Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Hyperbole is a figure of speech that involves exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally. This literary device is often employed to create a strong effect or to emphasize a particular point. When hyperbole is used, it can evoke amusement or humor through its exaggeration, as the extreme nature of the claims prompts a reaction from the audience.

For example, if someone says, "I’m so hungry I could eat a horse," the exaggeration underscores the speaker's strong feelings of hunger in a humorous way. This amplifies the emotional experience and can create a relatable moment for the reader or listener, inviting them to respond with amusement.

The other options do not align with the nature of hyperbole. Subtlety and quietness would contrast with the loud and obvious nature of exaggerated statements. Confusion and ambiguity might arise from less clear figurative language, but hyperbole tends to be direct and clear in its intent to exaggerate. Lastly, factual accuracy is not a characteristic of hyperbole, as it deliberately distorts facts for effect. Thus, option B is the appropriate choice, as it captures the essence of how hyperbole functions in literature.