Match the similes Worksheet - WordMint - Free Printable

Let's solve the "Match the Similes" worksheet by pairing each simile on the left with the most appropriate and commonly used comparison from the list on the right.

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Understanding Similes:

Similes are figures of speech that compare two things using "as...as". For example, "as strong as an ox" means someone is very strong, comparing their strength to that of an ox.

We'll go through each one logically:

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Matching the Similes:

1. as strong as → H. an ox
(Oxen are known for great strength.)

2. as light as → A. a feather
(Feathers are extremely light.)

3. as busy as → J. a bee
(Bees are constantly moving; "busy as a bee" is a common idiom.)

4. as quiet as → K. a ghost
(Ghosts are often imagined as silent and stealthy.)

5. as quick as → F. a flash
(Lightning or a flash happens instantly — very fast.)

6. as dry as → Q. a bone
("Dry as a bone" is a common expression for something completely dry.)

7. as white as → R. ice
(Ice is white and cold; also "white as snow" is common, but "ice" fits here.)

8. as red as → L. a beet
(Beets are deep red; "red as a beet" describes blushing.)

9. as black as → E. night
(Night is dark; "black as night" is a classic simile.)

10. as big as → N. the ocean
(The ocean is vast; "big as the ocean" emphasizes size.)

11. as slippery as → T. a fish
(Fish are slippery when wet; common saying.)

12. as purple as → S. a grape
(Grapes are purple; this is a logical match.)

13. as sweet as → P. candy
(Candy is sweet; "sweet as candy" is natural.)

14. as slow as → M. a snail
(Snails move slowly; "slow as a snail" is a well-known simile.)

15. as bright as → C. the sun
(The sun is the brightest thing in the sky.)

16. as wise as → D. an owl
(Owls are symbols of wisdom.)

17. as flat as → G. a pancake
(Pancakes are flat and round; "flat as a pancake" is common.)

18. as brave as → I. a lion
(Lions are seen as courageous animals.)

19. as cold as → B. a mouse ✘
Wait — "cold as a mouse"? That’s not common. Let’s reconsider.

Actually, “cold as ice” is the standard simile. So:
→ R. ice
But wait — we already used R. ice for #7.

Hmm. Let's check again.

We have:
- 7. as white as → R. ice?
But ice isn’t *only* white — it can be clear or blue, but often described as white in snow.
However, “as white as snow” is more common than “as white as ice.”

But in our list, there’s no "snow", so perhaps “ice” is acceptable.

But then:
- 19. as cold as → should be R. ice

But if we used R for #7, conflict.

So let’s double-check:

Is there a better option?

“As cold as a mouse”? No — mice aren’t known for being cold.

“As cold as a stone”? Not listed.

Only options are: A. feather, B. mouse, C. sun, D. owl, E. night, F. flash, G. pancake, H. ox, I. lion, J. bee, K. ghost, L. beet, M. snail, N. ocean, O. knife, P. candy, Q. bone, R. ice, S. grape, T. fish

So only possible match for “as cold as” is R. ice

And “as white as” — could it be a ghost? Ghosts are often shown as white.

But “as white as a ghost” is actually a simile meaning pale (from fear), not literally white.

But “as white as snow” is best — but snow isn’t listed.

So among options, “as white as ice” is acceptable, though less common.

Alternatively, “as white as a sheet” — not here.

So likely:
- 7. as white as → G. a pancake? Pancakes are golden brown — not white.

Wait — pancakes are not white.

Let’s re-evaluate.

What about a ghost? Ghosts are typically depicted as white or translucent.

So maybe:
- 7. as white as → K. a ghost?
But “as white as a ghost” implies pallor, not purity.

But “as white as snow” is ideal — not available.

Perhaps a bone? Bones are white.

Yes! Q. a bone — bones are white.

So:
- 7. as white as → Q. a bone

Then:
- 19. as cold as → R. ice

That works.

Now back to 7.

So:
- 7. as white as → Q. a bone

But wait — “as white as a bone” is not a common simile, but plausible.

Better: “as white as milk” — not listed.

But “as white as snow” — not here.

Among choices, a bone is the best fit.

Or a ghost — but ghost is associated with paleness, not whiteness.

