Worked example
What does “the classroom was a beehive” suggest?
Answer & why
Answer: It was busy with activity.
The comparison points to the activity of a beehive, not literal bees.
Grade 6 · Reading & language
Interpret figurative language
Explain a comparison or exaggeration using its context.
8 authored questions + worked example
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All questions
All 8 authored questions for this skill.
Question 1
What does “time crawled” suggest?
- Time seemed to pass slowly.
- There were very many books.
- It was busy with activity.
- Her words were comforting.
A hint
Look for the quality shared by the comparison; do not read a figurative phrase as a literal measurement.
Answer & why
Answer: Time seemed to pass slowly.
Crawling represents slow movement in this figurative phrase.
Question 2
What does “an ocean of books” suggest?
- Her words were comforting.
- The news had a strong sudden effect.
- It was busy with activity.
- There were very many books.
A hint
Look for the quality shared by the comparison; do not read a figurative phrase as a literal measurement.
Answer & why
Answer: There were very many books.
The ocean comparison emphasizes a very large quantity.
Question 3
What does “the classroom was a beehive” suggest?
- It was busy with activity.
- The news had a strong sudden effect.
- The path was long and narrow.
- Her words were comforting.
A hint
Look for the quality shared by the comparison; do not read a figurative phrase as a literal measurement.
Answer & why
Answer: It was busy with activity.
The comparison points to the activity of a beehive, not literal bees.
Question 4
What does “her words were a warm blanket” suggest?
- Her words were comforting.
- The news had a strong sudden effect.
- The path was long and narrow.
- It gives wind a human action.
A hint
Look for the quality shared by the comparison; do not read a figurative phrase as a literal measurement.
Answer & why
Answer: Her words were comforting.
A warm blanket suggests comfort; the phrase describes the effect of the words.
Question 5
What does “the news hit like a wave” suggest?
- The path was long and narrow.
- It gives wind a human action.
- The suitcase felt very heavy.
- The news had a strong sudden effect.
A hint
Look for the quality shared by the comparison; do not read a figurative phrase as a literal measurement.
Answer & why
Answer: The news had a strong sudden effect.
The simile compares the force of the news to a wave.
Question 6
What does “the path was a ribbon through the field” suggest?
- Time seemed to pass slowly.
- It gives wind a human action.
- The suitcase felt very heavy.
- The path was long and narrow.
A hint
Look for the quality shared by the comparison; do not read a figurative phrase as a literal measurement.
Answer & why
Answer: The path was long and narrow.
A ribbon's shape helps describe the path.
Question 7
What does “the wind whispered” do?
- Time seemed to pass slowly.
- The suitcase felt very heavy.
- It gives wind a human action.
- There were very many books.
A hint
Look for the quality shared by the comparison; do not read a figurative phrase as a literal measurement.
Answer & why
Answer: It gives wind a human action.
Whispering is a human action; giving it to wind is personification.
Question 8
What does “the suitcase weighed a ton” most likely mean?
- Time seemed to pass slowly.
- There were very many books.
- It was busy with activity.
- The suitcase felt very heavy.
A hint
Look for the quality shared by the comparison; do not read a figurative phrase as a literal measurement.
Answer & why
Answer: The suitcase felt very heavy.
The exaggeration emphasizes weight rather than stating a measured ton.