Final answer:
The sentence provided does not employ figurative language; it is a literal statement. Figurative language involves the use of metaphors, similes, and personification to create more vivid and creative expressions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sentence "Things at home are tough because my dad last week was laid off" does not contain any explicit forms of figurative language such as metaphors, similes, or personification. It is a straightforward statement that expresses a fact about a difficult situation at home because of unemployment. To recognize figurative language, we look for comparisons, exaggerations, or expressions that give human characteristics to inanimate objects or abstract ideas.
For example, "The Oldsmobile was on its last legs" is a metaphor suggesting the car is very old and not functioning well without literally having legs. Or, describing bright orange flowers sailing in the wind like swallows (simile) gives a vivid picture by comparing flowers to birds. Meanwhile, saying "poverty is a formidable enemy" personifies an abstract concept, giving it the characteristic of an opponent.