Literal or figurative? Phrases that don't mean what they say

Question 1

Is this sentence literal or figurative? I ate a piece of cake at the party.

• A. literal: it means exactly what it says
• B. figurative: it means something different

Question 2

Read the sentence. It costs an arm and a leg to fix the car. What does "an arm and a leg" mean?

• A. a small amount
• B. a lot of money
• C. a long time
• D. a doctor's visit

Question 3

Is this sentence literal or figurative? I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.

• A. literal: it means exactly what it says
• B. figurative: it means something different

Question 4

Read the sentence. When Mo saw the spider, he jumped out of his skin. What does "jumped out of his skin" mean?

• A. He jumped very high.
• B. He took off his coat.
• C. He was very startled.
• D. He hurt himself.

Question 5

Is this sentence literal or figurative? Dad broke a plate when he dropped it.

• A. literal: it means exactly what it says
• B. figurative: it means something different

Question 6

Read the sentence. When Mo saw the spider, he jumped out of his skin. What does "jumped out of his skin" mean?

• A. He was very startled.
• B. He jumped very high.
• C. He took off his coat.
• D. He hurt himself.

Question 7

Is this sentence literal or figurative? My bedroom is a pigsty.

• A. literal: it means exactly what it says
• B. figurative: it means something different

Question 8

Read the sentence. My little sister is a chatterbox. What does that mean?

• A. She likes boxes.
• B. She is very quiet.
• C. She owns a box.
• D. She talks a lot.

Question 9

Is this sentence literal or figurative? The rabbit has long, soft ears.

• A. literal: it means exactly what it says
• B. figurative: it means something different

Question 10

Read the sentence. It costs an arm and a leg to fix the car. What does "an arm and a leg" mean?

• A. a long time
• B. a small amount
• C. a lot of money
• D. a doctor's visit

Question 11

Is this sentence literal or figurative? Time flies when you're having fun.

• A. literal: it means exactly what it says
• B. figurative: it means something different

Question 12

Read the sentence. The new rule was a bitter pill to swallow. What does "a bitter pill to swallow" mean?

• A. an easy rule
• B. some medicine
• C. something hard to accept
• D. something tasty

Question 13

Is this sentence literal or figurative? My bedroom is a pigsty.

• A. literal: it means exactly what it says
• B. figurative: it means something different

Question 14

Read the sentence. The maths test was a piece of cake. What does "a piece of cake" mean?

• A. very sweet
• B. very messy
• C. very long
• D. very easy

Question 15

Is this sentence literal or figurative? Hold your horses, we're not ready yet!

• A. literal: it means exactly what it says
• B. figurative: it means something different

Question 16

Read the sentence. My little sister is a chatterbox. What does that mean?

• A. She owns a box.
• B. She likes boxes.
• C. She is very quiet.
• D. She talks a lot.