Question

Which describes figurative language?

1) The use of varying long sentences and shorter sentences
2) The use of hyperbole, personification, simile, or metaphor
3) The use of an informal style
4) The use of a formal, straightforward style

Answer 1

Figurative language refers to expressions not meant to be taken literally, such as similes, metaphors, personification, and hyperbole, which add depth and insight to literature.

Step-by-step explanation:

Figurative language describes the use of words or expressions that should not be taken literally to add depth and insight to writing. This can include similes, metaphors, personification, and hyperbole. It is a key artistic tool in literature that allows authors to convey emotions, visualize scenarios, and imbue texts with a unique style.

When an author uses a phrase like 'the classroom was a zoo', they are employing a metaphor to suggest that the classroom is as noisy and chaotic as a zoo without making a literal comparison. Using figurative language in the form of a simile could be something like, 'the test was like a never-ending marathon', suggesting the length and difficulty of the test by comparing it to a marathon.

Personification might turn a city into a living entity by saying 'the city never sleeps', and hyperbole could exaggerate a point by stating 'I have a mountain of homework'. By enriching the text with these elements, authors not only enhance imagery and meaning but also engage readers' senses and emotions.