Figurative language describes things in imaginative, non-literal ways to create a vivid picture. A simile compares two things using "like" or "as" ("brave as a lion", "ran like the wind"). A metaphor compares two things by saying one thing IS the other, without using "like" or "as" ("Her voice was music", "Time is a thief"). Both add colour and feeling that a plain, literal description often can't.
Example
Literal: "He was very tired." Simile: "He was as tired as a marathon runner at the finish line." Metaphor: "He was a zombie by the end of the day."
Key terms
Simile:
A comparison using "like" or "as".
Metaphor:
A comparison that says one thing IS another, without using "like" or "as".
Figurative language:
Language that describes something in an imaginative, non-literal way.
Questions
1. A simile compares two things using:
Only nouns
"Like" or "as"
Punctuation
Adjectives only
2. A metaphor compares two things by saying:
One thing is like another using "as"
One thing IS another
Nothing at all
A question
3. Which sentence is a simile?
Her voice was music.
She ran like the wind.
Time is money.
None of these
4. Which sentence is a metaphor?
She ran like the wind.
Her voice was music.
As brave as a lion.
None of these
5. Figurative language is used mainly to:
State only literal facts
Create a vivid, imaginative picture
Replace all punctuation
End a sentence
6. "Brave as a lion" is an example of a:
Metaphor
Simile
Full stop
Noun
7. "Time is a thief" is an example of a:
Simile
Metaphor
Question
Adverb
8. Which sentence uses a simile correctly?
He was a rock during the crisis.
He was as steady as a rock during the crisis.
He rocked during the crisis.
Rock, he was, during crisis.
9. Which sentence uses a metaphor correctly?
He was as strong as an ox.
He was an ox on the field.
He ran like an ox.
None of these.
10. Turning "He was very tired" into "He was a zombie by the end of the day" is an example of using a:
Simile
Metaphor
Full stop
Question
11. Similes and metaphors are both types of:
Punctuation
Figurative language
Nouns
Full stops
12. Which is the key difference between a simile and a metaphor?
A simile always uses "like" or "as"; a metaphor doesn't
They mean the exact same thing, only spelled differently
A metaphor is always longer
A simile only appears in poems
13. "The classroom was a zoo" is best described as a:
Simile
Metaphor
Fact
Question
14. Using figurative language in writing mainly helps:
Make descriptions dull
Make descriptions vivid and memorable
Remove all imagery
Replace punctuation
15. Which sentence uses figurative language most effectively to describe fear?
She was scared.
Her heart pounded like a drum, and fear wrapped around her like a cold blanket.
She felt an emotion related to fear.
Fear is a noun describing an emotion.
16. A writer overusing similes in every single sentence risks:
Making the writing feel forced or overdone
Always improving the writing
Removing the need for verbs
Fixing all grammar errors
17. "The stars were diamonds scattered across the sky" is:
A literal, factual statement
A metaphor comparing stars to diamonds
A simile using "like"
A question
18. Which revision replaces a literal statement with an effective simile?
The dog was fast. → The dog was quick.
The dog was fast. → The dog ran like lightning.
The dog was fast. → The Dog Was Fast.
The dog was fast. → The dog, fast, ran.
19. Metaphors can be considered more direct than similes mainly because they:
State the comparison as fact rather than using "like" or "as"
Always use more words
Are never used in poetry
Require punctuation that similes don't
20. Understanding figurative language when reading mainly helps you:
Take every description completely literally
Recognise the deeper, imaginative meaning behind a description
Avoid understanding descriptive writing
Skip all descriptive passages
Answer key (parent copy)
1. "Like" or "as"
2. One thing IS another
3. She ran like the wind.
4. Her voice was music.
5. Create a vivid, imaginative picture
6. Simile
7. Metaphor
8. He was as steady as a rock during the crisis.
9. He was an ox on the field.
10. Metaphor
11. Figurative language
12. A simile always uses "like" or "as"; a metaphor doesn't
13. Metaphor
14. Make descriptions vivid and memorable
15. Her heart pounded like a drum, and fear wrapped around her like a cold blanket.
16. Making the writing feel forced or overdone
17. A metaphor comparing stars to diamonds
18. The dog was fast. → The dog ran like lightning.
19. State the comparison as fact rather than using "like" or "as"
20. Recognise the deeper, imaginative meaning behind a description