Name: _____________________________
Hyperbole and Understatement Worksheet 1 

Directions: Read each example. Determine whether each is an instance of hyperbole or understatement. Choose your response and explain what is being understated or hyperbolized. 

Example:  The moon was high, all were sleeping, and the whole world was at peace.

This is an example of…		Hyperbole	    /	   Understatement

I believe this because...

The speaker is exaggerating how peaceful things were. Some people had to be awake at that time. Some people in the world had to have been fighting and not at peace.

1.  The rain pours, pours endlessly.

This is an example of…		Hyperbole	    /	   Understatement

I believe this because...

	

2.  She gave birth to me, raised me and provided for me from an infant… Maybe I owe her one.

This is an example of…		Hyperbole	    /	   Understatement

I believe this because...

	

3.  It wasn't too neighborly when he poisoned my poodle.

This is an example of…		Hyperbole	    /	   Understatement

I believe this because...

	

4.  He was tired of life and too tired to die.

This is an example of…		Hyperbole	    /	   Understatement

I believe this because...

	

5.  Jeb figured that wrestling the grizzly bear would be a tad bit risky, so he went back the way he came.

This is an example of…		Hyperbole	    /	   Understatement

I believe this because...

	

6.  When I die shatter the sky with trumpets above my grave.

This is an example of…		Hyperbole	    /	   Understatement

I believe this because...

	

7.  There came a summer day that was entirely for me.

This is an example of…		Hyperbole	    /	   Understatement

I believe this because...

	

8.  My dog is big, so big indeed, when he drinks what he needs, the rivers of the Earth recede.

This is an example of…		Hyperbole	    /	   Understatement

I believe this because...

	

9.  The elderly woman who was thrown from the train was having a rough morning.

This is an example of…		Hyperbole	    /	   Understatement

I believe this because...

	

10.  Some folks might turn their noses up at old Buck, on account of all of those murders that he committed, but he's good people when it comes down to it.

This is an example of…		Hyperbole	    /	   Understatement

I believe this because...

	
11.  A billion balloons congratulating the graduates graduating, "We're glad you made it."

This is an example of…		Hyperbole	    /	   Understatement

I believe this because...

	

12.  My teacher assigned a thick homework packet, two book reports, and a 10-page research project, so I guess that I'm going to be a little busy this weekend.

This is an example of…		Hyperbole	    /	   Understatement

I believe this because...

	

13.  The next closest star to the Earth is a mere 4.22 light-years away.

This is an example of…		Hyperbole	    /	   Understatement

I believe this because...

	

14.  Cool, quiet, green stars. I will tear them out of the sky and squeeze them over an old silver cup for you.

This is an example of…		Hyperbole	    /	   Understatement

I believe this because...

	

15.  Kidnapping the bride at her wedding was a slight of breach of decorum.

This is an example of…		Hyperbole	    /	   Understatement

I believe this because...

	

16.  Her heart shook her body with its beats.

This is an example of…		Hyperbole	    /	   Understatement

I believe this because...

	

17.  As the large pack of snarling wolves advanced, Dakota John smirked at his partner Steve and said, "Aw, you're not afraid of a few puppies are you, Steve?"

This is an example of…		Hyperbole	    /	   Understatement

I believe this because...

	

18.  Let's just say that our son was not pleased to find his new Gamebox 4000 at the bottom of the swimming pool.

This is an example of…		Hyperbole	    /	   Understatement

I believe this because...

	

19.  Our ears are dead. We cannot catch the tune.

This is an example of…		Hyperbole	    /	   Understatement

I believe this because...

	

20.  The old man endlessly drank the foaming ale.

This is an example of…		Hyperbole	    /	   Understatement

I believe this because...