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Metaphors
The boy had 'ears like bombs'!

Metaphors

Ever said “Time is a thief”? That’s a metaphor! This KS2 English quiz helps you understand how metaphors make writing more vivid, creative, and fun to read.

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Fascinating Fact:

When someone says “Time is a thief,” it means time sneaks away quickly, not that it steals your snacks.

In KS2 English, pupils learn about metaphors — powerful figures of speech that compare one thing to another without using “like” or “as.” Metaphors bring language to life and help readers picture ideas more clearly.

  • Metaphor: A way of describing something by saying it is something else, like “The classroom was a zoo.”
  • Simile: A comparison using “like” or “as,” such as “as busy as a bee.”
  • Imagery: Descriptive language that helps readers imagine what something looks, sounds, or feels like.
What is a metaphor in KS2 English?

A metaphor is when you describe something as being something else to create a vivid picture, like saying “The moon was a silver coin in the sky.”

What is the difference between a metaphor and a simile?

A simile uses “like” or “as” to compare things, while a metaphor says one thing is another. For example, “Her smile was sunshine” is a metaphor.

Why do writers use metaphors?

Writers use metaphors to make descriptions stronger, add emotion, and help readers see familiar things in new and imaginative ways.

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1 .
Which of these is NOT a metaphor?
The sky was a blanket of clouds.
The sea was a roaring tiger.
She stood as still as a statue.
The lake was a mirror, perfectly reflecting the shoreline.
'As still as a statue' is a simile.
2 .
Complete this metaphor: She showed no sympathy or feelings for others, her heart was a ____.
night star.
golden locket.
stone.
lively spring.
Poets enjoy using metaphors for the heart - a heart can also be a 'closed book' or a 'traitor'!
3 .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
The trees snapped like matchsticks.
He crept as quietly as a mouse.
He crept quietly like a mouse.
The trees were matchsticks, snapping in the fierce winds.
All the other answers have the words 'like' or 'as a' which should have given you a big clue!
4 .
Complete this metaphor: The stars were glittering ____ in the sky.
dustily
like jewels
like gold
diamonds
The second and third answers are similes.
5 .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
The cat slipped through the grass like a stealthy tiger.
The cat was a stealthy tiger, slipping through the long grass.
The cat was as stealthy as a tiger.
The cat slipped through the grass as stealthily as a tiger.
These phrases: 'as ... as' and 'like a...', belong to similes. A metaphor explains that a thing or person IS something else, rather than like something else.
6 .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
The ship ploughed through the waves.
Suddenly, the dancer wobbled like a top.
The kitten cried like a baby.
The moon shone as bright as the sun.
The other answers are similes.
7 .
Complete this metaphor: The narrow road ____ its way through the mountain pass.
lost
wriggled
snaked
continued on
Each of the answers works in the sentence, but only 'snaked' creates a metaphor - the road 'is' a snake.
8 .
Complete this metaphor: In the stadium, the cheering crowd was a ____ of blue.
sea
collection
sky
pile
'A sky of blue' doesn't go with the 'cheering crowd'.
9 .
Complete this metaphor: With its locked doors and tiny window, the dark, cold room was a ____.
prison.
library.
classroom.
palace.
If you imagine being in that room, which of the four answers best fits?
10 .
Which of these is NOT a metaphor?
A thick blanket of snow lay over the hills.
A fleece of snow had covered the field overnight.
Snow covered the hills like a blanket.
The field was a carpet of daisies.
In the first two answers, snow is 'a thick blanket' or 'a fleece'. In the fourth answer, the field is 'a carpet'.
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - What are metaphors and similes?

Author:  Sheri Smith (PhD English Literature, English Teacher & Quiz Writer)

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