Elephant in the room

High school (ages 12+)
Thinking & Learning

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/elephant-in-the-room

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the linguistic function?Metaphorical idiom used to describe an obvious, yet unaddressed, significant issue
2. What is the societal impact?Can hinder problem-solving, erode trust, and perpetuate unhealthy dynamics
3. What does the phrase "the elephant in the room" mean?It means a big problem or truth that everyone knows about but no one talks about.
4. Why do people choose not to talk about the elephant in the room?They might feel uncomfortable, fear arguing, or want to keep peace, so they ignore it.

Idiom: A phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the ordinary meanings of the words.
Metaphor: A figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'.
Social Repression: The collective, often unconscious, suppression of uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, or issues within a group or society.