Finding Figurative Language

Read the sentences below and determine if it includes an example of metaphor, simile, onomatopoeia,
personification, oxymoron or alliteration. Write your answer on the lines beside each sentence.
________ 1. John could barely muster the strength to roll over when his alarm started beeping.

2. When the principal entered the class and screamed, “You!” poin@ng at Sam, there was
________ a deafening silence in the room.

3. When Mr. Jones entered the room, the students were a hive of bees swarming him to
________ get their mark.

4. Joining the music group wasn’t in ScoH’s plan, but opportunity knocked on his door, so
________ he decided to answer!

________ 5. Sarah had spent a stressful, yet successful, Saturday studying for finals.

________ 6. When Rebecca heard that she got the lead in the play, it was like music to her ears.

________ 7. BriHany’s computer just wouldn’t cooperate; it kept throwing fits while she worked.

8. Amber didn’t want to get in trouble for skipping school, so when the teacher began
________ asking ques@ons, she just tried to act naturally.

________ 9. Pat prayed he would pass, but he was pessimis@c about the prospect of geVng a 60%.

________ 10. When Doug hit the ball into leZ field, John took off from third and ran like the wind.

________ 11. The clock @cked away as Diane waited in an@cipa@on for the final bell to ring.

________ 12. Amber kicked the ball, and it flew toward the net like a rocket.

13. Chris was a lightning bolt as he ran past his opponent

________ to make a game-winning layup.

14. The waZing smell from the cafeteria called to the

________ students as they waited for lunch.

________ 15. While it was only Wednesday, Wendy already couldn’t wait un@l the weekend.

________ 16. Although the class was only 60 minutes, to Ben it was an endless hour.

17. Sadie exhaled a deep sigh when she realized she would be using the
________ weekend to get ready for her presenta@on. © Presto Plans
 Finding Figurative Language
ANSWER KEY
________ 1. John could barely muster the strength to roll over when his alarm started beeping.
ONOMATOPOEIA

2. When the principal entered the class and screamed, “You!” poin@ng at Sam, there was
OXYMORON a deafening silence in the room.
________

3. When Mr. Jones entered the room, the students were a hive of bees swarming him to
METAPHOR
________ get their mark.

4. Joining the music group wasn’t in ScoH’s plan, but opportunity knocked on his door, so
PERSONIFICATION he decided to answer!
________

________ 5. Sarah had spent a stressful, yet successful, Saturday studying for finals.
ALLITERATION

SIMILE
________ 6. When Rebecca heard that she got the lead in the play, it was like music to her ears.

PERSONIFICATION 7. BriHany’s computer just wouldn’t cooperate; it kept throwing fits while she worked.
________

8. Amber didn’t want to get in trouble for skipping school, so when the teacher began
OXYMORON
________ asking ques@ons, she just tried to act naturally.

ALLITERATION 9. Pat prayed he would pass, but he was pessimis@c about the prospect of geVng a 60%.
________

SIMILE
________ 10. When Doug hit the ball into leZ field, John took off from third and ran like the wind.

ONOMATOPOEIA
________ 11. The clock >cked away as Diane waited in an@cipa@on for the final bell to ring.

SIMILE
________ 12. Amber kicked the ball, and it flew toward the net like a rocket.

13. Chris was a lightning bolt as he ran past his opponent

METAPHOR
________ to make a game-winning layup.

14. The waZing smell from the cafeteria called to the

PERSONIFICATION students as they waited for lunch.
________

ALLITERATION
________ 15. While it was only Wednesday, Wendy already couldn’t wait un@l the weekend.

OXYMORON
________ 16. Although the class was only 60 minutes, to Ben it was an endless hour.

17. Sadie exhaled a deep sigh when she realized she would be using the
ONOMATOPOEIA
________ weekend to get ready for her presenta@on. © Presto Plans
 Figurative
Teaching language
Teaching students to understand, locate, evaluate how authors use figurative
language is an important skill in critical reading. There are lots of fun and engaging
ways to help students develop this skill, but my absolute favorite activity to use is a
figurative language escape room.

If you haven’t given classroom escape rooms a try, you are missing out! They are fun,
engaging, and challenging. Click the image below to get a closer look at how they
work and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions at all!

https://
www.teacherspayteachers.c
om/Product/FIGURATIVE-
LANGUAGE-ESCAPE-
ROOM-ACTIVITY-3619221?
utm_source=EMAIL&utm_ca
mpaign=Fig%20Lang%20Es