Engish STAAR ( State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) Practice Test

Which type of language employs expressions that differ from their literal interpretation?

1. Metaphor

2. Figurative language

3. Simile

4. Dramatic irony

The correct answer is: Figurative language

Figurative language encompasses a wide range of expressions that do not convey their meanings in a straightforward, literal manner. Instead, it involves the use of various devices, such as metaphors, similes, and hyperbole, to create more vivid and imaginative descriptions or to evoke specific emotions and ideas. By using figurative language, writers can create a deeper connection with readers, encouraging them to think beyond the surface meaning of the words and to engage with the text on a more profound level. While metaphors and similes are specific forms of figurative language that involve comparisons to convey meanings indirectly, figurative language as a broader category includes all such expressions. Dramatic irony, on the other hand, refers to a situation in which the audience is aware of something that the characters are not, which does not fit the criterion of having a non-literal interpretation at the level of individual language expressions. Thus, recognizing that figurative language encompasses all such devices solidifies its role as the correct answer.