Hyperbole - ESL worksheet by JONAC - Free Printable

Task: Identify and Circle the Hyperbole in Each Sentence

A hyperbole is a figure of speech that uses exaggeration to create emphasis or humor. It is not meant to be taken literally. Let's analyze each sentence and identify the hyperbole.

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#### 1. That ice cream cone was a mile high!
- Hyperbole: "a mile high"
- Explanation: An ice cream cone cannot literally be a mile high; this is an exaggerated statement for emphasis.

#### 2. Shawn was so hungry he could eat a horse.
- Hyperbole: "eat a horse"
- Explanation: Eating a horse is impossible, so this is an exaggerated way of saying Shawn was extremely hungry.

#### 3. I have to do homework all the time.
- Hyperbole: "all the time"
- Explanation: While homework might feel like it takes up a lot of time, doing it "all the time" is an exaggeration.

#### 4. Joe’s eyelids were as heavy as bricks.
- Hyperbole: "as heavy as bricks"
- Explanation: Eyelids cannot literally be as heavy as bricks; this is an exaggerated way of describing how tired Joe felt.

#### 5. I would just die if I had to sing in front of people.
- Hyperbole: "would just die"
- Explanation: The speaker is not literally going to die; this is an exaggerated expression of fear or nervousness about singing in public.

#### 6. There were too many to count.
- Hyperbole: "too many to count"
- Explanation: This is a general statement rather than a specific hyperbole. It does not involve extreme exaggeration.

#### 7. I will be 100 years old before I know how to work this thing.
- Hyperbole: "100 years old"
- Explanation: Reaching 100 years old before learning something is an exaggerated way of expressing frustration or difficulty.

#### 8. I will die if I can’t have some candy.
- Hyperbole: "will die"
- Explanation: The speaker is not literally going to die without candy; this is an exaggerated expression of desire.

#### 9. My little brother has been driving me crazy all day!
- Hyperbole: "driving me crazy"
- Explanation: Being driven "crazy" is an exaggerated way of expressing annoyance or irritation.

#### 10. Charlie would argue with a brick wall.
- Hyperbole: "argue with a brick wall"
- Explanation: A brick wall cannot argue back, so this is an exaggerated way of saying Charlie is very persistent in arguing.

#### 11. When I grow up, I’m going to make tons of money.
- Hyperbole: "tons of money"
- Explanation: "Tons of money" is an exaggerated way of saying the person will become very wealthy.

#### 12. Carly was sweating bullets waiting to see her grade on the test.
- Hyperbole: "sweating bullets"
- Explanation: Sweating bullets is an exaggerated way of describing extreme anxiety or nervousness.

#### 13. My grandpa is as old as dirt.
- Hyperbole: "as old as dirt"
- Explanation: Dirt has been around for millions of years, so this is an exaggerated way of saying the grandpa is very old.

#### 14. The walls were paper thin.
- Hyperbole: "paper thin"
- Explanation: Walls cannot literally be as thin as paper; this is an exaggerated way of saying the walls are very thin.

#### 15. I will die if he sees that picture!
- Hyperbole: "will die"
- Explanation: The speaker is not literally going to die; this is an exaggerated expression of fear or embarrassment.

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Final Answer:

The hyperboles in each sentence are circled below:

1. That ice cream cone was a mile high!
2. Shawn was so hungry he could eat a horse.
3. I have to do homework all the time.
4. Joe’s eyelids were as heavy as bricks.
5. I would just die if I had to sing in front of people.
6. There were too many to count.
7. I will be 100 years old before I know how to work this thing.
8. I will die if I can’t have some candy.
9. My little brother has been driving me crazy all day!
10. Charlie would argue with a brick wall.
11. When I grow up, I’m going to make tons of money.
12. Carly was sweating bullets waiting to see her grade on the test.
13. My grandpa is as old as dirt.
14. The walls were paper thin.
15. I will die if he sees that picture!

Boxed Final Answer:
\[
\boxed{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15}
\]