NCEA Level 2 English (Unfamiliar Texts) Practice Exam

The correct answer is hyperbole, which is a literary device that involves deliberate and extravagant exaggeration for emphasis or effect. In the example "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse," the statement is not meant to be taken literally; rather, it emphasizes the speaker's extreme hunger in a humorous and exaggerated way. This exaggeration helps the audience understand just how hungry the person feels, creating a vivid and relatable expression of emotion.

Imagery refers to the use of descriptive language that appeals to the senses, helping to create mental images rather than focusing on exaggerating a point. Metaphor involves making a direct comparison between two unrelated things, suggesting that one thing is another, rather than amplifying characteristics through exaggeration. Simile compares two different things using "like" or "as," which again does not involve the same level of exaggeration that hyperbole employs. These distinctions clarify why hyperbole is the fitting choice in this context.