Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers Reviewer

ENGLISH: Grammar and correct Usage

Figurative expressions

Figurative expressions are intended to make communication more interesting, direct to the point and concrete. Here are the six very commonly used expressions:

1.                 Simile.            Using like and as, it is intended to pont out comparison of two ideas/objects belonging to different classification.

Example:       Anna smiles like Mona Liza.

Her face is as red as an apple.

2.                 Metaphor.    Compares objects/persons in an implied manner. Unlike simile, like and as are not use in the expressions/sentence.

Example:       she has the Mona Liza smile.

3.                 Hyperbole.   An overstatement; an exaggeration.

Example:       Lydia was tired to death after winning the race.

4.                 Litotes.          Opposite of hyperbole; it is an understatement.

Example:       pansol has warm springs all around. (Hyperbole: boiling                                                 springs)

5.                 Synecdoche:            Representation of a part to the whole idea/object.

Example:       As we listened to the lecturer, we were aware that we listened                                             to a famous mind.

6.                 Personification: Putting human qualities to objects without life.

Example:       As the wind blows, the cloud dances merrily while the breeze                                                 touches our cheeks gently.

Directions: Identify the figure of speech in each of the following statements:

1.                 Mang Pedro was crushed by the loss of his wife.

2.                 I enjoyed Summer and her tremendous charms and warmth.

3.                 Carlos is a bear on the floor during the Senior Prom.

4.                 Mayon Volcano is a nice landmark in Bicol.

5.                 Her cheeks are ­as red as a rose.

6.                 One’s dream is but a passing fancy and easily forgotten.

a)     Metaphor

b)    Hyperbole

c)     Personification

7.                 She neatly died laughing when she heard the funny jokes.

a)     Hyperbole

b)    Metaphor

c)     Simile

8.                 “Uneasy is the head which wears the crown.”

a)     Personification

b)    Metonymy

c)     Simile

9.                 She is a meek as a sheep and as fresh as the morning dew.

a)     Hyperbole

b)    Onomatopoeia

c)     Metonymy

10.            She is as meek as a sheep and as fresh as the morning dew.

a)     Simile

b)    Litotes

c)     Hyperbole

11.            Katulad niya ay maamong tupa kapag hindi galit.

a)     Simile

b)    Litotes

c)     Hyperbole

12.            Ang magiliw na pangungusap ay parang pulot-pukyutan, matamis sa panlasa, pampalusog ng katawan. (Kawikaan 16:24)

a)     Hyperbole

b)    Simile

c)     Litotes

13.            Para silang mga maamong kordero sa gitna ng mga gutom na leon.

a)     Synecdoche

b)    Simile

c)     Personification

14.            “Tandaan ninyo: malibang mahulog sa lupa ang butIl ng trigo at mamatay, mananatili itong nag-iisa. Ngunit kung mamatay, ito’Y mamumunga ng marami.” (Juan 12:24)

a)     Metaphor

b)    Synecdoche

c)     Personification

15.            “Kung ang ginto ay dinadalisay sa apoy, ang banal ay sinusubok ng Panginoon sa apoy ng pagtitiis. (Eccle. 2:5)

a)     Metaphor

b)    Litotes

c)     Synecdoche