These stimuli were used in the following experiment:
GERNSBACHER, M.A., KEYSAR, B., ROBERTSON, R. R. W., & WERNER, N.K. (2001). The role of suppression and enhancement in understanding metaphors. Journal of Memory and Language, 45, 433-450. [View PDF]
This is an experiment about how people comprehend sentences. This is NOT a test of your intelligence or personality. In this experiment, you will be asked to read and understand a list of sentences. For each sentence, you should decide whether or not the sentence makes sense. For example, the sentence, Journeys can be expensive and time consuming. makes sense. In contrast, the sentence, Journeys can be used to cook tuna casserole. does not make any sense.
After each sentence, you should respond by pressing the YES key if the sentence makes sense, or by pressing the NO key if the sentence does not make sense. So, you should press the YES key after sentences like Journeys can be expensive and time consuming. You should press the NO key after sentences like Journeys can be used to cook tuna casserole. Remember, we want you to make a judgment about whether the sentences make sense or not. In this experiment, many of the sentences are metaphorical.
A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word suggests a likeness or analogy between two things. For example, when we say, My mother says that my little brother is a pig. we do not mean that he is literally a pig, we mean that there are similarities between my little brother and a pig. Therefore, this sentence makes sense. When you read a sentence like this, you should press the YES key. On the contrary, a sentence like,
My mother says that my little brother is a desk. does not make sense, because there are no similarities between my little brother and a desk. They are not metaphorically related. So when you read a sentence like this, you should press the NO key.
Let’s go through a few more examples.
When interrogated by the police, the thief was a clam.
For the sentence: When interrogated by the police, the thief was a clam.
You should have pressed the “yes” key to indicate this sentence made sense because clam is metaphorically related to how a thief might act when he/she is being interrogated. You can imagine that a thief would not talk and act closed up like a clam.
The clown was a candle.
For the sentence: The clown was a candle. You should have pressed the “no” key because this sentence does not make sense. There is not even a metaphorical relation between clown and candle.
My son is a toddler.
For that sentence: My son is a toddler. You should have pressed the “yes” key to indicate this sentence made sense. It is not a metaphor but the sentence does make sense.
Now we are going to try some practice sentences so you can get a better idea of what the task is. After each practice sentence, you will see whether you were CORRECT or WRONG. You will see NO ANSWER if you do not press a key within five seconds. This feedback is only to help you during the practice sentences. In the actual experiment, you will not be told whether you were correct or wrong, but the computer will know.
Practice Sentences:
That puddle in the street was a mango.
Mangos are found in tropics.
A vacation is a journey.
Journeys take you somewhere.
That two story house is a pinking shear.
Pinking shears are used to walk on grass.
Hope is the light at the end of a tunnel.
Tunnels give great speeches at banquets.
Death is the period at the end of a sentence.
A period signals closure.
The sugar in the jar is a theater.
Theaters are eaten with ketchup and mustard.
An envelope is a bracelet.
Bracelets are round and decorative.
The dust in her apartment is a blanket.
Blankets are a common ingredient in salads.
Now we are ready to begin the experiment. Since we are timing your responses, please try to respond as quickly as possible. However, do not respond so quickly that you make errors. Remember, if you haven’t responded in five seconds, the next sentence will automatically appear.
Also, during this task, please use the hand that you normally write with to press the keys.
If you have any questions please feel free to ask the experimenter now. If you do not have any questions and you would like to continue with this experiment, please sign and date the informed consent form.
EXPERIMENTALS
(48 YES-YES)
Met=Metaphor
Lit=Literal
Rel=Related Fact
Un=Unrelated Fact
1) Met: My mother says that birds are airplanes.
Rel: Airplanes have wings.
Met: My mother says that birds are airplanes.
Un: Airplanes have engines.
Lit: My mother says that 747s are airplanes.
Rel: Airplanes have wings.
Lit: My mother says that 747s are airplanes.
Un: Airplanes have engines.
2) Met: That tiny mosquito was a vampire.
Rel: Vampires suck blood.
Met: That tiny mosquito was a vampire.
Un: Vampires wear black.
Lit: That Romanian count was a vampire.
Rel: Vampires suck blood.
Lit: That Romanian count was a vampire.
Un: Vampires wear black.
3) Met: The lawyer for the defense is a shark.
Rel: Sharks are tenacious.
