FIGURES OF SPEECH

Is a word or phrase that possesses a separate meaning from its literal

definition. They do not make sense if applied literally but they point clear word pictures
when their imaginative meanings are applied.

SIMILE - is a comparison of two unrelated objects with the use of like, as, so, than.
Example: 1. The baby’s skin is like a rose petal.
Baby’s skin and petals are two unrelated objects whose only similarity is
the smoothness of the baby’s skin and that of the rose petal.
2. Her hair is as yellow as a sun. In this simile you are comparing the girls
hair to the sun which is yellow.
EXAMPLES OF SIMILE:
1. As cold as ice.
2. Swim like a fish.
SENTENCES WITH SIMILE:
1. He is as brave as a lion.
2. They fought like cats and dogs.
3. He is as light as a cotton.
4. She is as white as a ghost.
5. Their cheeks were like roses.

METAPHOR
- a metaphor states that one thing is something else. It is a comparison of two
things and does not use the words like, or as. Some comparisons can be made without
using as or like.
Example: 1. the drumming of raindrops on the roof ( You are comparing the
sound of raindrops falling on the roof to the sound of a drum.)
2. The dress is a rainbow of colors. In this metaphor you are
comparing the dress and a rainbow. They are both colorful.

SENTENCES WITH METAPHOR

1. Their cheeks were roses.
2. She is going through a roller coaster of emotions.
3. Her eyes were diamonds.
4. She is a shining star.
5. She is an early bird.
Name : ______________________________________ Section: _______________________

Activity 1: Understanding Simile and Metaphor

Read each sentence and encircle the two words being compared. Label it either a simile
or a metaphor.

1. My heart is like an open highway.

2. It is late but still I have been working like a dog.

3. My cat is like a bolt of lightning.

4. She runs as fast as a cheetah.

5. Her skin is as black as a coal.

6. This test is a piece of cake.

7. The dancer was a whirlwind on the stage.

8. The internet connection was slower than a turtle.

9. The library sounded like a bee’s nest.

10. The frog was as slick as oil.

Activity 1.2: Identify the figures of speech in each sentence then choose its meaning from
the choices given.

1. Our class is a buzzing beehive today. __________ This means that:

a. Our class is essentially busy today.
b. A bee got into the classroom.

2. The assembly was like watching grass grow. __________ This means that:
a. Not very much happened at the assembly .
b. The assembly was green.

3. Her hands were as cold as ice. __________ This means that:

a. Her hands were wet.
b. Her hands were extremely wet.

4. The kitten is a fluffy cloud. __________ This means that

a. The kitten is furry and white.
b. The kitten sleeps all day.

5. I am as hungry as a bear. __________ This means that

a. I am not very hungry.
b. I am really hungry.

6. The boy is a volcano ready to explode. __________ This means that:

a. He is playing with a volcano.
b. He is very mad.