Metaphors worksheet - Free Printable

Let's solve this step by step.

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Exercise A: Identify the two things being compared in each metaphor

A metaphor directly compares two unlike things by stating one is the other. We need to identify the two concepts being compared.

1. Learning is a piece of cake.
→ learning, cake
*(Example already given)*

2. The security officer is a dragon.
→ security officer, dragon
*(Comparing the officer to a fierce, intimidating creature)*

3. His laughter is music to my ears.
→ laughter, music
*(Saying his laugh sounds pleasant, like music)*

4. I’m drowning in work.
→ work, water (drowning)
*(Work is overwhelming, like being submerged in water)*

5. He is a couch potato.
→ he, couch potato
*(Describing someone who is lazy and spends a lot of time sitting on the couch)*

6. Red velvet cake is heaven.
→ red velvet cake, heaven
*(Saying the cake is extremely delicious, like paradise)*

7. Money is the root of all evil.
→ money, root of all evil
*(Suggesting that money causes problems or bad behavior)*

8. You are an angel.
→ you, angel
*(Saying the person is kind, pure, or helpful)*

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Exercise B: Match each metaphor to its meaning

Now, choose the correct meaning from the list provided.

Given meanings:
- He is not active.
- Red velvet cake tastes good.
- I love when he laughs.
- It’s easy to learn
- You are kind.
- Money causes problems.
- The security officer is fierce.
- I have a lot of work.

Now match:

1. Learning is a piece of cake.
→ It’s easy to learn
*(“Piece of cake” means something very easy)*

2. The security officer is a dragon.
→ The security officer is fierce.
*(Dragons are fierce creatures; implies the officer is intimidating or strict)*

3. His laughter is music to my ears.
→ I love when he laughs.
*(Saying his laugh is pleasing, so you enjoy it)*

4. I’m drowning in work.
→ I have a lot of work.
*(“Drowning” implies being overwhelmed with work)*

5. He is a couch potato.
→ He is not active.
*(Couch potato = someone who doesn’t move much, lazy)*

6. Red velvet cake is heaven.
→ Red velvet cake tastes good.
*(Says the cake is wonderful, like paradise)*

7. Money is the root of all evil.
→ Money causes problems.
*(Classic saying meaning money leads to greed and bad behavior)*

8. You are an angel.
→ You are kind.
*(Angels are seen as kind, helpful, and pure)*

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✔ Final Answers:

#### Exercise A:
1. learning, cake
2. security officer, dragon
3. laughter, music
4. work, water (or "work" and "drowning") — but best as: work, drowning
5. he, couch potato
6. red velvet cake, heaven
7. money, root of all evil
8. you, angel

*(Note: For #4, “drowning” is a metaphorical state, so we compare “work” to the experience of drowning.)*

#### Exercise B:
1. It’s easy to learn
2. The security officer is fierce.
3. I love when he laughs.
4. I have a lot of work.
5. He is not active.
6. Red velvet cake tastes good.
7. Money causes problems.
8. You are kind.

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✔ Explanation Summary:
Metaphors make comparisons without using "like" or "as." They help express ideas vividly. In Exercise A, we find the two subjects being compared. In Exercise B, we interpret what the metaphor really means in plain language. This builds understanding of figurative language in English.