1. ASManager2_6.zip Driver
2. I_FIG1.txt File Contents

I_FIG1.txt Driver File Contents (ASManager2_6.zip)

Name: <  >
Class: <  >
Date: <  >

Figurative Language, Part 1

Figurative language uses words to create special effects. For example, when Sara says, "Goldie and Clarence are thick as molasses," which does she mean?

a. Goldie and Clarence are "just friends."

b. Goldie and Clarence are "going steady."

Probably, Sara means they are "going steady." Figurative language is not meant to be taken literally, or to mean what it actually says. It suggests a meaning quite different. Below, you'll read what Professor Wordwhip has to say on the subject.

Some native speakers of English are so at home in their language that they fall into figurative language, not realizing that a non-native speaker may be left in the dark. Even a simple statement about the weather may be so cloudy that it is misunderstood. Other speakers, however, stay on top of the problem and stick strictly to the point, knowing that their listeners are eating up every word.

...so says Professor Wordwhip

Read the bank of literal expressions below. Use them to replace Professor Wordwhip's more figurative expressions, which are enclosed in brackets [ ] following the word bank.

Literal Expressions

at ease with	lapse	vague
misunderstand	are aware of	speak clearly
comprehending

Some native speakers of English are so [at home in] their language that they [fall into] figurative language, not realizing that a non-native speaker may [be left in the dark]. Even a simple statement about the weather may be so [cloudy] that it is misunderstood. Other speakers, however, [stay on top of] the problem and [stick strictly to the point], knowing that their listeners are [eating up] every word.


Name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

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You'll find both literal and figurative phrases in the list below! First, decide if a phrase is a figurative expression. Then complete the lines of dialogue by selecting the most appropriate speaker from the first list. Type your answer in the angle brackets.

Speakers:

a friend
fire fighter
poet
mother to babysitter
a cook
pharmacist
mother to doctor
detective
weatherman
carpenter

Dialogues:

"Andrea is burning up!" said <  >.

"Keep your eyes on Johnny!" said <  >.

"Winds up to 30 mph are expected," said <  >.

"I'll nail you for that!" said <  >.

"Just add a pinch of salt," said <  >.

"The clouds were tipped in rosy pink," said <  >.

"The mixture calls for 12.5 milligrams of NaCl," said <  >.

"Carmelita is true blue," said <  >.


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In the activity you just completed, only two of the statements were literal. List the literal statements below.

<  >

Below is a set of figurative expressions. Use them in sentences. Remember, you can type on either side of the expression to complete your sentence. 

1.  walking on air

2.  kicking back

3.  blown away

4.  hang loose

5.  sharp as a tack

6.  in the groove

7.  stand on your own two feet

8.  lionhearted


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Now write a paragraph using at least three figurative expressions. These can be figurative expressions that are used by you and your friends--expressions that your parents might not understand!

<  >


If you haven't done so already, name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

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end of activity
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