Distinguishing Literal and Nonliteral Language in "Surprise Quiz"
Read the passage below called "Surprise Quiz." After reading, answer the short answer questions about literal and nonliteral language. Remember, literal language means exactly what it says. Nonliteral language uses words in creative ways to mean something different from their usual meaning.
Group 1
Answer the following questions using the passage above. Write your answers in complete sentences.
Source 1.1
Surprise Quiz
1 Mrs. Williams had been talking about George Washington for something like three years straight. Jana looked out the window and yawned.
2 “Jana, have you listened to anything I’ve said today?” asked Mrs. Williams.
3 Jana nodded, her head bobbing up and down like a yo-yo.
4 Mrs. Williams said, “Can you name the first president of the United States?”
5 Jana smiled because the question was as easy as pie. “George Washington.”
6 Mrs. Williams nodded, “Okay, now, can you tell us George Washington’s middle name?”
7 This question erased the smile from Jana’s face. She was completely in the dark about the answer, so she decided to guess. “He didn’t have one,” she said.
8 “That’s correct,” said Mrs. Williams. “One more question. Tell us about one important thing that George Washington did when he was president.”
9 Jana looked at Mrs. Williams with wide eyes, her heart pounding like a drum. Now Mrs. Williams would know she had not really been listening at all.
Benchmark Advance: Comprehension Quick Checks, Grade 3, Benchmark Education Company, LLC.
Question 1a
Find one example of nonliteral language in the passage. Write the sentence from the passage and explain what it really means using literal language.
Question 1b
Find another example of nonliteral language in the passage. Write the sentence from the passage and explain what it really means using literal language.
Question 1c
Find a third example of nonliteral language in the passage. Write the sentence from the passage and explain what it really means using literal language.
Question 1d
What does it mean when the passage says, “her heart pounding like a drum”? Explain using literal language.
Question 1e
What is the difference between literal and nonliteral language? Give an example of each from the passage.
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