Figurative Speaking worksheet for students to practice identifying and using metaphors, similes, personification, and hyperbole.

Let’s go through the task step by step.

The worksheet is about figurative language — specifically similes, metaphors, hyperbole, and personification.
You’re asked to complete each sentence using at least two of these techniques.
Then, label each sentence with S (simile), M (metaphor), H (hyperbole), or P (personification) — or a combination like “S, P” if you used more than one.

Let’s look at what each term means:

- Simile (S): Compares two things using “like” or “as”.
Example: “She runs like a cheetah.”

- Metaphor (M): Says one thing IS another (no “like” or “as”).
Example: “Time is a thief.”

- Hyperbole (H): An extreme exaggeration for effect.
Example: “I’ve told you a million times!”

- Personification (P): Gives human traits to non-human things.
Example: “The wind whispered my name.”

Now, let’s complete each sentence with at least two types of figurative language.

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1. Everyone was so exhausted by the end of the day that
→ They could’ve slept for a hundred years (hyperbole) and their eyelids were heavy as lead weights (simile + metaphor).
Label: H, S, M → But we only need to label what we used. Let’s simplify:
“Everyone was so exhausted by the end of the day that they could’ve slept for a hundred years and their eyelids were lead.”
→ Hyperbole (“hundred years”) + Metaphor (“eyelids were lead”)
Label: H, M

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2. Slowly meandering through the countryside, the river
→ The river danced lazily over smooth stones (personification) and sang a lullaby to the willows (personification again — but we can add simile too).
Better: “Slowly meandering through the countryside, the river danced like a sleepy dancer and whispered secrets to the trees.”
→ Simile (“like a sleepy dancer”) + Personification (“danced”, “whispered”)
Label: S, P

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3. The frigid winter air
→ The frigid winter air bit like a pack of wolves (simile) and was an icy fist squeezing the breath from our lungs (metaphor).
Label: S, M

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4. The dilapidated house at the end of the lane
→ The dilapidated house at the end of the lane groaned in the wind (personification) and stood like a forgotten ghost (simile).
Label: P, S

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5. Suddenly the players became
→ Suddenly the players became a roaring storm (metaphor) and moved like lightning across the field (simile).
Label: M, S

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6. Our refrigerator
→ Our refrigerator hummed a tired tune all night (personification) and was a freezing cave inside (metaphor).
Label: P, M

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7. The ancient California redwoods
→ The ancient California redwoods stood like silent giants (simile) and watched over the forest with wise, mossy eyes (personification).
Label: S, P

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8. By evening, a gentle summer breeze
→ By evening, a gentle summer breeze kissed our cheeks (personification) and felt like silk against our skin (simile).
Label: P, S

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9. After working out on the sun too long without sunscreen, her skin
→ After working out on the sun too long without sunscreen, her skin was a blazing brick (metaphor) and burned like a thousand tiny needles (simile + hyperbole).
We can say: “her skin was a blazing brick and screamed in pain” → metaphor + personification.
Or: “her skin was a flaming torch and felt like it had been dipped in fire” → metaphor + simile.
Let’s go with: “her skin was a flaming torch and cried out in protest” → metaphor + personification.
Label: M, P

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Final Answers (one possible set):

1. H, M
2. S, P
3. S, M
4. P, S
5. M, S
6. P, M
7. S, P
8. P, S
9. M, P

*(Note: There are many correct answers — as long as you use at least two types per sentence and label them correctly.)*

Final Answer:
1. H, M
2. S, P
3. S, M
4. P, S
5. M, S
6. P, M
7. S, P
8. P, S
9. M, P