Met: The lawyer for the defense is a shark.
Un: Sharks are good swimmers.
Lit: The large hammerhead is a shark.
Rel: Sharks are tenacious.
Lit: The large hammerhead is a shark.
Un: Sharks are good swimmers.
4) Met: The bad news was an earthquake.
Rel: Earthquakes upset people.
Met: The bad news was an earthquake.
Un: Earthquakes shake buildings.
Lit: The natural disaster was an earthquake.
Rel: Earthquakes upset people.
Lit: The natural disaster was an earthquake.
Un: Earthquakes shake buildings.
5) Met: My sister says that happiness is gold.
Rel: Gold is worth a lot.
Met: My sister says that happiness is gold.
Un: Gold is yellow.
Lit: My sister says that ring is gold.
Rel: Gold is worth a lot.
Lit: My sister says that ring is gold.
Un: Gold is yellow.
6) Met: That criminal’s fingerprint is a portrait.
Rel: Portraits are a way to identify a person.
Met: That criminal’s fingerprint is a portrait.
Un: Portraits of famous people hang in galleries.
Lit: That lost painting is a portrait.
Rel: Portraits are a way to identify a person.
Lit: That lost painting is a portrait.
Un: Portraits of famous people hang in galleries.
7) Met: That new boss is a breath of fresh air.
Rel: A breath of fresh air can be rejuvenating.
Met: That new boss is a breath of fresh air.
Un: A breath of fresh air comes from the outdoors.
Lit: That spring breeze is a breath of fresh air.
Rel: A breath of fresh air can be rejuvenating.
Lit: That spring breeze is a breath of fresh air.
Un: A breath of fresh air comes from the outdoors.
8) Met: His late afternoon hunger is a lion.
Rel: Lions can be overpowering.
Met: His late afternoon hunger is a lion.
Un: Lions have big, hairy manes.
Lit: His favorite circus animal is a lion.
Rel: Lions can be overpowering.
Lit: His favorite circus animal is a lion.
Un: Lions have big, hairy manes.
9) Met: Her eyelids when she sleeps are window shades.
Rel: Window shades block light.
Met: Her eyelids when she sleeps are window shades.
Un: Window shades cover glass.
Lit: The pull-down screens are window shades.
Rel: Window shades block light.
Lit: The pull-down screens are window shades.
Un: Window shades cover glass.
10) Met: Confetti at weddings is a fireworks display.
Rel: Fireworks are colorful and celebratory.
Met: Confetti at weddings is a fireworks display.
Un: Fireworks require ignition.
Lit: Entertainment on the Fourth of July is a fireworks display.
Rel: Fireworks are colorful and celebratory.
Lit: Entertainment on Fourth of July is a fireworks display.
Un: Fireworks require ignition.
11) Met: The lightning which struck down the old oak tree was a knife.
Rel: Knives can be dangerous.
Met: The lightning which struck down the old oak tree was a knife.
Un: Knives can spread butter.
Lit: The priceless piece of silverware on the dining room table is a knife.
Rel: Knives can be dangerous.
Lit: The priceless piece of silverware on the dining room table is a knife.
Un: Knives can spread butter.
12) Met: That woman at the payroll desk is a crab.
Rel: Crabs snap at people for no reason.
Met: That woman at the payroll desk is a crab.
Un: Crabs live in the sea.
Lit: That creature caught in the net is a crab.
Rel: Crabs snap at people for no reason.
Lit: That creature caught in the net is a crab.
Un: Crabs live in the sea.
13) Met: My uncle’s surgeon is a butcher.
Rel: Butchers use knives.
Met: My uncle’s surgeon is a butcher.
Un: Butchers sell meat.
Lit: My father’s brother is a butcher.
Rel: Butchers use knives.
Lit: My father’s brother is a butcher.
Un: Butchers sell meat.
14) Met: My brother says that soothing music is medicine.
Rel: Medicine makes people feel better.
Met: My brother says that soothing music is medicine.
Un: Medicine is often prescribed by doctors.
Lit: My brother says that penicillin is medicine.
Rel: Medicine makes people feel better.
Lit: My brother says that penicillin is medicine.
Un: Medicine is often prescribed by doctors.
15) Met: My daughter’s smile is sunshine.
Rel: Sunshine makes people happy.
Met: My daughter’s smile is sunshine.
