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Learn to decode similes, metaphors, personification, and more so you can ace ISEE reading passages.
Have you ever told a friend, "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse"? You didn't really mean you'd eat an actual horse. You were using figurative language — words that don't mean exactly what they say but paint a vivid picture. Writers have used this trick for thousands of years to make their ideas come alive.
Figurative language is the opposite of literal language (words that mean exactly what they say). When a passage says "The sun set at 7:15 p.m.," that's literal. When it says "The sun melted into the ocean like butter on a skillet," that's figurative. The ISEE will ask you to figure out what figurative expressions really mean.
So why does the ISEE test this? Because understanding figurative language shows that you can read between the lines. The test wants to know: can you figure out what an author really means, even when the words aren't meant to be taken literally?
There are several types of figurative language you'll encounter on the ISEE. You don't need to memorize fancy names — the test won't ask you to label a device. Instead, it will ask what the author means by a particular phrase. But knowing the types helps you recognize them quickly.
The diagram below shows how your brain should process figurative language on the ISEE. When you spot a phrase that seems strange or doesn't make literal sense, follow the three-step path to find its real meaning.
Notice how each example in the diagram follows the same pattern. First, you recognize the phrase sounds odd if you take it literally. Then you picture the comparison. Finally, you put the meaning into everyday language. That's exactly what the ISEE expects you to do.
Most figurative language works through comparison. The author takes something you already understand and connects it to something new. This helps you feel the meaning rather than just reading it. Let's look at how each type creates its effect.
| Type | How It Works | Signal Words / Clues | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simile | Compares two unlike things directly | "like," "as," "resembled" | "The lake was smooth as glass." |
| Metaphor | Says one thing IS another | No signal words — look for impossible statements | "Her voice was music." |
| Personification | Gives human actions to non-human things | Non-human subject + human verb (sang, cried, whispered) | "The thunder grumbled." |
| Hyperbole | Stretches the truth way beyond reality | Extreme words: "million," "forever," "never" | "This backpack weighs a ton." |
| Idiom | Fixed phrase with a non-literal meaning | Phrase makes no sense if read word-by-word | "Break a leg!" = Good luck |
Even if you've never seen a particular figurative expression before, the surrounding sentences will almost always give you clues. Read the sentence before and after the figurative phrase. Ask yourself: What is happening in the story? How is the character feeling? This context will point you to the right answer.
On the ISEE, you won't get a sentence by itself. You'll get a full passage — usually several paragraphs long. The figurative language will be tucked inside. The diagram below shows the different "clue zones" around a figurative phrase and how they help you figure out the meaning.
This strategy works even for phrases you've never seen before. You might not know what "butterflies in her stomach" means on its own. But when you read that Maria was nervous before and her fear disappeared after, you can figure out the phrase means she felt anxious or uneasy.
Let's walk through a complete ISEE-style question step by step. Read the short passage, then follow how we decode the figurative language.
Question: When the author writes that "doubt crept in like a shadow," the author most likely means that —
The ISEE test makers are clever. They include answer choices designed to trick students. Here are the most common traps with figurative language questions and how you can steer clear of them.
| Trap Type | What It Looks Like | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|---|
| The Literal Trap | An answer that takes the figurative phrase word-for-word. "Butterflies in her stomach" → answer says "She swallowed insects." | Ask: "Could this literally happen?" If the answer sounds silly, it's probably a trap. |
| The Too-Far Trap | An answer that goes way beyond what the passage says. "Fire in his eyes" → answer says "He wanted to burn down the school." | Stick to what the passage supports. The right answer should feel reasonable, not extreme. |
| The Wrong-Emotion Trap | An answer that names an emotion, but the wrong one. "A knot in his chest" → answer says "He felt excited and happy." | Check the tone of the surrounding sentences. Are they positive or negative? Match the emotion to the context. |
| The Off-Topic Trap | An answer that's true about the passage but doesn't explain the figurative phrase. Instead, it answers a different question. | Re-read the question carefully. Make sure your answer directly explains the phrase they asked about. |
On harder ISEE questions, figurative language connects to the author's tone (the author's attitude or feeling). The type of figurative language an author chooses tells you a lot about how they feel about their subject. For example, an author who describes a city as "a jewel sparkling in the valley" has a positive tone. An author who calls it "a concrete jungle" has a harsher tone.
| Figurative Phrase | Tone It Creates | What It Tells You |
|---|---|---|
| "The old house smiled at visitors." | Warm, welcoming | The author views the house fondly. |
| "The deadline hung over her like a storm cloud." | Anxious, threatening | The author wants you to feel the character's stress. |
| "The test was a piece of cake." | Casual, confident | The author (or character) found it very easy. |
| "The forest swallowed them whole." | Ominous, scary | The author wants to create a sense of danger. |
As you move to the Upper Level ISEE and beyond, you'll see even more complex figurative language, including symbolism (when an object represents something bigger, like a dove representing peace) and irony (when words mean the opposite of what they say). For now, mastering similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, and idioms will give you a strong foundation.
Now it's your turn! Use the 3-step process (Spot It → Picture It → Translate It) for each question. Read the passage excerpts carefully, and remember to check the context around each figurative phrase.
Figurative language uses creative expressions to go beyond the literal meaning of words. On the ISEE, you'll encounter five main types: similes (comparisons using "like" or "as"), metaphors (direct comparisons without "like" or "as"), personification (giving human traits to non-human things), hyperbole (extreme exaggeration), and idioms (common phrases with non-literal meanings).
Use the 3-step process every time: Spot It (notice the phrase sounds strange literally), Picture It (imagine the comparison), and Translate It (say the meaning in plain words). Always read the context clues in the sentences before and after the phrase. Watch out for literal traps — answer choices that match the words but miss the meaning. Translate first, then match your translation to the best answer. You've got this!