EnglishAges 13-15

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 10-12 Ages 13-15

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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 13-15

Similes, metaphors & personification

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. Classify “He swam like a dolphin through the waves”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “He swam like a d… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
2. Classify “Books are keys that unlock distant worlds”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “Books are keys t… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
3. Classify “The old wooden stairs groaned under the heavy trunk”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The old wooden s… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
4. Classify “The water was as clear as glass”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The water was as… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
5. Classify “The kitten’s fur was as soft as silk”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The kitten’s fur… · 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 “The snow lay like a white blanket across the valley”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The snow lay lik… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
8. Classify “The wind whispered secrets through the casuarina trees”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The wind whisper… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
9. Classify “The library was a treasure chest of ideas”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The library was … · Similes, metaphors & perso…
10. Classify “The floorboards complained as we tiptoed past”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The floorboards … · Similes, metaphors & perso…
11. Classify “Time is a thief that steals unguarded hours”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “Time is a thief … · Similes, metaphors & perso…
12. Classify “The camel is the ship of the desert”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The camel is the… · Similes, metaphors & perso…

12 questions · Seed 67 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

View the answer key

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 13-15

Similes, metaphors & personification

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. Classify “He swam like a dolphin through the waves”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Simile
It compares his swimming to a dolphin using “like”, making it a simile.
2. Classify “Books are keys that unlock distant worlds”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Metaphor
Directly identifying books as “keys” is a metaphor.
3. 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.
4. Classify “The water was as clear as glass”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Simile
Comparing water to glass using “as clear as” is a simile.
5. 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.
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 “The snow lay like a white blanket across the valley”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Simile
Using “like” to compare snow to a blanket makes this a simile.
8. 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.
9. Classify “The library was a treasure chest of ideas”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Metaphor
Directly calling the library “a treasure chest” is a metaphor.
10. Classify “The floorboards complained as we tiptoed past”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Personification
Complaining is a human action attributed to floorboards.
11. Classify “Time is a thief that steals unguarded hours”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Metaphor
Directly calling time “a thief” is a metaphor.
12. Classify “The camel is the ship of the desert”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Metaphor
Calling the camel “the ship of the desert” without “like” or “as” is a metaphor.

12 questions · Seed 67 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 13-15

Similes, metaphors & personification

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. Classify “He swam like a dolphin through the waves”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “He swam like a d… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
2. Classify “Books are keys that unlock distant worlds”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “Books are keys t… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
3. Classify “The old wooden stairs groaned under the heavy trunk”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The old wooden s… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
4. Classify “The water was as clear as glass”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The water was as… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
5. Classify “The kitten’s fur was as soft as silk”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The kitten’s fur… · 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 “The snow lay like a white blanket across the valley”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The snow lay lik… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
8. Classify “The wind whispered secrets through the casuarina trees”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The wind whisper… · Similes, metaphors & perso…
9. Classify “The library was a treasure chest of ideas”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The library was … · Similes, metaphors & perso…
10. Classify “The floorboards complained as we tiptoed past”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The floorboards … · Similes, metaphors & perso…
11. Classify “Time is a thief that steals unguarded hours”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “Time is a thief … · Similes, metaphors & perso…
12. Classify “The camel is the ship of the desert”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Classify “The camel is the… · Similes, metaphors & perso…

12 questions · Seed 67 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 13-15

Similes, metaphors & personification

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. Classify “He swam like a dolphin through the waves”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Simile
It compares his swimming to a dolphin using “like”, making it a simile.
2. Classify “Books are keys that unlock distant worlds”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Metaphor
Directly identifying books as “keys” is a metaphor.
3. 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.
4. Classify “The water was as clear as glass”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Simile
Comparing water to glass using “as clear as” is a simile.
5. 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.
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 “The snow lay like a white blanket across the valley”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Simile
Using “like” to compare snow to a blanket makes this a simile.
8. 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.
9. Classify “The library was a treasure chest of ideas”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Metaphor
Directly calling the library “a treasure chest” is a metaphor.
10. Classify “The floorboards complained as we tiptoed past”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Personification
Complaining is a human action attributed to floorboards.
11. Classify “Time is a thief that steals unguarded hours”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Metaphor
Directly calling time “a thief” is a metaphor.
12. Classify “The camel is the ship of the desert”: Simile, Metaphor or Personification?
Metaphor
Calling the camel “the ship of the desert” without “like” or “as” is a metaphor.

12 questions · Seed 67 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification