New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What literary device involves exaggerated statements that should not be taken literally?

1. Personification

2. Hyperbole

3. Simile

4. Metaphor

The correct answer is: Hyperbole

Hyperbole is a literary device that employs extreme exaggeration to make a point or create a dramatic effect. This means that the statements made using hyperbole are not meant to be taken literally; rather, they emphasize the intensity or magnitude of the speaker's feelings or observations. For example, saying “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse” illustrates a feeling of extreme hunger but is not meant to imply that the person would literally consume an entire horse. Recognizing hyperbole allows readers to appreciate the humor or emphasis in the language, enhancing their understanding of the tone and intent behind the statements made by the speaker or writer. Understanding this device opens up deeper interpretations of various texts, as it often reveals character emotions and exaggerations that contribute to humor, drama, or tension in narratives and poetry.