Un: Sunshine can cause sunburns.
Lit: The light coming through the window is sunshine.
Rel: Sunshine makes people happy.
Lit: The light coming through the window is sunshine.
Un: Sunshine can cause sunburns.
16) Met: When waiting for someone, time is a snail.
Rel: Snails move slowly.
Met: When waiting for someone, time is a snail.
Un: Snails are animals that live in a shell.
Lit: Out in the garden a likely pest is a snail.
Rel: Snails move slowly.
Lit: Out in the garden a likely pest is a snail.
Un: Snails are animals that live in a shell.
17) Met: That fashion model is a rail.
Rel: Rails are thin.
Met: That fashion model is a rail.
Un: Rails are made of metal.
Lit: That part of the track is a rail.
Rel: Rails are thin.
Lit: That part of the track is a rail.
Un: Rails are made of metal.
18) Met: In the winter, my studio is a refrigerator.
Rel: Refrigerators are cold.
Met: In the winter, my studio is a refrigerator.
Un: Refrigerators are appliances.
Lit: In the duplex, the only thing is a refrigerator.
Rel: Refrigerators are cold.
Lit: In the duplex, the only thing is a refrigerator.
Un: Refrigerators are appliances.
19) Met: My boyfriend’s arms are steel.
Rel: Steel is strong.
Met: My boyfriend’s arms are steel.
Un: Steel is used in construction.
Lit: My ice skate blades are steel.
Rel: Steel is strong.
Lit: My ice skate blades are steel.
Un: Steel is used in construction.
20) Met: My cat’s fur is silk.
Rel: Silk is soft.
Met: My cat’s fur is silk.
Un: Silk is a material.
Lit: My new scarf is silk.
Rel: Silk is soft.
Lit: My new scarf is silk.
Un: Silk is a material.
21) Met: That pregnant woman is a duck.
Rel: Ducks waddle when walking.
Met: That pregnant woman is a duck.
Un: Ducks have feathers.
Lit: That flying bird is a duck.
Rel: Ducks waddle when walking.
Lit: That flying bird is a duck.
Un: Ducks have feathers.
22) Met: Her mother is a mule.
Rel: Mules are very stubborn.
Met: Her mother is a mule.
Un: Mules have four legs.
Lit: Her pack animal is a mule.
Rel: Mules are very stubborn.
Lit: Her pack animal is a mule.
Un: Mules have four legs.
23) Met: The boy in the corner of the room is a mouse.
Rel: A mouse is very quiet.
Met: The boy in the corner of the room is a mouse.
Un: A mouse is a rodent.
Lit: The animal in the corner of the basement is a mouse.
Rel: A mouse is very quiet.
Lit: The animal in the corner of the basement is a mouse.
Un: A mouse is a rodent.
24) Met: The tiny mountain lake is a mirror.
Rel: Mirrors are reflective.
Met: The tiny mountain lake is a mirror.
Un: Mirrors break easily.
Lit: The front of the medicine cabinet is a mirror.
Rel: Mirrors are reflective.
Lit: The front of the medicine cabinet is a mirror.
Un: Mirrors break easily.
25) Met: My history teacher is an encyclopedia.
Rel: Encyclopedias contain a lot of information.
Met: My history teacher is an encyclopedia.
Un: Encyclopedias are alphabetized.
Lit: My favorite reference is an encyclopedia.
Rel: Encyclopedias contain a lot of information.
Lit: My favorite reference is an encyclopedia.
Un: Encyclopedias are alphabetized.
26) Met: That baby monkey is a vine.
Rel: Vines cling to things.
Met: That baby monkey is a vine.
Un: Vines are plants.
Lit: That poison ivy is a vine.
Rel: Vines cling to things.
Lit: That poison ivy is a vine.
Un: Vines are plants.
27) Met: The cheering crowd was thunder.
Rel: Thunder is loud.
Met: The cheering crowd was thunder.
Un: Thunder accompanies storms.
Lit: The sudden noise was thunder.
Rel: Thunder is loud.
Lit: The sudden noise was thunder.
Un: Thunder accompanies storms.
28) Met: His marriage was a short leash.
Rel: Leashes are restraining.
Met: His marriage was a short leash.
Un: Leashes are used for dogs.
Lit: His recommendation for dog training was a short leash.
Rel: Leashes are restraining.
Lit: His recommendation for dog training was a short leash.
