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Year 7 English — Simile, metaphor and personification

Tell a simile, a metaphor and personification apart, and explain what each one means.

Name: ________________________

  1. 1.Sort each sentence by the figure of speech it uses.

    Groups: Simile · Metaphor · Personification

    • Her voice was as sweet as honey.
    • The classroom was a zoo.
    • Time is a thief.
    • He ran like the wind.
    • The wind whispered through the trees.
    • The old gate groaned in the night.

  2. 2."The exam was a mountain to climb." What does this mean?

    • a) The exam was easy.
    • b) The exam was about mountains.
    • c) The exam was held on a hill.
    • d) The exam was long and difficult.

  3. 3.Which of these is NOT a simile?

    • a) as sharp as a needle
    • b) like a shadow
    • c) as white as snow
    • d) a heart of stone

  4. 4.Complete the simile with the animal it usually names: as stubborn as a ____.

  5. 5.Which sentence is a metaphor?

    • a) My brother is as tall as a door.
    • b) My brother is a giant.
    • c) My brother grew very quickly.
    • d) My brother walked through the door.

  6. 6.Which sentence uses personification?

    • a) The fire burned all night.
    • b) The fire was like a red flower.
    • c) The fire was very hot.
    • d) The fire danced in the grate.

  7. 7.What figure of speech is "as brave as a lion"? Write one word.

  8. 8.Sort each phrase by how it makes its comparison.

    Groups: Compares using "like" or "as" · Compares by saying one thing IS another

    • as light as air
    • as cold as ice
    • her smile is sunshine
    • the world is a stage
    • like a bolt of lightning
    • a sea of troubles

Answer key — Year 7 English — Simile, metaphor and personification

  1. 1. Her voice was as sweet as honey. → Simile; Time is a thief. → Metaphor; The wind whispered through the trees. → Personification; He ran like the wind. → Simile; The classroom was a zoo. → Metaphor; The old gate groaned in the night. → Personification
  2. 2. d) The exam was long and difficult.
  3. 3. d) a heart of stone
  4. 4.
    • mule
    • donkey
  5. 5. b) My brother is a giant.
  6. 6. d) The fire danced in the grate.
  7. 7. simile
  8. 8. as cold as ice → Compares using "like" or "as"; a sea of troubles → Compares by saying one thing IS another; like a bolt of lightning → Compares using "like" or "as"; the world is a stage → Compares by saying one thing IS another; as light as air → Compares using "like" or "as"; her smile is sunshine → Compares by saying one thing IS another