Figurative Language Worksheets | Reading Activities - Free Printable

Let’s go through each question one by one. We’ll figure out which figurative language technique is being used — simile, metaphor, hyperbole, or personification — and then explain how we know.

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Question 1: “Like burnt-out torches by a sick man's bed”

Step 1: Look for clue words. The word “like” is right at the beginning. That’s a big hint!

Step 2: Similes use “like” or “as” to compare two things. Here, something (probably stars or lights) is being compared to “burnt-out torches.”

Step 3: It’s not saying they *are* torches — it says they are *like* them. So that’s a simile.

✔ Technique: Simile

How do you figure?
The word “like” tells us this is a comparison using “like,” which makes it a simile.

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Question 2: “Drip—hiss—drip—hiss fall the raindrops / on the oaken log which burns, and steams, and smokes the ceiling beams. / Drip—hiss—the rain never stops.”

Step 1: Listen to the sounds. “Drip—hiss—drip—hiss” repeats over and over. That’s called repetition, but we’re looking for simile, metaphor, hyperbole, or personification.

Step 2: Is anything given human traits? Not really. Rain doesn’t act like a person here.

Step 3: Is there exaggeration? “The rain never stops” — that might be an exaggeration. In real life, rain usually stops eventually. Saying it “never stops” could be hyperbole.

Step 4: Also, “hiss” is a sound usually made by snakes or steam — giving rain a snake-like sound isn’t literal. But since it’s not comparing with “like” or “as,” and not saying rain *is* a snake, maybe it’s just imagery. Wait — actually, “hiss” is personifying the rain? No… hiss is a sound, not necessarily human.

But “the rain never stops” — that’s likely hyperbole, because it’s exaggerated for effect.

✔ Technique: Hyperbole

How do you figure?
Saying “the rain never stops” is an exaggeration — in reality, rain does stop sometimes — so that’s hyperbole.

*(Note: Some might argue “hiss” is onomatopoeia, but that’s not one of the options. Among the four choices, hyperbole fits best.)*

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Question 3: “When the stars threw down their spears, / And water'd heaven with their tears,”

Step 1: Stars don’t have hands to throw spears. They also don’t cry tears. These are human actions.

Step 2: Giving human actions (throwing, crying) to non-human things (stars) = personification.

Step 3: Also, “water’d heaven with their tears” — again, stars can’t cry. Definitely personification.

✔ Technique: Personification

How do you figure?
Stars are described as throwing spears and crying tears — things only humans (or living beings) can do — so this is personification.

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**Question 4: “The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas,
The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor,”**

Step 1: First line — “The moon was a ghostly galleon...” → This is saying the moon IS a ship (galleon). No “like” or “as” — so it’s a metaphor.

Step 2: Second line — “The road was a ribbon...” → Again, saying the road IS a ribbon. Another metaphor.

Step 3: Both lines are metaphors — direct comparisons without “like” or “as”.

✔ Technique: Metaphor

How do you figure?
The poem says the moon “was” a galleon and the road “was” a ribbon — these are direct comparisons without using “like” or “as,” so they are metaphors.

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Final Answer:

1. Simile — because it uses “like” to compare something to burnt-out torches.
2. Hyperbole — because “the rain never stops” is an exaggeration.
3. Personification — because stars are given human actions like throwing spears and crying tears.
4. Metaphor — because it directly says the moon “was” a galleon and the road “was” a ribbon.