But “ghost” is usually white in cartoons.

Still, “as white as a bone” is better for literal whiteness.

But let’s look at other possibilities.

Wait — what about a pancake? No, pancakes are brown.

a grape? No, grapes are purple.

a beet? Red.

So only options for white: bone, feather, ghost

- Feather: white — yes! Feathers are often white.
- Ghost: white — yes
- Bone: white — yes

But “as white as a feather” — yes, that’s a valid simile.

Example: “She was as white as a feather” — meaning very pale.

So maybe:
- 7. as white as → A. a feather

Then:
- 2. as light as → A. a feather — that’s a perfect match!

Conflict! Can’t use A for both.

So now we see the problem: A. a feather is used in two similes.

But “as light as a feather” is standard.

“As white as a feather” is also used, but less common.

But since “as light as” is definitely matched with “a feather”, we must assign:

- 2. as light as → A. a feather

Then for “as white as”, which option?

Let’s list remaining options after assigning 2.

So far:
- 2. as light as → A. a feather ✔

Now:
- 7. as white as → ?

Possible: Q. a bone or K. a ghost

“As white as a bone” — rare.

“As white as a ghost” — common in literature for pale skin.

But still, not ideal.

But R. ice — ice is white when opaque or covered in snow.

“As white as ice” — sometimes used.

But “as cold as ice” is more common.

So perhaps:

- 7. as white as → Q. a bone? Uncommon.

Or G. a pancake? No, pancakes are not white.

Wait — a pancake is yellow/brown.

a grape — purple

a beet — red

a mouse — gray or brown

a snake — not listed

So the only white things in the list are:
- feather (A) — but used for “light”
- ghost (K)
- bone (Q)
- ice (R)

But ice is best for “cold”

So perhaps:
- 7. as white as → K. a ghost — acceptable

But “as white as a ghost” is not as common as “pale as a ghost”.

However, it's used.

Alternatively, maybe Q. a bone is intended.

But let’s check other similes first.

Let’s try to complete all:

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Now let’s go step by step, matching based on common idioms:

1. as strong as → H. an ox ✔
(Common: “strong as an ox”)

2. as light as → A. a feather ✔
(“light as a feather”)

3. as busy as → J. a bee ✔
(“busy as a bee”)

4. as quiet as → K. a ghost ✔
(“quiet as a ghost” — though “quiet as a mouse” is also common)

But B. a mouse is also an option.

“Quiet as a mouse” is more common than “quiet as a ghost”.

So perhaps:
- 4. as quiet as → B. a mouse ✔

Then K. a ghost can be used for another?

But “as quiet as a ghost” is less common.

So let’s change:

- 4. as quiet as → B. a mouse ✔

Then K. a ghost → maybe for “as white as”?

But “as white as a ghost” — okay.

But let’s see.

Wait — “as quiet as a mouse” is standard.

So:
- 4. as quiet as → B. a mouse

Then K. a ghost is free.

But “as white as a ghost” — used, but not top choice.

Back to 7. as white as — best match: Q. a bone or R. ice?

“As white as a bone” — not common.

“As white as ice” — rare.

But “as white as snow” — not here.

Perhaps the intended answer is Q. a bone.

But let’s look at 17. as flat as → G. a pancake ✔
(“flat as a pancake” — common)

So:
- 17. as flat as → G. a pancake

Now 7. as white as — only options left: Q. a bone, R. ice, K. a ghost

But R. ice is likely for “as cold as”

So:
- 19. as cold as → R. ice ✔

Then 7. as white as → Q. a bone or K. a ghost

“As white as a bone” — okay.

But “as white as a ghost” — also okay.

But “as white as a sheet” is better.

Given choices, Q. a bone might be intended.

But let’s see if there’s a better fit.

Wait — S. a grape? Grape is purple — no.

L. a beet? Red.

So only possibilities are Q. a bone, K. a ghost, R. ice

But R. ice is taken.

So between Q. a bone and K. a ghost

“As white as a bone” — rare.

“As white as a ghost” — more common in context of pallor.

But “as white as a ghost” is used.

So maybe:
- 7. as white as → K. a ghost

But then 4. as quiet as → B. a mouse — better.

So let’s proceed.

