Figures of Speech

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Metaphors, similes, and more — can you identify these common figures of speech?

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What figure of speech is used in: 'She is as brave as a lion'?

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About Figures of Speech

Metaphors, similes, and more — can you identify these common figures of speech? Figures of Speech packs 15 multiple-choice questions with a mix of 6 medium, 5 easy, 4 hard questions into a relaxed session of roughly 7 minutes — no sign-up, no timer pressure. An explanation appears after every answer, and finishing once a day keeps your streak alive.

A few sample questions

  1. 1. What figure of speech is used in: 'She is as brave as a lion'?

    Answer: Simile

    A simile compares two things using 'as' or 'like.' Here, her bravery is compared to a lion's using 'as.'

  2. 2. What figure of speech is used in: 'Time is money'?

    Answer: Metaphor

    A metaphor directly states that one thing IS another without using 'like' or 'as.' Time is compared to money directly.

  3. 3. What figure of speech is used in: 'I've told you a million times'?

    Answer: Hyperbole

    Hyperbole is deliberate and obvious exaggeration for emphasis. No one has literally said something a million times.

  4. 4. What figure of speech is used in: 'The wind whispered through the trees'?

    Answer: Personification

    Personification gives human qualities to non-human things. Wind cannot literally whisper — that is a human action.

  5. 5. Which of these is an example of onomatopoeia?

    Answer: The cat went hiss and scratch

    Onomatopoeia is a word that imitates the natural sound it describes. 'Hiss' and 'scratch' mimic actual sounds.

Things you'll learn along the way

  • Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial consonant sound in nearby words. 'She sells seashells by the seashore' repeats the 's' and 'sh' sounds.
  • An oxymoron combines two contradictory terms. Silence cannot literally be deafening, creating a striking contradiction.
  • Irony involves a contrast between expectation and reality. A fire station is meant to fight fires, so it burning down is deeply ironic.

Frequently asked questions

Can I print Figures of Speech?

Yes — use the Print button at the top of the page for a clean question sheet, or "Print with Answers" to make an answer key. Printed sheets work well for group play at home, in a classroom, or at a senior center.

Will I lose my progress if I close the page?

Your overall progress — XP, streaks, and badges — is saved in your browser automatically. A quiz that's underway restarts if you leave mid-game, but at about 7 minutes, Figures of Speech fits comfortably in one sitting.

How many questions are in Figures of Speech?

Figures of Speech has 15 multiple-choice questions. Each one has four answer options and an explanation that appears after you answer, so you learn something even when you miss.

Is Figures of Speech free to play?

Yes. The entire SeniorBrainGames catalog — including Figures of Speech — is free, with no sign-up required, no time limits, and no ads on top of the game. It also works offline once the page has loaded once.

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