
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✔ 4. The sofa was made of genuine imitation leather.
- Oxymoron: _genuine imitation_
- Explanation: "Genuine" means real, while "imitation" means fake. Something cannot be both real and fake at the same time. So, "genuine imitation" is a contradiction.
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✔ 5. It is an open secret that we are leaving for Canada.
- Oxymoron: _open secret_
- Explanation: A "secret" is something kept hidden, but "open" means it’s known or visible. So, if it’s openly known, it’s not really a secret anymore. That contradiction creates the oxymoron.
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✔ 6. We were hoping the car dealer would give us an exact estimate.
- Oxymoron: _exact estimate_
- Explanation: An "estimate" is an approximation, not a precise number. But "exact" means perfectly accurate. So, an "exact estimate" contradicts itself — you can’t have a precise guess.
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✔ 7. The children put the stuff toys in random order.
- Oxymoron: _random order_
- Explanation: "Random" means without order or pattern, while "order" implies structure or sequence. Putting things in "random order" is contradictory because randomness cannot follow order.
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✔ 8. The acrobats in the circus drew a small crowd.
- Oxymoron: _small crowd_
- Explanation: A "crowd" typically implies a large group of people. A "small crowd" is a contradiction — it’s not really a crowd if it’s small. So, this phrase combines two conflicting ideas.
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✔ 9. My company will give a working holiday next week.
- Oxymoron: _working holiday_
- Explanation: A "holiday" is a day off from work, but "working" means doing labor. So, a "working holiday" is a contradiction — how can you work on a holiday?
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✔ 10. Helen is the second best athlete in her club team.
- Oxymoron: _second best_
- Explanation: "Best" means top-ranked, but "second" means not the top. So, being "second best" implies someone else is better, which contradicts the idea of being the "best." It's paradoxical.
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✔ 11. The bills that the tenant showed were real-fake.
- Oxymoron: _real-fake_
- Explanation: "Real" means authentic, while "fake" means counterfeit. Something can't be both real and fake at the same time. This phrase directly combines opposites.
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✔ 12. There was a deafening silence in the senate.
- Oxymoron: _deafening silence_
- Explanation: "Deafening" refers to loudness, while "silence" means absence of sound. So, silence cannot be "deafening," yet the phrase uses the contrast to emphasize extreme quiet — a classic oxymoron.
---
## ✔ Final Answers Summary:
| Sentence | Oxymoron | Explanation |
|--------|----------|-----------|
| 1 | only choice | One choice isn’t really a choice. |
| 2 | awfully learned | "Awful" means bad, but "learned" is good. |
| 3 | larger half | A half can’t be larger than the other half. |
| 4 | genuine imitation | Can’t be both real and fake. |
| 5 | open secret | A secret shouldn’t be open. |
| 6 | exact estimate | Estimates are approximate; can’t be exact. |
| 7 | random order | Random = no order; contradiction. |
| 8 | small crowd | Crowds are big; small groups aren’t crowds. |
| 9 | working holiday | Holidays are days off; working contradicts that. |
| 10 | second best | Can’t be best if someone is better. |
| 11 | real-fake | Can’t be both real and fake. |
| 12 | deafening silence | Silence can’t be loud. |
---
✔ These are all valid oxymorons, combining contradictory ideas for effect, humor, or emphasis.
Let me know if you'd like a printable version or formatted answers!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of oxymoron worksheet pdf.