Un: Leashes are used for dogs.
29) Met: When she is upset, her voice is a siren.
Rel: Sirens whine and wail.
Met: When she is upset, her voice is a siren.
Un: Sirens are found on fire trucks.
Lit: When there is a tornado, the warning is a siren.
Rel: Sirens whine and wail.
Lit: When there is a tornado, the warning is a siren.
Un: Sirens are found on fire trucks.
30) Met: The senator is a fossil.
Rel: Fossils are old.
Met: The senator is a fossil.
Un: Fossils are dug up by scientists.
Lit: The museum exhibit is a fossil.
Rel: Fossils are old.
Lit: The museum exhibit is a fossil.
Un: Fossils are dug up by scientists.
31) Met: That seventh-grader’s brain is a computer.
Rel: Computers calculate very quickly.
Met: That seventh-grader’s brain is a computer.
Un: Computers are high tech machines.
Lit: That seventh-grader’s birthday present is a computer.
Rel: Computers calculate very quickly.
Lit: That seventh-grader’s birthday present is a computer.
Un: Computers are high tech machines.
32) Met: The twelve speed bicycle was a rocket.
Rel: Rockets go very fast.
Met: The twelve speed bicycle was a rocket.
Un: Rockets need a lot of fuel.
Lit: The NASA project was a rocket.
Rel: Rockets go very fast.
Lit: The NASA project was a rocket.
Un: Rockets need a lot of fuel.
33) Met: My husband’s unshaven face is sandpaper.
Rel: Sandpaper is rough and coarse.
Met: My husband’s unshaven face is sandpaper.
Un: Sandpaper smoothes surfaces.
Lit: My husband’s all-purpose tool is sandpaper.
Rel: Sandpaper is rough and coarse.
Lit: My husband’s all-purpose tool is sandpaper.
Un: Sandpaper smoothes surfaces.
34) Met: Jalapeño peppers are fire.
Rel: Fire is very hot.
Met: Jalapeño peppers are fire.
Un: Fire requires oxygen.
Lit: Gas burners are fire.
Rel: Fire is very hot.
Lit: Gas burners are fire.
Un: Fire requires oxygen.
35) Met: That baby’s cheeks are roses.
Rel: Roses are often red.
Met: That baby’s cheeks are roses.
Un: Roses have thorns.
Lit: Those pretty flowers are roses.
Rel: Roses are often red.
Lit: Those pretty flowers are roses.
Un: Roses have thorns.
36) Met: My young cousin is a shrimp.
Rel: Shrimp are very small.
Met: My young cousin is a shrimp.
Un: Shrimp are ocean dwellers.
Lit: My favorite seafood is shrimp.
Rel: Shrimp are very small.
Lit: My favorite seafood is shrimp.
Un: Shrimp are ocean dwellers.
37) Met: Her husband is a gem.
Rel: Gems are precious.
Met: Her husband is a gem.
Un: Gems are stones.
Lit: Her emerald is a gem.
Rel: Gems are precious.
Lit: Her emerald is a gem.
Un: Gems are stones.
38) Met: His old car is a boat.
Rel: Boats are large.
Met: His old car is a boat.
Un: Boats float in the water.
Lit: His weekend toy is a boat.
Rel: Boats are large.
Lit: His weekend toy is a boat.
Un: Boats float in the water.
39) Met: The planet Earth is a ball.
Rel: Balls are round.
Met: The planet Earth is a ball.
Un: Balls are toys.
Lit: The piece of missing equipment is a ball.
Rel: Balls are round.
Lit: The piece of missing equipment is a ball.
Un: Balls are toys.
40) Met: In old age, her memory was a sieve.
Rel: Sieves have holes.
Met: In old age, her memory was a sieve.
Un: Sieves separate particles.
Lit: In the kitchen, a handy gadget is a sieve.
Rel: Sieves have holes.
Lit: In the kitchen, a handy gadget is a sieve.
Un: Sieves separate particles.
41) Met: My grandmother is a peach.
Rel: Peaches are sweet.
Met: My grandmother is a peach.
Un: Peaches grow on trees.
Lit: My dessert is a peach.
Rel: Peaches are sweet.
Lit: My dessert is a peach.
Un: Peaches grow on trees.
42) Met: The Great Plains are a board.
Rel: Boards are flat.
