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EnglishAges 10-12

Similes, metaphors & personification

Distinguish between similes, metaphors and personification in descriptive sentences. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.

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Age band:Ages 10-12Ages 13-15

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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 10-12

Similes, metaphors & personification

Take your time. Show your thinking.

  1. 1. Classify “Time is a thief that steals unguarded hours”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “Time is a thief … · Similes, metaphors & perso…

  2. 2. Classify “The classroom was a beehive of activity before the fair”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “The classroom wa… · Similes, metaphors & perso…

  3. 3. Classify “The library was a treasure chest of ideas”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “The library was … · Similes, metaphors & perso…

  4. 4. Classify “The waves marched steadily toward the shore”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “The waves marche… · Similes, metaphors & perso…

  5. 5. Classify “The floorboards complained as we tiptoed past”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “The floorboards … · Similes, metaphors & perso…

  6. 6. Classify “Books are keys that unlock distant worlds”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “Books are keys t… · Similes, metaphors & perso…

  7. 7. Classify “The wind whispered secrets through the casuarina trees”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “The wind whisper… · Similes, metaphors & perso…

  8. 8. Classify “The runner’s legs felt as heavy as lead”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “The runner’s leg… · Similes, metaphors & perso…

  9. 9. Classify “Hope is a bright beacon in a storm”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “Hope is a bright… · Similes, metaphors & perso…

  10. 10. Classify “The stars sparkled like diamonds in the night sky”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “The stars sparkl… · Similes, metaphors & perso…

  11. 11. Classify “The morning sun smiled down on the harbour”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “The morning sun … · Similes, metaphors & perso…

  12. 12. Classify “The kitten’s fur was as soft as silk”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “The kitten’s fur… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
12 questions · Seed 104738 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
View the answer key
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 10-12

Similes, metaphors & personification

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

  1. 1. Classify “Time is a thief that steals unguarded hours”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Metaphor

    Directly calling time “a thief” is a metaphor.

  2. 2. Classify “The classroom was a beehive of activity before the fair”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Metaphor

    It directly equates the busy classroom to a beehive, which is a metaphor.

  3. 3. Classify “The library was a treasure chest of ideas”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Metaphor

    Directly calling the library “a treasure chest” is a metaphor.

  4. 4. Classify “The waves marched steadily toward the shore”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Personification

    Marching is a human action given to waves.

  5. 5. Classify “The floorboards complained as we tiptoed past”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Personification

    Complaining is a human action attributed to floorboards.

  6. 6. Classify “Books are keys that unlock distant worlds”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Metaphor

    Directly identifying books as “keys” is a metaphor.

  7. 7. Classify “The wind whispered secrets through the casuarina trees”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Personification

    Whispering secrets is a human action given to the wind, which is personification.

  8. 8. Classify “The runner’s legs felt as heavy as lead”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Simile

    Comparing legs to lead with “as heavy as” is a simile.

  9. 9. Classify “Hope is a bright beacon in a storm”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Metaphor

    Directly calling hope “a bright beacon” is a metaphor.

  10. 10. Classify “The stars sparkled like diamonds in the night sky”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Simile

    Comparing stars to diamonds using “like” is a simile.

  11. 11. Classify “The morning sun smiled down on the harbour”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Personification

    Smiling is a human expression attributed to the sun, which is personification.

  12. 12. Classify “The kitten’s fur was as soft as silk”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Simile

    Comparing fur to silk with “as soft as” is a simile.

12 questions · Seed 104738 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 10-12

Similes, metaphors & personification

Take your time. Show your thinking.

  1. 1. Classify “Time is a thief that steals unguarded hours”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “Time is a thief … · Similes, metaphors & perso…

  2. 2. Classify “The classroom was a beehive of activity before the fair”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “The classroom wa… · Similes, metaphors & perso…

  3. 3. Classify “The library was a treasure chest of ideas”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “The library was … · Similes, metaphors & perso…

  4. 4. Classify “The waves marched steadily toward the shore”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “The waves marche… · Similes, metaphors & perso…

  5. 5. Classify “The floorboards complained as we tiptoed past”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “The floorboards … · Similes, metaphors & perso…

  6. 6. Classify “Books are keys that unlock distant worlds”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “Books are keys t… · Similes, metaphors & perso…

  7. 7. Classify “The wind whispered secrets through the casuarina trees”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “The wind whisper… · Similes, metaphors & perso…

  8. 8. Classify “The runner’s legs felt as heavy as lead”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “The runner’s leg… · Similes, metaphors & perso…

  9. 9. Classify “Hope is a bright beacon in a storm”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “Hope is a bright… · Similes, metaphors & perso…

  10. 10. Classify “The stars sparkled like diamonds in the night sky”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “The stars sparkl… · Similes, metaphors & perso…

  11. 11. Classify “The morning sun smiled down on the harbour”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “The morning sun … · Similes, metaphors & perso…

  12. 12. Classify “The kitten’s fur was as soft as silk”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Classify “The kitten’s fur… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
12 questions · Seed 104738 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 10-12

Similes, metaphors & personification

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

  1. 1. Classify “Time is a thief that steals unguarded hours”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Metaphor

    Directly calling time “a thief” is a metaphor.

  2. 2. Classify “The classroom was a beehive of activity before the fair”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Metaphor

    It directly equates the busy classroom to a beehive, which is a metaphor.

  3. 3. Classify “The library was a treasure chest of ideas”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Metaphor

    Directly calling the library “a treasure chest” is a metaphor.

  4. 4. Classify “The waves marched steadily toward the shore”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Personification

    Marching is a human action given to waves.

  5. 5. Classify “The floorboards complained as we tiptoed past”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Personification

    Complaining is a human action attributed to floorboards.

  6. 6. Classify “Books are keys that unlock distant worlds”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Metaphor

    Directly identifying books as “keys” is a metaphor.

  7. 7. Classify “The wind whispered secrets through the casuarina trees”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Personification

    Whispering secrets is a human action given to the wind, which is personification.

  8. 8. Classify “The runner’s legs felt as heavy as lead”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Simile

    Comparing legs to lead with “as heavy as” is a simile.

  9. 9. Classify “Hope is a bright beacon in a storm”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Metaphor

    Directly calling hope “a bright beacon” is a metaphor.

  10. 10. Classify “The stars sparkled like diamonds in the night sky”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Simile

    Comparing stars to diamonds using “like” is a simile.

  11. 11. Classify “The morning sun smiled down on the harbour”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Personification

    Smiling is a human expression attributed to the sun, which is personification.

  12. 12. Classify “The kitten’s fur was as soft as silk”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?

    Simile

    Comparing fur to silk with “as soft as” is a simile.

12 questions · Seed 104738 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification