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Hyperbole and Understatement Worksheets

Hyperbole and understatement are related figurative language techniques. The speaker exaggerates when using hyperbole, adding intensity for effect. With understatement, the speaker downplays or uses statements that are too weak to accurately describe reality. Since these techniques are so similar, students are often confused by them. That's why I created the activities on this page.

This page features four hyperbole and understatement worksheets. They are available in a variety of formats. You can download the PDF files to print them exactly as I formatted them. Or, you can download the RTF file if you want to make some changes before you use these worksheets in your classroom. Lastly, these activities can be completed in the Ereading Worksheets format. Those are online activities that can be completed on any modern device: phone, tablet, or desktop computer. Results can be printed, saved, emailed, and even shared to FaceBook. Students answer multiple choice questions and explain their answers. You're going to love these activities.

Hyperbole and Understatement Worksheet 1
This worksheet has twenty examples of hyperbole and understatement. Students read each example, determine whether it is an example of hyperbole or understatement. Then they explain their answers. This is a great activity to help your students better understand figurative language.
This is a preview image of Hyperbole and Understatement Worksheet 1. Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
Hyperbole and Understatement Worksheet 2
Here's another 20 examples of hyperbole and understatement. Students read the examples, identify which technique is being used, and then explain their answers. This is a great review activity for your figurative language unit.
This is a preview image of Hyperbole and Understatement Worksheet 2. Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
Hyperbole and Understatement Worksheet 3
Your students will cheer when you deliver another 20 hyperbole and understatement examples to them. Their hearts will pound with excitement as they figure out these figurative language techniques. They will beam with joy when they explain their answers using complete sentences. Ok, perhaps I'm being a bit hyperbolic, but isn't this the appropriate place for it?
This is a preview image of Hyperbole and Understatement Worksheet 3. Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
Hyperbole and Understatement Worksheet 4
Just in case you need a little bit more practice with hyperbole and understatement, I produced this worksheet as well. As with the others on this page, this worksheets contains 20 examples of hyperbole and understatement. Again, students will read the examples, circle their answers, and then explain their responses. This is a great way to help students master hyperbole and understatement.
This is a preview image of Hyperbole and Understatement Worksheet 4. Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.

I hope that these hyperbole and understatement worksheets help students master these tricky figurative language techniques. Feel free to post comments or questions below and I will respond to them as quickly as I can. Sometimes that takes a while. You may find the resources linked below to be useful as well if you are doing a figurative language unit.

Figurative Language
Common Core State Standards

Figurative Language Anchor Standards
R.4 - Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

RL.2.4 - Describe how words and phrases (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song.
RL.3.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.
RL.4.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean).
RL.5.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.
RL.6.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.
RL.7.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
RL.8.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
RL.9-10.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone).
RL.11-12.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful. (Include Shakespeare as well as other authors.)
Click to VIEW Grade Level Standards for R.4
L.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

L.3.5a - Distinguish the literal and nonliteral meanings of words and phrases in context (e.g., take steps).
L.4.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.4.5a - Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context.
L.5.5a - Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.
L.6.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.6.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g., personification) in context.
L.7.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.7.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g., literary, biblical, and mythological allusions) in context.
L.8.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.8.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g. verbal irony, puns) in context.
L.9-10.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.11-12.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.11-12.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g., hyperbole, paradox) in context and analyze their role in the text.
Click to VIEW Grade Level Standards for L.5
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1 Comment

  1. Bijal

     /  July 14, 2022

    Thank you so much. Resources are so well explained and organized.

    Reply

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