Figurative language worksheet for students to identify literary devices in sentences.

Let’s go through each sentence one by one and match it to the correct type of figurative language.

We have these options:
- Simile (uses “like” or “as” to compare)
- Metaphor (says something IS something else, without “like” or “as”)
- Hyperbole (big exaggeration)
- Onomatopoeia (words that sound like what they mean — like “buzz” or “crash”)
- Alliteration (repeating the same starting sound in nearby words)
- Personification (giving human traits to non-human things)

Now let’s solve each:

1. My life is an open book.
→ Saying life *is* a book → not literally true → this is a Metaphor

2. My brother ran like a gazelle and won the race.
→ Uses “like” to compare running to a gazelle → Simile

3. During the hot summer, the flowers begged for water every day.
→ Flowers can’t really “beg” — that’s human behavior → Personification

4. The children smiled at the beautiful, big balloons.
→ Look at the words: “beautiful, big balloons” — all start with ‘b’ → Alliteration

5. My mother’s smile was 10 miles long.
→ No one’s smile is actually 10 miles long — huge exaggeration → Hyperbole

6. The classroom is as cold as a refrigerator.
→ Uses “as...as” to compare → Simile

7. The car complained as I stepped on the gas pedal.
→ Cars don’t complain — that’s human → Personification

8. My dog barks every time a stranger arrives.
→ “Barks” is the actual sound a dog makes — but wait! Is this figurative? Actually, no — this is literal. But looking again… maybe we’re missing something? Wait — “barks” is also an example of onomatopoeia because the word sounds like the noise. So yes → Onomatopoeia

9. My mother was a lion when another kid hit me.
→ She didn’t turn into a real lion — she acted fierce → Metaphor

10. My bed called me to take a nap.
→ Beds can’t call — that’s human → Personification

11. I could sleep an eternity after exercising for so long.
→ “An eternity” = forever — impossible → Hyperbole

12. I went to Seattle to see my sister sing songs.
→ “Seattle”, “sister”, “sing”, “songs” — all start with ‘s’ → Alliteration

13. I could hear the cupcake calling my name.
→ Cupcakes can’t talk or call — human trait → Personification

14. The children were as quiet as mice when they left the house.
→ Uses “as...as” → Simile

15. ‘Ribbit, ribbit,’ croaked the frog all night.
→ “Ribbit” is the sound a frog makes — word imitates sound → Onomatopoeia

16. My pillow was like a soft cloud.
→ Uses “like” to compare → Simile

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Final Answer:

1. Metaphor
2. Simile
3. Personification
4. Alliteration
5. Hyperbole
6. Simile
7. Personification
8. Onomatopoeia
9. Metaphor
10. Personification
11. Hyperbole
12. Alliteration
13. Personification
14. Simile
15. Onomatopoeia
16. Simile