GED Reasoning Through Language Arts: Reading Comprehension, Fiction, Figurative Language, Simile, Metaphor, Personification, Symbolism

What Is This?

Figurative Language is a literary device used to create vivid and evocative descriptions in fiction. It involves using words or phrases that deviate from literal or factual meaning to convey a particular emotion, idea, or atmosphere.

This topic appears in exams because it tests your ability to analyze and interpret literary language, which is a crucial skill for understanding and appreciating fiction. The examiner wants to see if you can identify and explain the use of figurative language in a text, and how it contributes to the overall meaning and effect of the story.

Why It Matters

This topic is commonly tested in exams for English Literature, Language, and Creative Writing. It typically carries around 20-30% of the total marks, and appears in around 30-40% of the questions. The examiner is testing your ability to analyze and interpret literary language, which is a key skill for understanding and appreciating fiction.

Core Concepts

To master this topic, you need to understand the following core concepts:

• Simile: a comparison between two unlike things using "like" or "as". Example: "He ran like a cheetah."
• Metaphor: a comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as". Example: "He is a lion on the soccer field."
• Personification: attributing human qualities or characteristics to non-human entities, such as objects, animals, or ideas. Example: "The sun smiled down on us."
• Symbolism: using an object, color, or other element to represent an abstract idea or concept. Example: "The rose symbolized love and passion."

Prerequisites

Before tackling this topic, you should have a solid understanding of:

• Literary devices, such as imagery, alliteration, and onomatopoeia
• Grammar rules, such as verb tense and subject-verb agreement
• Basic literary analysis skills, such as identifying themes and motifs

If you're missing these prerequisites, you may struggle to understand and apply the concepts in this topic.

The Rule-Book (How It Works)

Here's a plain-English walkthrough of the underlying logic:

• Primary Rule: Figurative language is used to create vivid and evocative descriptions in fiction.
• Sub-Rules:
  • Similes use "like" or "as" to compare two unlike things.
  • Metaphors compare two unlike things without using "like" or "as".
  • Personification attributes human qualities or characteristics to non-human entities.
  • Symbolism uses an object, color, or other element to represent an abstract idea or concept.
• Exceptions:
  • Some similes use "as" instead of "like".
  • Some metaphors use a phrase or clause instead of a single word.
• Edge Cases:
  • Some figurative language devices, such as hyperbole and understatement, may overlap with other literary devices.

Exam / Job / Audit Weighting

Frequency: 30-40% Difficulty Rating: Intermediate Question Type or Real-World Task Type: Analytical and interpretive questions, such as identifying and explaining figurative language devices in a text.

Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Must-Know Rules, Formulas, Standards, or Principles

Here are the 3 most important rules and principles for this topic:

1. Identify and explain the figurative language device: Be able to identify the type of figurative language device used in a text, and explain how it contributes to the overall meaning and effect of the story.
2. Analyze the context: Consider the context in which the figurative language device is used, and how it relates to the themes, motifs, and other literary elements in the text.
3. Use evidence from the text: Support your analysis with evidence from the text, such as quotes or descriptions.

Worked Examples (Step-by-Step)

Here are 3 solved examples that escalate in difficulty:

Example 1: Easy

Question: Identify the figurative language device used in the following sentence: "The sun was shining brightly in the sky." Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Read the sentence carefully.
2. Identify the word or phrase that stands out as unusual or evocative.
3. Determine the type of figurative language device used (in this case, a simile).
4. Explain how the device contributes to the overall meaning and effect of the sentence.

Answer: The figurative language device used is a simile, which compares the sun's brightness to a human quality (shining). This contributes to the overall meaning and effect of the sentence by creating a vivid and evocative description.

Example 2: Medium

Question: Analyze the following passage: "The city was a beast, devouring its inhabitants with its concrete and steel jaws." Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Read the passage carefully.
2. Identify the figurative language devices used (in this case, personification and metaphor).
3. Explain how the devices contribute to the overall meaning and effect of the passage.
4. Use evidence from the text to support your analysis.

Answer: The figurative language devices used are personification and metaphor, which attribute human qualities (beast-like behavior) and compare the city to a living entity. This contributes to the overall meaning and effect of the passage by creating a vivid and evocative description of the city as a powerful and oppressive force.

Example 3: Hard

Question: Identify and explain the figurative language devices used in the following passage: "The old mansion stood like a ghostly sentinel, watching over the sleeping town." Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Read the passage carefully.
2. Identify the figurative language devices used (in this case, simile and personification).
3. Explain how the devices contribute to the overall meaning and effect of the passage.
4. Use evidence from the text to support your analysis.

Answer: The figurative language devices used are simile and personification, which compare the mansion to a ghostly sentinel and attribute human qualities (watching over the town). This contributes to the overall meaning and effect of the passage by creating a vivid and evocative description of the mansion as a mysterious and protective presence.

Common Exam Traps & Mistakes

Here are 4 specific errors that cost marks in exams:

Trap 1: Failing to identify the figurative language device

Wrong Answer: The sentence "The sun was shining brightly in the sky." is an example of personification. Why It Looks Right: The sentence uses the word "shining", which is a human quality, so it might seem like personification. Correct Approach: Identify the word or phrase that stands out as unusual or evocative, and determine the type of figurative language device used.

Trap 2: Failing to explain the context

Wrong Answer: The passage "The city was a beast, devouring its inhabitants with its concrete and steel jaws." is an example of a simile. Why It Looks Right: The passage uses the word "beast", which is a comparison, so it might seem like a simile. Correct Approach: Analyze the context in which the figurative language device is used, and explain how it relates to the themes, motifs, and other literary elements in the text.

