EnglishAges 10-12

Similes, metaphors & personification

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

New variation Try interactive challenge Browse templates

Age band:Ages 10-12 Ages 13-15

Choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy. Use your browser’s paper setting for A4 or Letter.

Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 10-12

Similes, metaphors & personification

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. Classify “The water was as clear as glass”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The water was as… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
2. Classify “The cloud looked like a fluffy sheep”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The cloud looked… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
3. Classify “The morning sun smiled down on the harbour”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The morning sun … · Similes, metaphors & perso…
4. Classify “The classroom was a beehive of activity before the fair”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The classroom wa… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
5. Classify “The stars sparkled like diamonds in the night sky”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The stars sparkl… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
6. Classify “The alarm clock shouted at six every morning”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The alarm clock … · Similes, metaphors & perso…
7. Classify “Hope is a bright beacon in a storm”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “Hope is a bright… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
8. Classify “Books are keys that unlock distant worlds”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “Books are keys t… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
9. Classify “The old wooden stairs groaned under the heavy trunk”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The old wooden s… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
10. Classify “The library was a treasure chest of ideas”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The library was … · Similes, metaphors & perso…
11. Classify “The wind whispered secrets through the casuarina trees”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The wind whisper… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
12. Classify “Laughter is the best medicine”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “Laughter is the … · Similes, metaphors & perso…

12 questions · Seed 55 · 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. Classify “The water was as clear as glass”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Simile
Comparing water to glass using “as clear as” is a simile.
2. Classify “The cloud looked like a fluffy sheep”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Simile
Comparing the cloud to a sheep with “like” is a simile.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Classify “The stars sparkled like diamonds in the night sky”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Simile
Comparing stars to diamonds using “like” is a simile.
6. Classify “The alarm clock shouted at six every morning”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Personification
Shouting is a human action given to an alarm clock, which is personification.
7. Classify “Hope is a bright beacon in a storm”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Metaphor
Directly calling hope “a bright beacon” is a metaphor.
8. Classify “Books are keys that unlock distant worlds”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Metaphor
Directly identifying books as “keys” is a metaphor.
9. Classify “The old wooden stairs groaned under the heavy trunk”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Personification
Groaning is a human response attributed to wooden stairs, which is personification.
10. Classify “The library was a treasure chest of ideas”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Metaphor
Directly calling the library “a treasure chest” is a metaphor.
11. 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.
12. Classify “Laughter is the best medicine”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Metaphor
Directly equating laughter to medicine is a metaphor.

12 questions · Seed 55 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 10-12

Similes, metaphors & personification

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. Classify “The water was as clear as glass”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The water was as… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
2. Classify “The cloud looked like a fluffy sheep”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The cloud looked… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
3. Classify “The morning sun smiled down on the harbour”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The morning sun … · Similes, metaphors & perso…
4. Classify “The classroom was a beehive of activity before the fair”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The classroom wa… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
5. Classify “The stars sparkled like diamonds in the night sky”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The stars sparkl… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
6. Classify “The alarm clock shouted at six every morning”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The alarm clock … · Similes, metaphors & perso…
7. Classify “Hope is a bright beacon in a storm”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “Hope is a bright… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
8. Classify “Books are keys that unlock distant worlds”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “Books are keys t… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
9. Classify “The old wooden stairs groaned under the heavy trunk”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The old wooden s… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
10. Classify “The library was a treasure chest of ideas”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The library was … · Similes, metaphors & perso…
11. Classify “The wind whispered secrets through the casuarina trees”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The wind whisper… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
12. Classify “Laughter is the best medicine”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “Laughter is the … · Similes, metaphors & perso…

12 questions · Seed 55 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 10-12

Similes, metaphors & personification

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. Classify “The water was as clear as glass”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Simile
Comparing water to glass using “as clear as” is a simile.
2. Classify “The cloud looked like a fluffy sheep”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Simile
Comparing the cloud to a sheep with “like” is a simile.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Classify “The stars sparkled like diamonds in the night sky”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Simile
Comparing stars to diamonds using “like” is a simile.
6. Classify “The alarm clock shouted at six every morning”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Personification
Shouting is a human action given to an alarm clock, which is personification.
7. Classify “Hope is a bright beacon in a storm”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Metaphor
Directly calling hope “a bright beacon” is a metaphor.
8. Classify “Books are keys that unlock distant worlds”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Metaphor
Directly identifying books as “keys” is a metaphor.
9. Classify “The old wooden stairs groaned under the heavy trunk”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Personification
Groaning is a human response attributed to wooden stairs, which is personification.
10. Classify “The library was a treasure chest of ideas”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Metaphor
Directly calling the library “a treasure chest” is a metaphor.
11. 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.
12. Classify “Laughter is the best medicine”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Metaphor
Directly equating laughter to medicine is a metaphor.

12 questions · Seed 55 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification