Which term describes exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally?

Which term describes exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally?

• A. Simile
• B. Metaphor
• C. Hyperbole
• D. Alliteration

Answer: (C)

Exaggeration used for emphasis or humor, and not meant to be taken literally, is hyperbole. This figure of speech helps convey strong feelings or create a vivid impression. For example, saying “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse” isn’t literally true, but it shows how starving you feel. Simile compares two things using like or as (for example, “as brave as a lion”). A metaphor states that something is something else (for example, “time is a thief”). Alliteration repeats the initial sounds of neighboring words (for example, “silly snakes slither slowly”). These other devices don’t express extreme exaggeration in the same non-literal way, so they don’t fit this description.

Exaggeration used for emphasis or humor, and not meant to be taken literally, is hyperbole. This figure of speech helps convey strong feelings or create a vivid impression. For example, saying “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse” isn’t literally true, but it shows how starving you feel.

Simile compares two things using like or as (for example, “as brave as a lion”). A metaphor states that something is something else (for example, “time is a thief”). Alliteration repeats the initial sounds of neighboring words (for example, “silly snakes slither slowly”). These other devices don’t express extreme exaggeration in the same non-literal way, so they don’t fit this description.