Met: The Great Plains are a board.
Un: Boards are made of wood.
Lit: The obstruction in the road is a board.
Rel: Boards are flat.
Lit: The obstruction in the road is a board.
Un: Boards are made of wood.
43) Met: Her unflinching gaze is ice.
Rel: Ice is cold.
Met: Her unflinching gaze is ice.
Un: Ice is slippery.
Lit: Her shiny sculpture is ice.
Rel: Ice is cold.
Lit: Her shiny sculpture is ice.
Un: Ice is slippery.
44) Met: That man plowing the field is a horse.
Rel: Horses are strong.
Met: That man plowing the field is a horse.
Un: Horses eat hay.
Lit: That animal in the show is a horse.
Rel: Horses are strong.
Lit: That animal in the show is a horse.
Un: Horses eat hay.
45) Met: Her final exam in Geography was a bear.
Rel: Bears are tough.
Met: Her final exam in Geography was a bear.
Un: Bears are large mammals.
Lit: Her grizzly in the cage was a bear.
Rel: Bears are tough.
Lit: Her grizzly in the cage was a bear.
Un: Bears are large mammals.
46) Met: His kindergarten class is a zoo.
Rel: Zoos are noisy and messy.
Met: His kindergarten class is a zoo.
Un: Zoos are expensive to maintain.
Lit: His animal reserve is a zoo.
Rel: Zoos are noisy and messy.
Lit: His animal reserve is a zoo.
Un: Zoos are expensive to maintain.
47) Met: My poetry course is a joke.
Rel: Jokes are not taken seriously.
Met: My poetry course is a joke.
Un: Jokes are told by comedians.
Lit: My funny story is a joke.
Rel: Jokes are not taken seriously.
Lit: My funny story is a joke.
Un: Jokes are told by comedians.
48 ) Met: That bedroom is a dump.
Rel: Dumps are full of junk.
Met: That bedroom is a dump.
Un: Dumps are located outside.
Lit: That landfill is a dump.
Rel: Dumps are full of junk.
Lit: That landfill is a dump.
Un: Dumps are located outside.
FILLERS
(48 No-No Fillers)
1. Her sink in the bathroom is a bulb.
Bulbs are only found in bath tubs.
2. The money in her wallet is an avalanche.
Avalanches are made by practicing.
3. The sheep in the barn was a knob.
Knobs are popular items to spell.
4. Computer disks are needed for hunting animals.
Hunting animals involves making tidal waves.
5. My radiologist in the clinic is a pineapple.
Pineapples are a way to clean your linen.
6. At the party, his squid was a paper towel.
Paper towels used to make clothesline.
7. The schoolgirl’s homework is a banana.
Banana splits are always placed in coffee cups.
8. My mother’s home-made pizza is a couch.
Couches can be seen driving on the highway.
9. The rolodex in her office is a pot hole.
Pot holes are made by washing machines.
10. That woman’s foot was a Twinkie.
Twinkies are decorations for car trunks.
11. That photograph of our family is a nurse.
Nurses gives aspirins to watermelons.
12. People in a crowd are newspapers.
Newspapers are found in people’s ears.
13. Vegetables at the market are night lights.
Night lights help people go to the moon.
14. Her portable phone is a Ferris wheel.
Ferris wheels show people how to panhandle.
15. Her mouth is a box of stationery.
Stationery can be used to give birth to
diplomats.
16. The child’s begging is a cup of mud.
Mud helps shuffle papers together.
17. Her basketball is a toll booth.
Toll booths distribute hamburgers.
18. The majorette’s skill is a dandelion.
Dandelions are sources of confusion and delay.
19. My little brother’s friend is a chocolate chip.
Chocolate chips are used to tell time.
20. Her forty-first birthday was a gum wrapper.
Gum wrappers are the best places to roller skate.
21. The alumnus was a small white rabbit.
Rabbits meet journalists in their houses.
22. That professor was a blue canoe.
Canoes are found in acorns in the jungle.
23. Her amiable manner was a bagel.
Bagels burrow into the earth.
24. The man’s singing was an apartment.
Apartments pity the angry fellow.
25. Her tuna fish sandwich was a trombone.
Trombones are made from parachutes.
26. Boiling water in the kettle is a diaper.
Diapers go on fishing trips.
27. That hymn is a turnip.
Turnips have four arms.
