Similes Worksheets | Similes or Metaphors Worksheet - Free Printable

Let's solve the "Similes or Metaphors Worksheet (Part 1)" step by step.

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🔹 Understanding the Definitions:

- Metaphor: A direct comparison using "is," "was," "are," or "were." It says one thing is another.
- Example: *"The noise at the concert is music to his ears."* → This is a metaphor because it directly says the noise is music.

- Simile: A comparison using "like" or "as...as".
- Example: *"He runs as fast as the wind."* → This is a simile because it uses "as...as."

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Now, let’s go through each sentence:

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✔ Answers with Explanations:

1. That man is an ogre.
- Subjects compared: man, ogre
- Type: Metaphor
- Explanation: It directly states the man is an ogre — no "like" or "as" used. Direct comparison = metaphor.

2. He is as smart as a fox.
- Subjects compared: He, a fox
- Type: Simile
- Explanation: Uses "as...as" structure → simile.

3. The football player is a giant.
- Subjects compared: football player, giant
- Type: Metaphor
- Explanation: Directly says he is a giant — metaphor.

4. My abs are hard like a rock.
- Subjects compared: abs, rock
- Type: Simile
- Explanation: Uses "like" → simile.

5. That girl is very bright.
- Subjects compared: girl, bright (but not comparing to something specific)
- Type: Neither (Not a simile or metaphor)
- Wait! Let’s double-check: Is this a figure of speech?
- "Bright" here is likely literal (intelligent), not a comparison to light or anything else.
- No comparison made → Not a simile or metaphor
- But the instruction says to circle two subjects being compared — but there is no actual comparison here.
- So, no valid comparison → Not applicable
- However, if we interpret “bright” as a metaphor for intelligence, it might be implied, but it's not explicit.
- Answer: No comparison → Not a simile or metaphor
- But since the worksheet expects an answer, perhaps it's intended to be interpreted as "the girl is bright like the sun" — but that's not what it says.
- Best Answer: No comparison / Not applicable
- But in most classroom contexts, this would be considered not a figure of speech.
- So: No subjects compared / Neither

6. The boy is a volcano ready to explode.
- Subjects compared: boy, volcano
- Type: Metaphor
- Explanation: Says the boy is a volcano — direct comparison = metaphor.

7. He is quick as a cat.
- Subjects compared: He, cat
- Type: Simile
- Explanation: Uses "as...as" → simile.

8. My student is an angel.
- Subjects compared: student, angel
- Type: Metaphor
- Explanation: Directly says the student is an angel → metaphor.

9. Please do not cry like a baby.
- Subjects compared: you (implied), baby
- Type: Simile
- Explanation: Uses "like" → simile.

10. The boy runs like the wind.
- Subjects compared: boy, wind
- Type: Simile
- Explanation: Uses "like" → simile.

11. He has a heart of a lion.
- Subjects compared: heart, lion
- Type: Metaphor
- Explanation: "Heart of a lion" means brave — it's a metaphor because it says the heart is like a lion's (though phrased as "of a lion").
- Note: Even though it doesn’t use "is," it implies the heart is a lion’s heart → metaphor.

12. My teacher told me that ideas are wings.
- Subjects compared: ideas, wings
- Type: Metaphor
- Explanation: "Ideas are wings" → direct comparison using "are" → metaphor.

13. His mind is as sharp as a samurai’s sword.
- Subjects compared: mind, samurai’s sword
- Type: Simile
- Explanation: Uses "as...as" → simile.

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✔ Final Answers:

| # | Sentence | Subjects Compared | Type |
|---|--------|------------------|------|
| 1 | That man is an ogre. | man, ogre | Metaphor |
| 2 | He is as smart as a fox. | He, fox | Simile |
| 3 | The football player is a giant. | football player, giant | Metaphor |
| 4 | My abs are hard like a rock. | abs, rock | Simile |
| 5 | That girl is very bright. | No comparison | Neither (Not a simile or metaphor) |
| 6 | The boy is a volcano ready to explode. | boy, volcano | Metaphor |
| 7 | He is quick as a cat. | He, cat | Simile |
| 8 | My student is an angel. | student, angel | Metaphor |
| 9 | Please do not cry like a baby. | you (implied), baby | Simile |
| 10 | The boy runs like the wind. | boy, wind | Simile |
| 11 | He has a heart of a lion. | heart, lion | Metaphor |
| 12 | My teacher told me that ideas are wings. | ideas, wings | Metaphor |
| 13 | His mind is as sharp as a samurai’s sword. | mind, samurai’s sword | Simile |

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📝 Summary of Answers to Fill In:

1. man, ogre / Metaphor
2. He, fox / Simile
3. football player, giant / Metaphor
4. abs, rock / Simile
5. No comparison / Neither *(Note: Some teachers may accept "girl, brightness" but it's not a true comparison)*
6. boy, volcano / Metaphor
7. He, cat / Simile
8. student, angel / Metaphor
9. you, baby / Simile
10. boy, wind / Simile
11. heart, lion / Metaphor
12. ideas, wings / Metaphor
13. mind, samurai’s sword / Simile

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✔ Final Tip: Always look for:
- "like" or "as...as" → Simile
- "is", "was", "are", "were" with direct comparison → Metaphor

Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a completed worksheet!