Literary devices worksheet - Free Printable

Let’s go through each sentence and match it with the correct literary device.

First, let’s remember what each device means:

- Metaphor: Saying something *is* something else (not using “like” or “as”).
- Simile: Comparing two things using “like” or “as”.
- Hyperbole: An exaggeration for effect.
- Onomatopoeia: Words that sound like what they mean (e.g., buzz, bark).
- Alliteration: Repeating the same starting sound in nearby words.
- Personification: Giving human traits to non-human things.

Now, let’s match each sentence:

1. Books are the keys to your imagination.
→ This says books *are* keys — no “like” or “as”. That’s a metaphor.

2. Gah! Her voice sounds like nails on a chalkboard!
→ Uses “like” to compare voice to nails on chalkboard → simile.

3. He is a walking dictionary.
→ Says he *is* a dictionary → metaphor.

4. Her tears were a river flowing down her cheeks.
→ Tears *were* a river → metaphor.

5. I think my grandfather is as old as these hills!
→ Uses “as...as” → simile.

6. In our eighth grade concert, we shone like stars.
→ Uses “like” → simile.

7. Bark-Bark! Bark! The dog woke me up.
→ “Bark” sounds like a dog barking → onomatopoeia.

8. I ate a ton of food for dinner.
→ “A ton” is an exaggeration → hyperbole.

9. Buzz-The bee buzzed in my ear.
→ “Buzz” sounds like the bee → onomatopoeia.

10. It seems to have been raining for 40 days and 40 nights.
→ Exaggerating how long it rained → hyperbole.

11. He runs like a horse.
→ Uses “like” → simile.

12. Sally sells seashells by the sea shore.
→ Repeating “s” sound → alliteration.

13. That child is a bear when he is sleepy.
→ Says child *is* a bear → metaphor.

14. That little girl is as sweet as sugar.
→ Uses “as...as” → simile.

15. The curtains danced in the breeze.
→ Curtains can’t dance — giving them human action → personification.

✔ All matched correctly.

Final Answer:
1. METAPHOR
2. SIMILE
3. METAPHOR
4. METAPHOR
5. SIMILE
6. SIMILE
7. ONOMATOPOEIA
8. HYPERBOLE
9. ONOMATOPOEIA
10. HYPERBOLE
11. SIMILE
12. ALLITERATION
13. METAPHOR
14. SIMILE
15. PERSONIFICATION