Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) Practice Test

Which word describes an exaggerated statement often used for emphasis?

1. Metaphor

2. Hyperbole

3. Allegory

4. Simile

The correct answer is: Hyperbole

The term that accurately describes an exaggerated statement used for emphasis is hyperbole. This literary device involves making statements that are not meant to be taken literally but rather serve to express strong feelings or create a dramatic effect. For example, saying "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse" is a hyperbole because it exaggerates the speaker's hunger to emphasize just how hungry they feel. In contrast, a metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unrelated things by stating one is the other, without using "like" or "as." Allegory involves a story with a deeper meaning, often moral or political, conveyed through symbolic figures and actions. A simile is similar to a metaphor but uses "like" or "as" to compare two different things. Understanding these distinctions helps to clarify why hyperbole is the fitting choice for a statement characterized by exaggeration.