8.3.1 Literal vs. figurative
For each sentence decide whether the meaning is literal or figurative. Highlight your choice. If
it is figurative, explain what the speaker meant.
1. I was late for the meeting, so I ran all the way here.
Literal or figurative
2. The new facial made her skin glow.
Literal or figurative Skin is clean
3. The traffic was terrible. We were going 5 miles an hour all the way!
Literal or figurative
4. Amy has enough books in her apartment to open a library.
Literal or figurative has a lot of book
5. The concert space was the size of a basketball stadium.
Literal or figurative
6. It was so windy that the blinds flew out of the house.
Literal or figurative
7. Andy could beat a cheetah.
Literal or figurative andy runs fast
8. I trained for 3 hours a day, every day.
Literal or figurative
9. The cell phone alarm was as loud as a fog horn.
Literal or figurative the alarm sounded loud
10. The hotel was as tall as a skyscraper.
Literal o Figurative
11. There is nothing to do in our city.
Literal or figurative our people are boring
12. The drink tasted as sour as lemons.
Literal or figurative
13. The school year ended in the blink of an eye.
Literal or figurative the year passed quickly
14. Always get too much food at the buffet; his eyes are bigger than his stomach. Literal or
figurative consume a lot of food
15. She would rather stay at home than go to that restaurant again!
Literaryl o Figurative
16. You have never forgotten a birthday, anniversary or holiday.
Literal or figurative
17. When I read books, I get lost in their world.
Literal or figurative concentrates read
18. He was so frightened that he trembled and turned pale.
Literal or figurative