Figurative Language

Denise and Mark were given a science project to work on together. Denise was
happy with the teacher's choice. She had worked with Mark before but only on
assignments in class. He was one of the nicest boys in class.
The teacher gave them four weeks for this assignment. Denise and Mark split up
the work to make it easier on each other and decided to meet several times a week.
Denise thought, This assignment will be easy, especially since I have a great
partner.
During the second week of the assignment, Denise wanted to compare notes
with Mark. She went over to his house after school and saw that he had not even
started on his assignment. In fact, he didn't have anything to show because he had
lost everything the teacher had given him. Frustration came over her like a wave.
Denise was hoping to get started on this as a team and instead went home empty-
handed. She was very upset with Mark and decided to go home and work even
harder because she did not want a bad grade.
They met two other times to work on the assignment. Each time, nothing was
done on Mark's part of the assignment. Denise decided she was not going to let
Mark give up easily, so she said to him, "We need to work like busy bees. But you
also need to do your part." Mark then thought about what Denise had said and
decided he was going to prove that he could do it. During the fourth week, Mark
started his assignment and worked day and night. His mother begged him to take a
break, but he was a stubborn mule about completing his work and stayed focused.
The teacher was impressed and gave both of them an A on their science project.
Mark thanked Denise for encouraging him to work hard. They ended up being even
better friends.

1. The author compares Denise's frustration to

A. an ocean wave.
B. a bad grade.
C. a science project.
D. a busy bee.

2. Mark's mother compares him to a stubborn mule because Mark

A. is determined to finish his work.

B. tries to walk with his arms and legs.
C. wants his mother to buy him a mule.
D. does not do his part to help Denise.
 The lake was a sheet of polished glass as Charlene fished beside her dad from
their little rowboat. She had cast her line and now sat watching the orange floater
as it bobbed gently. Suddenly, the floater disappeared beneath the surface and the
reel nearly flew from Charlene's hand. Grasping the reel like a baseball bat, she
gave the line a sharp tug backward to hook the fish. Then she began reeling it in,
the fish fighting as hard as a boxer in the ring. Charlene's dad stood cheering her
on, as his daughter landed the biggest perch he'd ever seen.

3. Which of the phrases from the paragraph is an example of a simile?

A. ". . .the fish fighting as hard as a boxer in the ring."

B. ". . .Charlene fished beside her dad from their little rowboat."
C. "Suddenly, the floater disappeared beneath the surface. . ."
D. ". . .watching the orange floater as it bobbed gently."

4. Why does the author compare the fishing reel to a baseball bat?

A. to convince the reader that Charlene is an athlete

B. because readers who like fishing will also like baseball
C. because fishing and baseball are very similar
D. to help the reader visualize how Charlene grasped it

5. What is the meaning of the phrase, "The lake was a sheet of polished glass"?

A. The lake was frozen solid.

B. It was dangerous to be on the lake.
C. The lake was calm.
D. A storm was coming.
 Best Friends
by J. Robbins
My best friend is short and fat;
he drools when he's asleep;
He loves to play in dirty fields;
his bed is just a heap.
He chases cats and kittens, and
he can be such a pest;
But even so, I love my dog;
I think he is the best.

6. Which line from the poem above has an example of alliteration?

A. Line 5
B. Line 3
C. Line 7
D. Line 6

7. Toni and Alex got into a huge argument the night before, after she and
Alex had eaten dinner. Toni walked out of the dining room because Alex was
being loud and mean. She sat on the easy-chair and turned on the television.
She tried to ignore him, but it was impossible. The argument was an anvil
weighing down her mind. She couldn't even think straight.

The author compares Toni's argument to

A. an anvil.
B. an easy chair.
C. a television.
D. a headache.
8.
The moon arched its back in the car's window. It seemed to be
snagged on the night. Even the stars were painted over by the night.
Preston looked out at the blackness of the night. The way the car shook
along the road kept him from sleeping during the trip. He had hoped that
the trip would be prettier. In the night, though, nothing was pretty.

What does the author mean by saying, "The moon arched its back in the car's
window"?

A. The moon was curved in the night sky.

B. The moon had a painful back ache.
C. The moon had to stretch to be seen.
D. The moon was really driving the car.

The sun is shining sea to sea

With rays as white as winter snow
The moon is sparkling way up high
The clouds are dancing just like me

I watch the birds come and go

Their wings are waving me goodbye
I wish I could climb the rainbow
And play like the stars in the sky

9. Which line from the poem above is an example of alliteration?

A. I watch the birds come and go

B. The clouds are dancing just like me
C. With rays as white as winter snow
D. The moon is sparkling way up high
 The Rebel
by J. Robbins
My teacher tries to tell me
that I must rush to class.
I tell her that it's just too nice
outside here on the grass.
I like to watch the kids go past
and gaze into the sky.
I really ought to get to class;
I promise, soon I'll try.

10. Which phrase from the poem above is an example of alliteration?

A. it's just too nice

B. I must rush to class
C. and gaze into the sky
D. teacher tries to tell