Distinguish literal vs. figurative meanings of words and phrases in context (CCSS L.7.5.a)
Exercise
Difficulty 1
~5 min
eng.g7.s.ex_04
Literal Figurative Sort
Prompt
For each sentence, mark whether the bold phrase is LITERAL or FIGURATIVE. (1) 'It was raining cats and dogs.' (2) 'The cats were sleeping on the rug.' (3) 'The lamp threw a soft light.' (4) 'She drank in the view.' (5) 'He drank the water slowly.'
Answer criteria
type
classification
correct
- figurative
- literal
- figurative
- figurative
- literal
Hints
- A literal reading takes words at face value; a figurative reading takes them as a comparison or extension.
- Ask: could this actually happen physically? If no, figurative.
Misconceptions to watch
- Marks 'threw a soft light' as literal (literally light cannot be thrown).
- Confuses common phrases with literal because they're familiar.
Used in lessons