28. That bluebird on the post was an editor.
Editors are built by carpenters.
29. His toaster is a sunset.
Sunsets build nests in fall.
30. The wrinkle on her hand is a casserole.
Casseroles make lemon pies.
31. Her squash was a drill.
Drills record jingles for commercials.
32. When she played the organ, the woman was a salad.
Salads barbecue pork chops for dinner.
33. Waves in the ocean are a banjo.
Banjos need suntan lotion.
34. His broken toe was an iron.
Irons make change at restaurants.
35. My 3-D poster was a stick.
Sticks come when you call them.
36. That child’s bed was a manicure.
Manicures hide in forests.
37. That card game was a picket fence.
Fences are made of lime jello.
38. The cash register was an army captain.
Captains need oil changes.
39. When she unfolded it, the map was a chicken.
Chickens are good astronauts.
40. That glass case is a prune.
Prunes milk cows.
41. Her math homework is a thumbtack.
Thumbtacks are used for entertaining.
42. His new zip code is an olive.
Olives pretend to be magicians.
43. That man’s babbling was a rib.
Ribs take naps in the afternoons.
44. The newly decorated lobby is a belt.
Belts make sketches of the scenery.
45. His bass drum was a key.
Keys polish silverware.
46. That concert is a gear.
Gears get rashes in the summer.
47. Her blue balloon was a pumpkin.
Pumpkins find lost children at parties.
48. That library card is a lamb.
Lambs throw peanuts at elephants.
48 Yes-No Fillers:
24 Yes-No Metaphorical
1. My father’s dead-end job is a jail.
Jails are used for shopping for the holidays.
2. My first true love was a shy blossom.
Blossoms are sixty years old.
3. The youngster’s incessant crying was a squeaky violin.
Violins can throw footballs.
4. That woman’s straw hat is a roof.
A roof is where the hospital is.
5. Responsibility is a shackle.
Shackles are angry people.
6. Her childhood was a bowl of cherries.
Cherries have fun running marathons.
7. The agile burglar was a cat.
Cats are very likely to shop for dresses.
8. My Irish friend’s hair is a flame.
Flames can cool people off.
9. That four hour opera was a sedative.
Sedatives need to be moved frequently.
10. My friend’s wardrobe is a box of crayons.
Crayons are often eaten for lunch.
11. That little girl’s excited face is the sun.
The sun is a popular vacation spot.
12. When you are young, days are sand through the hourglass.
Hourglasses are used to store hampers.
13. His over-worked father is a machine.
Machines drive lasagna dinners.
14. His kindhearted girlfriend is an angel.
Angels are made of car windows.
15. That young woman’s lovely voice is a song.
Songs can be found inside a fork.
16. A summer sunrise is heaven.
Heaven is where one buys coffee grinders.
17. Her soft comfortable mattress is a cotton ball.
Cotton balls can be used to walk an iguana.
18. My teen-aged friend’s make-up is war paint.
Paint helps in thunderstorms.
19. That man’s life is a movie.
Movies are fun to take to the barnyard.
20. For a young couple, wedding vows are a staple.
Staples hold fingernails together.
21. My aunt’s health problems are a time bomb.
Bombs are special anniversary gifts.
22. The papers all over the secretary’s desk are a flood.
Floods always annoy pot roasts.
23. Her lawsuit is a gold mine.
Gold mines are places to find farm animals.
24. The way my three-year-old grandson stumbles around is a dance.
Dances are fun to throw at students.
24 Yes-No Literal
1. That paper is a certificate.
Certificates are used to bake cookies.
2. That tool on the counter is a screwdriver.
Screwdrivers drink lemonade.
3. His watch is an antique.
Antiques are elected to office.
4. Her coat is a parka.
Parkas run red lights.
5. The poem was a sonnet.
Sonnets are animals.
6. When they are young, dogs are puppies.
Puppies make good school administrators.
7. His new pen was a magic marker.
Magic markers are food for rabbits.
8. That bird on the sand is a seagull.
Seagulls often fly to Saudi Arabia.
9. Her shoes were sandals.
Sandals make potpourri in a spare minute.
10. The well-known musician was a guitarist.
Guitarists are a tax on clothing.
11. That little girl’s hat is a bonnet.
Bonnets hold sailors during battles.
12. My sister’s apartment is an efficiency.
Efficiencies press elevator buttons.
