Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature Practice Exam

Which term refers to an exaggerated way of expressing something?

1. Hyperbole

2. Metonymy

3. Iambic

4. Imagery

The correct answer is: Hyperbole

The term "hyperbole" is indeed the correct choice because it specifically denotes the use of exaggerated statements or claims that are not meant to be taken literally. In literature and everyday speech, hyperbole is often employed for emphasis or to create a vivid impression. For example, if someone says, "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse," they don't literally mean that they would consume an entire horse; instead, they are using hyperbole to stress just how hungry they feel. In contrast, metonymy refers to substituting the name of one thing with the name of something closely associated with it, such as saying "the White House announced" instead of "the President announced." Iambic refers to a specific rhythmic pattern in poetry, often seen in iambic pentameter, and it does not relate to exaggeration. Imagery involves language that appeals to the senses, creating mental pictures for the reader, rather than focusing on exaggeration. Thus, hyperbole is clearly the term that encapsulates the idea of exaggeration in expression.