Grade 6 English Language Arts · Figurative Language

Grade 6 Figurative Language Practice Test

Build Grade 6 English Language Arts skills with five 10-question practice tests on similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, idioms, alliteration, imagery, and tone.

Figurative Language Practice Tests

These Grade 6 English Language Arts practice tests help students recognize and interpret language that goes beyond literal meaning. Students practice similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, idioms, alliteration, imagery, mood, tone, and the effect of figurative comparisons.

Skills covered

  • Identifying similes and metaphors
  • Recognizing personification and hyperbole
  • Interpreting idioms in context
  • Finding alliteration and sensory imagery
  • Explaining how figurative language creates mood and tone
  • Distinguishing literal and figurative meaning
  • Choosing effective figurative language in writing

How to use these practice tests

Look for comparison words such as like or as, notice human actions given to nonhuman things, and watch for impossible exaggeration or familiar phrases with nonliteral meanings. Use the surrounding sentence to explain the image, feeling, or idea the language creates.

For more Grade 6 English Language Arts practice, return to the Grade 6 English Language Arts category.

1. Test

Grade 6 Figurative Language Practice Tests

A 10-question Grade 6 English Language Arts practice test on similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, idioms, alliteration, imagery, and figurative meaning.

Identify the type of figurative language, interpret its meaning in context, and explain how it creates an image, mood, tone, or emphasis.

10 Questions
0/10 Questions0 %
Correct 0
Incorrect 0
Unanswered 10
1. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence contains a simile?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The moon was like a silver coin in the sky..

  1. Notice the language: Look for a comparison, exaggeration, human quality, repeated sound, or nonliteral phrase.
  2. Interpret the meaning: The word "like" compares the moon with a silver coin, so the sentence contains a simile.
  3. Explain the effect: Connect the figurative language to the image, feeling, tone, or idea it creates.

The word "like" compares the moon with a silver coin, so the sentence contains a simile.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence contains a metaphor?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The classroom was a beehive of activity..

  1. Notice the language: Look for a comparison, exaggeration, human quality, repeated sound, or nonliteral phrase.
  2. Interpret the meaning: The sentence directly compares the classroom to a beehive without using like or as.
  3. Explain the effect: Connect the figurative language to the image, feeling, tone, or idea it creates.

The sentence directly compares the classroom to a beehive without using like or as.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence uses personification?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is The old house groaned in the wind..

  1. Notice the language: Look for a comparison, exaggeration, human quality, repeated sound, or nonliteral phrase.
  2. Interpret the meaning: Groaning is a human action given to the house, so the sentence uses personification.
  3. Explain the effect: Connect the figurative language to the image, feeling, tone, or idea it creates.

Groaning is a human action given to the house, so the sentence uses personification.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence contains hyperbole?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is I have told you a million times to close the door..

  1. Notice the language: Look for a comparison, exaggeration, human quality, repeated sound, or nonliteral phrase.
  2. Interpret the meaning: A million repetitions are an intentional exaggeration, which makes the sentence hyperbole.
  3. Explain the effect: Connect the figurative language to the image, feeling, tone, or idea it creates.

A million repetitions are an intentional exaggeration, which makes the sentence hyperbole.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

What does the idiom "break the ice" usually mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is To make people feel more comfortable at the beginning of an interaction.

  1. Notice the language: Look for a comparison, exaggeration, human quality, repeated sound, or nonliteral phrase.
  2. Interpret the meaning: Break the ice is a nonliteral phrase about starting conversation or reducing awkwardness.
  3. Explain the effect: Connect the figurative language to the image, feeling, tone, or idea it creates.

Break the ice is a nonliteral phrase about starting conversation or reducing awkwardness.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence contains alliteration?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Wild winds whispered through the willows..

  1. Notice the language: Look for a comparison, exaggeration, human quality, repeated sound, or nonliteral phrase.
  2. Interpret the meaning: The repeated w sound at the beginnings of words creates alliteration.
  3. Explain the effect: Connect the figurative language to the image, feeling, tone, or idea it creates.

The repeated w sound at the beginnings of words creates alliteration.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence uses a metaphor to describe a person?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is My brother is a human calculator..

  1. Notice the language: Look for a comparison, exaggeration, human quality, repeated sound, or nonliteral phrase.
  2. Interpret the meaning: The phrase human calculator compares the brother with a calculator to suggest strong calculation skills.
  3. Explain the effect: Connect the figurative language to the image, feeling, tone, or idea it creates.

The phrase human calculator compares the brother with a calculator to suggest strong calculation skills.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence uses personification to describe nature?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is The sunlight danced across the water..

  1. Notice the language: Look for a comparison, exaggeration, human quality, repeated sound, or nonliteral phrase.
  2. Interpret the meaning: Dancing is a human action attributed to sunlight, creating personification.
  3. Explain the effect: Connect the figurative language to the image, feeling, tone, or idea it creates.

Dancing is a human action attributed to sunlight, creating personification.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

Which phrase is an idiom?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is That test was a piece of cake..

  1. Notice the language: Look for a comparison, exaggeration, human quality, repeated sound, or nonliteral phrase.
  2. Interpret the meaning: A piece of cake is an idiom meaning something was easy, not an actual dessert.
  3. Explain the effect: Connect the figurative language to the image, feeling, tone, or idea it creates.

A piece of cake is an idiom meaning something was easy, not an actual dessert.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Why might an author use figurative language?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is To create vivid images and express ideas or feelings in memorable ways..

  1. Notice the language: Look for a comparison, exaggeration, human quality, repeated sound, or nonliteral phrase.
  2. Interpret the meaning: Figurative language helps readers imagine, feel, and remember an idea beyond literal wording.
  3. Explain the effect: Connect the figurative language to the image, feeling, tone, or idea it creates.

Figurative language helps readers imagine, feel, and remember an idea beyond literal wording.

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Frequently asked questions about Grade 6 Figurative Language

What topics are covered?

The page covers similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, idioms, alliteration, sensory imagery, literal and figurative meaning, mood, and tone.

How can students interpret figurative language?

Students can identify the language type, read the surrounding context, determine the comparison or exaggeration, and explain the image, feeling, or idea it creates.

How many questions are on this page?

The page includes five mini tests with 10 questions each, for 50 Grade 6 Figurative Language questions in total.