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Let’s make a full list with logic:

| Number | Simile | Match | Reason |
|--------|---------------------|--------------|-------|
| 1. | as strong as | H. an ox | Oxen are strong |
| 2. | as light as | A. a feather | Light as a feather |
| 3. | as busy as | J. a bee | Busy as a bee |
| 4. | as quiet as | B. a mouse | Quiet as a mouse |
| 5. | as quick as | F. a flash | Quick as a flash |
| 6. | as dry as | Q. a bone | Dry as a bone |
| 7. | as white as | K. a ghost | White as a ghost (pale) |
| 8. | as red as | L. a beet | Red as a beet |
| 9. | as black as | E. night | Black as night |
| 10. | as big as | N. the ocean | Big as the ocean |
| 11. | as slippery as | T. a fish | Slippery as a fish |
| 12. | as purple as | S. a grape | Purple as a grape |
| 13. | as sweet as | P. candy | Sweet as candy |
| 14. | as slow as | M. a snail | Slow as a snail |
| 15. | as bright as | C. the sun | Bright as the sun |
| 16. | as wise as | D. an owl | Wise as an owl |
| 17. | as flat as | G. a pancake | Flat as a pancake |
| 18. | as brave as | I. a lion | Brave as a lion |
| 19. | as cold as | R. ice | Cold as ice |
| 20. | as sharp as | O. a knife | Sharp as a knife |

Wait — O. a knife is unused.

So:
- 20. as sharp as → O. a knife ✔

Now check all:

- A. a feather → 2. as light as ✔
- B. a mouse → 4. as quiet as ✔
- C. the sun → 15. as bright as ✔
- D. an owl → 16. as wise as ✔
- E. night → 9. as black as ✔
- F. a flash → 5. as quick as ✔
- G. a pancake → 17. as flat as ✔
- H. an ox → 1. as strong as ✔
- I. a lion → 18. as brave as ✔
- J. a bee → 3. as busy as ✔
- K. a ghost → 7. as white as ✔
- L. a beet → 8. as red as ✔
- M. a snail → 14. as slow as ✔
- N. the ocean → 10. as big as ✔
- O. a knife → 20. as sharp as ✔
- P. candy → 13. as sweet as ✔
- Q. a bone → 6. as dry as ✔
- R. ice → 19. as cold as ✔
- S. a grape → 12. as purple as ✔
- T. a fish → 11. as slippery as ✔

All 20 items are matched.

Now verify each:

1. as strong as an ox ✔
2. as light as a feather ✔
3. as busy as a bee ✔
4. as quiet as a mouse ✔
5. as quick as a flash ✔
6. as dry as a bone ✔
7. as white as a ghost — acceptable (though less common than “as white as snow”) ✔
8. as red as a beet ✔
9. as black as night ✔
10. as big as the ocean ✔
11. as slippery as a fish ✔
12. as purple as a grape ✔
13. as sweet as candy ✔
14. as slow as a snail ✔
15. as bright as the sun ✔
16. as wise as an owl ✔
17. as flat as a pancake ✔
18. as brave as a lion ✔
19. as cold as ice ✔
20. as sharp as a knife ✔

All matches are correct and follow common English idioms.

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✔ Final Answer:

| Number | Simile | Match |
|--------|--------------------|-------|
| 1. | as strong as | H |
| 2. | as light as | A |
| 3. | as busy as | J |
| 4. | as quiet as | B |
| 5. | as quick as | F |
| 6. | as dry as | Q |
| 7. | as white as | K |
| 8. | as red as | L |
| 9. | as black as | E |
| 10. | as big as | N |
| 11. | as slippery as | T |
| 12. | as purple as | S |
| 13. | as sweet as | P |
| 14. | as slow as | M |
| 15. | as bright as | C |
| 16. | as wise as | D |
| 17. | as flat as | G |
| 18. | as brave as | I |
| 19. | as cold as | R |
| 20. | as sharp as | O |

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🟩 Explanation:

Each simile is matched with a common English idiom. The key is recognizing familiar expressions like "strong as an ox", "quick as a flash", "quiet as a mouse", etc. Some, like "as white as a ghost", are less common but still valid in context. All matches are logical and idiomatic.