Trap 3: Failing to use evidence from the text

Wrong Answer: The passage "The old mansion stood like a ghostly sentinel, watching over the sleeping town." is an example of personification. Why It Looks Right: The passage uses the word "watching", which is a human quality, so it might seem like personification. Correct Approach: Use evidence from the text to support your analysis, such as quotes or descriptions.

Trap 4: Failing to identify the type of figurative language device

Wrong Answer: The sentence "The sun was shining brightly in the sky." is an example of a metaphor. Why It Looks Right: The sentence uses the word "shining", which is a human quality, so it might seem like a metaphor. Correct Approach: Identify the type of figurative language device used, and explain how it contributes to the overall meaning and effect of the sentence.

Shortcut Strategies & Exam Hacks

Here are some practical techniques to solve questions faster or more accurately under time pressure:

• Use a checklist: Create a checklist of the common figurative language devices, and use it to identify the device used in a text.
• Look for signal words: Identify signal words such as "like", "as", "was", and "seemed", which can indicate the use of a figurative language device.
• Use pattern recognition: Recognize patterns in the text, such as repeated words or phrases, which can indicate the use of a figurative language device.
• Eliminate impossible answers: Eliminate answers that are clearly incorrect, and focus on the remaining options.

Question-Type Taxonomy

Here are the 3 distinct question formats this topic appears in across different exams:

Practice Set (MCQs)

Here are 5 multiple-choice questions at mixed difficulty levels:

Question 1: Easy

Question: Identify the figurative language device used in the following sentence: "The sun was shining brightly in the sky." Options: A) Simile, B) Metaphor, C) Personification, D) Symbolism Correct Answer: A) Simile Explanation: The sentence uses the word "shining", which is a human quality, and compares the sun's brightness to a human quality. Why the Distractors Are Tempting: Options B, C, and D are tempting because they are all figurative language devices, but they are not the correct answer in this case.

Question 2: Medium

Question: Analyze the following passage: "The city was a beast, devouring its inhabitants with its concrete and steel jaws." Options: A) The city is a metaphor for a living entity, B) The city is a simile for a living entity, C) The city is a personification of a living entity, D) The city is a symbol for a living entity Correct Answer: A) The city is a metaphor for a living entity Explanation: The passage uses the word "beast", which is a comparison, and attributes human qualities (beast-like behavior) to the city. Why the Distractors Are Tempting: Options B, C, and D are tempting because they are all figurative language devices, but they are not the correct answer in this case.

Question 3: Hard

Question: Identify and explain the figurative language devices used in the following passage: "The old mansion stood like a ghostly sentinel, watching over the sleeping town." Options: A) Simile and personification, B) Metaphor and personification, C) Symbolism and personification, D) Simile and symbolism Correct Answer: A) Simile and personification Explanation: The passage uses the word "stood like", which is a comparison, and attributes human qualities (watching over the town) to the mansion. Why the Distractors Are Tempting: Options B, C, and D are tempting because they are all combinations of figurative language devices, but they are not the correct answer in this case.

Question 4: Easy

Question: Identify the figurative language device used in the following sentence: "The rose symbolized love and passion." Options: A) Simile, B) Metaphor, C) Personification, D) Symbolism Correct Answer: D) Symbolism Explanation: The sentence uses the word "symbolized", which indicates that the rose represents an abstract idea or concept. Why the Distractors Are Tempting: Options A, B, and C are tempting because they are all figurative language devices, but they are not the correct answer in this case.

Question 5: Medium

Question: Analyze the following passage: "The old man walked slowly, his eyes fixed on the horizon." Options: A) The old man is a metaphor for a living entity, B) The old man is a simile for a living entity, C) The old man is a personification of a living entity, D) The old man is a symbol for a living entity Correct Answer: C) The old man is a personification of a living entity Explanation: The passage uses the word "fixed", which is a human quality, and attributes human qualities (looking at the horizon) to the old man. Why the Distractors Are Tempting: Options A, B, and D are tempting because they are all figurative language devices, but they are not the correct answer in this case.

30-Second Cheat Sheet

Here are the 5-7 things a student must remember walking into the exam hall:

• Identify and explain the figurative language device: Be able to identify the type of figurative language device used in a text, and explain how it contributes to the overall meaning and effect of the story.
• Analyze the context: Consider the context in which the figurative language device is used, and how it relates to the themes, motifs, and other literary elements in the text.
• Use evidence from the text: Support your analysis with evidence from the text, such as quotes or descriptions.
• Look for signal words: Identify signal words such as "like", "as", "was", and "seemed", which can indicate the use of a figurative language device.
• Recognize patterns: Recognize patterns in the text, such as repeated words or phrases, which can indicate the use of a figurative language device.
• Eliminate impossible answers: Eliminate answers that are clearly incorrect, and focus on the remaining options.

Learning Path

Here is a suggested study sequence to master this topic from scratch to exam-ready:

1. Beginner foundation: Understand the basics of literary devices, grammar rules, and basic literary analysis skills.
2. Core rules: Learn the primary and sub-rules of figurative language devices, including simile, metaphor, personification, and symbolism.
3. Practice: Practice identifying and explaining figurative language devices in texts, and analyzing the context in which they are used.
4. Timed drills: Practice timed drills to improve your speed and accuracy in identifying and explaining figurative language devices.
5. Mock tests: Take mock tests to simulate the exam experience and identify areas for improvement.

Related Topics

Here are 3 closely connected topics that appear alongside this one in exams:

• Literary Devices: Understand the basics of literary devices, such as imagery, alliteration, and onomatopoeia.
• Literary Analysis: Develop basic literary analysis skills, such as identifying themes and motifs.
• Poetry Analysis: Learn to analyze and interpret poetry, including figurative language devices and literary devices.