Let’s go through each sentence one by one and figure out whether it uses
personification (P),
simile (S), or
metaphor (M).
---
1. The Alarm clock went off like a bomb!
→ This compares the alarm clock to a bomb using the word “like”.
→ That’s a
simile.
✔ Answer:
S
---
2. She was as quiet as a mouse
→ Uses “as...as” to compare her quietness to a mouse.
→ Classic simile structure.
✔ Answer:
S
---
3. The ants marched home
→ Ants don’t really “march” — that’s something humans do, especially soldiers.
→ Giving human action to animals =
personification.
✔ Answer:
P
---
4. The moon is a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas
→ Says the moon *is* a ship (galleon). No “like” or “as” — direct comparison.
→ That’s a
metaphor.
✔ Answer:
M
---
5. She’s as mad as a hatter!
→ Again, “as...as” structure → comparing her madness to a hatter.
→ Simile.
✔ Answer:
S
---
6. The trees whispered to each other in the darkness
→ Trees can’t whisper — that’s a human thing.
→ Giving human behavior to trees =
personification.
✔ Answer:
P
---
7. The sun went to bed.
→ Sun doesn’t sleep or go to bed — that’s what people do.
→ Human action given to the sun =
personification.
✔ Answer:
P
---
8. She ate the mountain of food greedily
→ Food isn’t actually a mountain — but we’re saying it’s so much it’s *like* a mountain.
→ But note: no “like” or “as” — it says “the mountain of food”, which is a metaphor for a huge amount.
→ So this is a
metaphor.
✔ Answer:
M
*(Note: Some might argue this is hyperbole, but since our choices are only P, S, M — and it’s not literal, and not using “like/as”, metaphor fits best.)*
---
9. The frog’s tongue moved like lightning
→ Uses “like” to compare speed of tongue to lightning.
→ Clear simile.
✔ Answer:
S
---
Now let’s list all answers in order:
1. S
2. S
3. P
4. M
5. S
6. P
7. P
8. M
9. S
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Final Answer:
S, S, P, M, S, P, P, M, S
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of figurative language 5th grade worksheet.
