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Ignition Learning — Activity Sheet

Figurative language

English · Year 8

Name: ______________________Date: ____________

Figurative language paints pictures with words instead of stating things literally. A metaphor says one thing IS another ("the classroom was a zoo"). A simile compares two things using "like" or "as" ("as quiet as a mouse"). Personification gives human qualities to non-human things ("the wind howled"). Hyperbole is deliberate exaggeration for effect ("I've told you a million times").

Example

"Her smile was sunshine" is a metaphor. "He ran like the wind" is a simile. "The old house groaned in the storm" is personification. "This bag weighs a tonne" is hyperbole.

Key terms

Metaphor:
Says one thing is another, without "like" or "as".
Simile:
Compares two things using "like" or "as".
Personification:
Gives human qualities to non-human things.
Hyperbole:
Deliberate exaggeration for effect.

Questions

  1. 1. 'The classroom was a zoo' is an example of a:

    • Simile
    • Metaphor
    • Fact
    • Statistic
  2. 2. A simile compares two things using:

    • 'like' or 'as'
    • 'is' or 'was'
    • Numbers
    • Rhetorical questions
  3. 3. Personification gives human qualities to:

    • People only
    • Non-human things
    • Numbers
    • Facts
  4. 4. Hyperbole means:

    • A true fact
    • Exaggeration for effect
    • A rhetorical question
    • A statistic
  5. 5. 'As busy as a bee' is an example of a:

    • Metaphor
    • Simile
    • Fact
    • Statistic
  6. 6. 'The stars danced in the sky' uses:

    • A statistic
    • Personification
    • A fact
    • A rhetorical question
  7. 7. 'I could eat a horse' is an example of:

    • A fact
    • Hyperbole
    • A statistic
    • A rhetorical question
  8. 8. "The wind whispered through the trees" is an example of:

    • Simile
    • Personification
    • Hyperbole
    • A statistic
  9. 9. "As brave as a lion" is a:

    • Metaphor
    • Simile
    • Hyperbole
    • Rhetorical question
  10. 10. "I have told you a million times" is:

    • Hyperbole
    • Metaphor
    • Personification
    • Alliteration
  11. 11. "Time is a thief" is a:

    • Simile
    • Metaphor
    • Hyperbole
    • Fact
  12. 12. 'The wind howled angrily' is an example of:

    • Simile
    • Personification
    • Hyperbole
    • Statistic
  13. 13. 'Her voice was music to his ears' is a:

    • Simile
    • Metaphor
    • Hyperbole
    • Fact
  14. 14. 'Slow as a snail' is a:

    • Metaphor
    • Simile
    • Personification
    • Statistic
  15. 15. 'The old car groaned and complained on every hill' uses which technique?

    • Simile
    • Personification
    • Statistic
    • Fact
  16. 16. What is the key difference between a metaphor and a simile?

    • Metaphors use 'like' or 'as', similes don't
    • Similes use 'like' or 'as', metaphors don't
    • They are exactly the same
    • Metaphors are always about animals
  17. 17. 'This bag weighs a million kilos' is best described as:

    • A fact
    • Hyperbole
    • A simile
    • Personification
  18. 18. 'The city never sleeps' is an example of:

    • A statistic
    • Personification
    • A fact
    • A rhetorical question
  19. 19. 'He ran like lightning, covering a million miles in seconds' combines a simile with:

    • Personification
    • Hyperbole
    • A statistic
    • A fact
  20. 20. A writer uses personification instead of a plain fact mainly to:

    • Make the writing more factual
    • Make non-human things feel alive and relatable
    • Add real statistics
    • Ask a question
  21. 21. 'Time flew by during the holidays' is an example of a:

    • Simile
    • Metaphor
    • A statistic
    • A fact

Answer key (parent copy)

  1. 1. Metaphor
  2. 2. 'like' or 'as'
  3. 3. Non-human things
  4. 4. Exaggeration for effect
  5. 5. Simile
  6. 6. Personification
  7. 7. Hyperbole
  8. 8. Personification
  9. 9. Simile
  10. 10. Hyperbole
  11. 11. Metaphor
  12. 12. Personification
  13. 13. Metaphor
  14. 14. Simile
  15. 15. Personification
  16. 16. Similes use 'like' or 'as', metaphors don't
  17. 17. Hyperbole
  18. 18. Personification
  19. 19. Hyperbole
  20. 20. Make non-human things feel alive and relatable
  21. 21. Metaphor