13. My father is a preacher.
Preachers are used to scale walls.
14. The outfit she bought was a suit.
Suits go to Hawaii every Sunday.
15. The main course was a roast.
Roasts frequently stick to airplanes.
16. That beautiful bush in our front yard was a lilac.
Lilacs wear costly jewelry.
17. That old house was a historical landmark.
Historical landmarks go jogging in the park.
18. The cheese on the pizza was mozzarella.
Mozzarella cuts fabric.
19. His disturbing haircut was a mohawk.
Mohawks come in kleenex boxes.
20. The major she chose was Biology.
Biology does makeovers at the mall.
21. His jacket was corduroy.
Corduroy swims in the lake.
22. The sport that he played was baseball.
Baseball sends gifts to cranberries.
23. That person at the door was the delivery boy.
Delivery boys hold water fountains together.
24. The lock on his apartment door was a deadbolt.
Deadbolts can melt ice cream.
48 NO-YES FILLERS
1. His magic trick was a shoestring.
Shoestrings can be bought at drugstores.
2. That apple was a tennis player.
Tennis players need rackets.
3. Her cauliflower was a consultant.
Consultants are paid a lot of money.
4. The squirrel in the yard is a mathematician.
Mathematicians are intelligent.
5. Her trained pet is a lampshade.
Lampshades are found in living rooms.
6. His rich clothes are a car.
Cars run on gasoline.
7. The punctuation mark on the page was a ruby.
Rubies are red.
8. That frosted cupcake is a treehouse.
Treehouses are built for children.
9. Her English notebook is a cliff.
Cliffs are very steep.
10. My friend says that rocks are German shepherds.
German shepherds are a type of dog.
11. My co-worker said the taco he had for lunch was a blizzard.
Blizzards often occur in winter.
12. His left thumb is a dollar.
Dollars are money.
13. At the grocery store, shelves are blueberries.
Blueberries are a kind of fruit.
14. My old grandfather clock is a turntable.
Turntables are used to play records.
15. My cereal bowl is a pitchfork.
Pitchforks are found on farms.
16. That children’s fairy tale is a salami sandwich.
Sandwiches are made with bread.
17. The basement door is a sermon.
Sermons are heard at church.
18. That beer bottle is a quail.
Quail are birds.
19. My cork collection is a bus.
Buses are used to travel.
20. His short story was a fanatic.
Fanatics are people.
21. Popcorn sold at the theater is a Disney cartoon.
Cartoons are on television.
22. The rocking chair was a desert.
Deserts are dry and dusty.
23. My black coffee was a dictionary.
Dictionaries define words.
24. That fraternity member is a stapler.
Staplers fasten papers together.
25. Her smelly socks are chocolate.
Chocolate is used to make candy.
26. My measuring cup in the drawer was a tiger.
Tigers have stripes.
27. His helicopter was a paper towel.
Paper towels clean up messes.
28. That popsicle is a ship.
Ships carry cargo.
29. That masking tape on the floor is a garbage can.
Garbage cans are full of trash.
30. My neighbor’s Volvo in the driveway is bleach.
Bleach makes clothes white.
31. That moving escalator was a play.
Plays are produced in theaters.
32. My new telephone number is a baker.
Bakers make bread.
33. The dishwashing liquid was a hammer.
Hammers are tools.
34. The salt shaker was a chipmunk.
Chipmunks are small creatures.
35. That day planner is a cucumber.
Cucumbers are used in salads.
36. Her milkshake in the blender was a redwood.
Redwoods grow in California.
37. Her scissors were earmuffs.
Earmuffs keep your ears warm.
38. The skating rink was a bar mitzvah.
Bar mitzvahs are ceremonies.
39. The marble statue was a paper clip.
Paper clips are office supplies.
40. His tractor was a television set.
Television sets have screens.
41. That cow was a poker game.
Poker games require cards.
42. The pool table was a contract.
Contracts are legal documents.
43. Her work schedule was a donut.
Donuts are good in the morning.
44. Chinese food is a carpet.
Carpets cover floors.
45. Her boat’s colorful sail was a lecture.
Lectures are attended by students.
46. The friendly kitten is a cannonball.
Cannonballs are old weapons.
47. That soldier’s salute was a barrette.
Barrettes are worn in hair.
48. The water in the glass is a comma.
Commas are a type of punctuation.