Figurative Language Worksheets and Posters - Free Printable

Here is the completed paragraph using personification, with the correct words from the word bank filled in:

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The angry clouds scowled down at us. The thunder screamed while lightning raced across the sky. The rain clapped on the roof and the wind shook. The thirsty ground was happy for the rain. My dog Dusty tap-danced like a leaf. After the storm was over the moon came out and winked at me. I knew in the morning the flowers would be dancing in the breeze.

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✔ Explanation of Each Choice:

1. “The angry clouds scowled down at us.”
- *Scowled* = a human facial expression showing anger or displeasure.
- Fits perfectly with “angry clouds” — gives them a human emotion and action.

2. “The thunder screamed...”
- *Screamed* = a loud, high-pitched human sound.
- Thunder is loud and startling — personifying it as screaming makes sense.

3. “...while lightning raced across the sky.”
- *Raced* = to move very fast, like a human runner.
- Lightning moves incredibly quickly — “raced” captures that motion with human-like speed.

4. “The rain clapped on the roof...”
- *Clapped* = the sound of hands coming together — often joyful or rhythmic.
- Raindrops hitting a roof can sound like applause — this gives rain a playful, human action.

5. “...and the wind shook.”
- *Shook* = to tremble or move violently.
- Wind can shake trees, signs, or windows — personifying it as “shaking” gives it physical human-like force.

6. “The thirsty ground was happy for the rain.”
- *Thirsty* = a human (or animal) need for water.
- Ground absorbs water — saying it’s “thirsty” gives it a human need or desire.

7. “My dog Dusty tap-danced like a leaf.”
- *Tap-danced* = a human form of dance involving rhythmic foot tapping.
- Even though Dusty is a dog, we’re personifying his movement — perhaps he’s prancing or running lightly, like a leaf dancing in the wind. The phrase “like a leaf” supports the light, rhythmic motion.

8. “...the moon came out and winked at me.”
- *Winked* = a quick closing and opening of one eye — a human gesture, often friendly or playful.
- Personifying the moon as winking adds charm and warmth to the scene after the storm.

9. “...the flowers would be dancing in the breeze.”
- *Dancing* = a graceful human movement.
- Flowers sway gently in the breeze — describing them as “dancing” gives them life and joy.

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🎯 Key Concept: Personification

Personification is giving human traits, emotions, or actions to non-human things — animals, objects, or natural elements. This worksheet helps you practice imagining nature and objects as if they have feelings and behaviors like people.

All the chosen words from the word bank fit both grammatically and thematically, creating a vivid, imaginative paragraph full of personality!

✔ Final Answer:

scowled, screamed, raced, clapped, shook, thirsty, tap-danced, winked, dancing