Figurative Language for CLAT - Practice Questions & MCQ

Figurative Language: 

Figurative language is like a secret code that writers use to make their writing more interesting and colorful. Instead of saying things in a straightforward way, they use words and phrases to create pictures in our minds. It's like painting a vivid picture with words. Let's explore some common types of figurative language:

1. Simile: Comparing with "Like" or "As"

A simile is a comparison between two things using the words "like" or "as." It helps us understand something better by comparing it to something familiar. Here are some examples:

• Her smile was as bright as the sun.
• The watermelon tasted sweet like candy.

In both sentences, we're comparing one thing to another using "as" and "like."

2. Metaphor: Saying One Thing Is Another

A metaphor is a way to say that one thing is another, even though they're not the same. It helps create strong and imaginative images. Here are some examples:

• His heart is a lion, strong and brave.
• The world is a stage, and we are all actors.

In these sentences, we're not saying that a heart is literally a lion or that the world is a real stage. It's just a way of painting a vivid picture in our minds.

3. Personification: Giving Human Traits to Non-Humans

Personification is when we give human qualities to objects, animals, or even ideas. It makes them seem more alive and relatable. Examples:

• The wind whispered through the trees.
• The stars danced in the night sky.

In these sentences, the wind and stars are given human-like actions.

4. Hyperbole: Exaggeration for Effect

Hyperbole is when you exaggerate a lot to make a point or create a strong impression. It's like stretching the truth for dramatic effect. Examples:

• I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.
• She has a million things to do.

Nobody is really going to eat a whole horse, but it shows just how hungry or busy someone feels.

5. Idiom: Phrases That Mean Something Different

Idioms are phrases that don't mean exactly what the words say. They have hidden meanings that we learn over time. Examples:

• It's raining cats and dogs. (It's raining heavily, not really cats and dogs falling from the sky.)
• I'm on cloud nine. (Feeling extremely happy, not literally floating on clouds.)

Idioms can be a bit tricky because you have to know what they mean; otherwise, they might sound strange!

Figurative language helps make stories and poems more interesting and fun to read. It paints pictures in our minds and lets us feel and imagine things in new and exciting ways. So, when you're reading, keep an eye out for these colorful language tricks, and when you're writing, try using them to make your words come alive!