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FIGURATIVE LANGUAGESIMILES AND METAPHORS
SIMILES AND METAPHORS
Both similes and metaphors are examples of figurative language. They both compare 2 unlike things
or objects.BUT
Similes use “like” or “as” in the comparison.
Let’s start with similes.
What two things am I comparing in this sentence? (Don’t write anything yet.)1. Playing chess with Armando is like
trying to outsmart a computer. Armando is compared to a computer.
Now, what is the sentence comparing?
1.Temper is compared to a volcano.
1.His temper was as explosive as a volcano.
So, what do those similes mean?
1. Playing chess with Armando is like trying to outsmart a computer.
That means that Armando is so smart, he is hard to beat.
2. His temper was as explosive as a volcano.
That means he gets so angry that he may explode at any minute.
Now you try!Number your paper from 1-4. Label these sentences SIMILES.
First, write what 2 things are being compared, then write what the simile means.1. The online dictionary is like a treasure
chest of ideas.2. When I unpacked my suitcase, my dress
was as wrinkled as a gorilla’s face.3. Completing that project was as easy as
collecting feathers during a hurricane.4. My dream was full of thoughts twisted
like a ball of string.
The answers are:
1. Comparing a dictionary to a treasure chest. That means finding new words is like winning something
valuable.
2. Comparing a dress to a gorilla’s face. That means the dress is very wrinkled.
3. Comparing a project to collecting feathers during a hurricane.
That means the project was impossible to complete.
4. Comparing a dream to a twisted ball of string. That means the dream is very confusing.
Now let’s try METAPHORS!Number from 5-8 and label these METAPHORS.
Follow the same directions: write the 2 things compared and the meaning.5. Felix was a brick wall, returning every tennis
ball back over the net.6. My cat is a bolt of lightning, and that rat
didn’t have a chance.7. Dad hates working during the holidays
because his store is a circus.8. The teacher is a dead battery because she
never listens to us.
The answers are:
1. Comparing Felix to a brick wall. That means he is so strong and tall, the balls just
bounced back across the net.
2. Comparing a cat to lightning. That means the cat is very quick and possibly deadly.
3. Comparing his store to a circus. That means a lot is going on in his store, it is loud
and busy.
4. Comparing the teacher to a dead battery. She must be deaf because her ears aren’t working.
Now number from 9- 18. Write an M if the sentence has a METAPHOR. Write an S if the sentence has a SIMILE. Write and X if it doesn’t have either one.
9. The machine was a hungry monster devouring the hills.
10.With her new gown, Lauren looked like a fairy princess.
11.The river is a twisting silver ribbon.
12.The sunset was beautiful with colors of orange and red.
13.The catsup oozed out of the hamburger like lava flowing down a volcano.
14.The cars were ants crawling along the freeway.
15.The icicles were daggers hanging from the roof.
16.Mike thought the camp was packed with fun.
17.The test was like a hurdle nine feet high.
18.His voice was as creaky as a rusty gate.
Here are the answers.When you have graded these, put your paper in the drawer.
9. M10.S11.M12.X13.S14.M15.M16.X17.S18.S