This worksheet has twenty examples of hyperbole and understatement. Students read each example, determine whether it is an example of hyperbole or understatement. Then they explain their answers. This is a great activity to help your students better understand figurative language.
R.4 - Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.
RL.2.4 - Describe how words and phrases (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song. RL.3.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language. RL.4.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean). RL.5.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes. RL.6.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone. RL.7.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama. RL.8.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts. RL.9-10.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone). RL.11-12.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful. (Include Shakespeare as well as other authors.)
Click to VIEW Grade Level Standards for R.4
L.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.3.5a - Distinguish the literal and nonliteral meanings of words and phrases in context (e.g., take steps). L.4.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. L.4.5a - Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context. L.5.5a - Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context. L.6.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. L.6.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g., personification) in context. L.7.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. L.7.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g., literary, biblical, and mythological allusions) in context. L.8.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. L.8.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g. verbal irony, puns) in context. L.9-10.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. L.11-12.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. L.11-12.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g., hyperbole, paradox) in context and analyze their role in the text.