What is Onomatopoeia?

The sound device onomatopoeia refers to words both derived from sounds and used to suggest
sound. “Ping” and “tick, tock” are examples of words derived from sounds, while “R-r-r-i-i-i-p!” would be an
example of a word visually imitating a sound.

Examples:

The bees buzzed by flying back to their hive.

Click the button to take the picture.
The pig squealed when it saw the dog coming.
The sheep went, “Baa.”
The best part about music class is that you can bang on the drum.

Exercise #1 Score: _____________

Identify the words you “hear” in these sentences:
 The train rumbled down the track.
 The truck’s brakes screeched in the distance.
 The old floor creaked as we walked across the room.

Complete the following sentences using onomatopoeia of your own:

  The rusty gate ___________________________________________.
 The branches ____________________________________________.

 The motorcycle _____________________________________________.

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 Exercise #2 Score: _____________
Direction: Each of the words in the word bank is onomatopoeia. Complete each sentence by writing a word
from the word bank in the blank. Use each word only once .

Word Bank
boom yowl hiss purr
splash hoot quack splat
1. The cat’s __________________________________ told me it was happy.
2. Jake made a big ____________________________ when he jumped into the swimming pool.
3. The duck will _______________________________ if it is hungry.
4. I laid in bed and listened to the thunder _______________________________.
5. Suddenly she heard the ________________________________ of a snake.
6. The lonesome _______________________________ of the coyotes echoed through the hills.
7. My ice cream cone went __________________________________ onto the sidewalk.
8. The __________________________________ of the owl told him someone was coming.

Let’s Do It Score: _____________

Directions: Read each sentence and circle the onomatopoeic word. Also explain what makes this noise.
1. During a dangerous mission on the foreign planet, Spaceman Spiff zapped the alien with his ray-gun.
What made the noise?
___________________________________________________________________
2. As Daryl was gargling his mouthwash, he regretted starting his day with orange juice.
What made the noise?
___________________________________________________________________
3. Keith threw his brother on the ground and the dishes fell to the floor with a clatter.
What made the noise?
___________________________________________________________________
4. As the solider ran through the field, a bullet whizzed by his ear.

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What made the noise?
___________________________________________________________________
5. Juan had a hard time hearing the teacher over his grumbling stomach.
What made the noise?
___________________________________________________________________
6. Dissatisfied with her work, Beth crinkled up the paper and threw it in the trash.
What made the noise?
___________________________________________________________________
7. The patient sounded like he was hacking up a lung.
What made the noise?
___________________________________________________________________
8. I secretly ripped up the birthday checks that my grandmother sent me.
What made the noise?
___________________________________________________________________
9. Jake was pleased when he heard the new pencil sharpener hum efficiently.
What made the noise?
___________________________________________________________________
10. When he pressed on the gas, he took off so quickly that his tires screeched.
What made the noise?
___________________________________________________________________
11. We all knew she was in the kitchen because the cabinet opened with a distinct creak.
What made the noise?
___________________________________________________________________
12. If you’re going to cough, it is polite to cover your mouth.
What made the noise?
___________________________________________________________________
13. The lion’s mighty roar could be heard across the Savannah and the Zebra ran in terror.
What made the noise?
___________________________________________________________________
14. Wow, the race car zoomed past the finish line.
What made the noise?
___________________________________________________________________
15. My brother is the coolest because he can burp the alphabet.
What made the noise?
___________________________________________________________________

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What is Alliteration?
Alliteration is a literary device that uses the repetition of the sounds, usually the beginning sounds,
of words. Alliteration creates a mood and shows how an author wants to emphasize certain words and
concepts.

Examples:

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 Exercise #1
Direction: Identify the alliteration in these sentences:
 The warm wind wafted across the window.
 I accidentally ate an awful apple.
 Slipping and sliding, I stumbled in the snow and slush.
Direction: Finish these sentences with alliterations of your own:
 Swiftly swimming _________________________________.
 The tired traveler __________________________________.
 While wandering __________________________________.

Exercise #2 Score: _____________

Direction: Below are two poems that are missing some words. Write words in the blank that will create an
alliteration.
Sunrise
As the ________________________ sun rises
In the ________________________ purple sky,
The ______________________ lark sings a ______________________ song.
A ________________________ day has begun.
Creepy Castle
In a ________________________ and ________________________dungeon
________________________ ghosts float ________________________.
________________________ spiders scury silently
As the ________________________ moon shines down.

Let’s Do It Score: _____________

Direction: Use the words from the word box to create alliteration and complete each sentence below.

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apple walked clawed
Page 5
dove
microphone six hot fried
1. Harry’s helmet was ________________.
2. Walter ____________________ wearily while wondering where Wally was.
3. Stephen’s ___________________ sisters slept soundly in the sand.
4. Michael’s _____________________ made much music.
5. David’s dog ______________________ deep into the dam.
6. Christina’s cat _____________________ the couch.
7. Alex’s aunt ate the _____________________.
8. Franks friends ___________________ Fritos for Friday’s food.

Key Answers: What is Onomatopoeia?

Exercise #1
Identify the words you “hear” in these sentences:
 The train rumbled down the track.
 The truck’s brakes screeched in the distance.
 The old floor creaked as we walked across the room.

Complete the following sentences using onomatopoeia of your own: (Answers may vary)
  The rusty gate ___________________________________________.
 The branches ____________________________________________.
 The motorcycle _____________________________________________.
Exercise #2
Direction: Each of the words in the word bank is onomatopoeia. Complete each sentence by writing
a word from the word bank in the blank. Use each word only once .

1. The cat’s __________________________________ told me it was happy.

2. Jake made a big ____________________________ when he jumped into the swimming pool.
3. The duck will _______________________________ if it is hungry.
4. I laid in bed and listened to the thunder _______________________________.
5. Suddenly she heard the ________________________________ of a snake.
6. The lonesome _______________________________ of the coyotes echoed through the hills.
7. My ice cream cone went __________________________________ onto the sidewalk.
8. The __________________________________ of the owl told him someone was coming.

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Key Answers: What is Alliteration?
Exercise #1
Direction: Identify the alliteration in these sentences:
 The warm wind wafted across the window.
 I accidentally ate an awful apple.
 Slipping and sliding, I stumbled in the snow and slush.
Direction: Finish these sentences with alliterations of your own: (Answers may vary)
 Swiftly swimming _________________________________.
 The tired traveler __________________________________.
 While wandering __________________________________.

Exercise #2
Direction: Below are two poems that are missing some words. Write words in the blank that will create
alliteration. Actual student’s answers will vary. Examples of correct answers:
Sunrise
As the _____shimmering___________________ sun rises
In the ________pale________________ purple sky,
The _______little_______________ lark sings a _____________solitary_________ song.
A ___________delightful_____________ day has begun.
Creepy Castle
In a ____________dark____________ and ___________dreary_____________ dungeon
________Gruesome________________ ghosts float _________freely_______________.
____________Scary____________ spiders scury silently
As the ___________midnight_____________ moon shines down.

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Let’s Do It Score: _____________
Direction: Use the words from the word box to create alliteration and complete each sentence below.

1. Harry’s helmet was _______hot_________.

2. Walter ___________walked _________ wearily while wondering where Wally was.
3. Stephen’s _______six____________ sisters slept soundly in the sand.
4. Michael’s ________microphone_____________ made much music.
5. David’s dog _____________dive_________ deep into the dam.
6. Christina’s cat ___________clawed__________ the couch.
7. Alex’s aunt ate the _____apple________________.
8. Franks friends __________fried_________ Fritos for Friday’s food.

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