In English, similes are comparisons and are useful when writing creatively and constructing poetry. Let your imagination run riot and make up your own similes!
We have a tendency to think metaphorically. Can you spot the two metaphors in the sentences above? One is in the phrase "construct poetry", which imagines poetry as a building and the individual lines as the materials with which a poem is constructed. The other is in the phrase "let your imagination run riot", which compares the abstract imagination to an unfettered person or animal giving in to every whim, careless of potential destruction. This is also an example of personification, which is always metaphorical.
Similes, like metaphor, compare one thing to another, but always make the comparison explicit. Using similes rather than metaphor would look something like this: "She constructed her poem like a building, the poem's form like a frame, the lines like the building blocks." Or this: "Let your imagination run riot, like an unbridled horse in a vast prairie". Metaphor gives the reader the opportunity to imagine the comparison individually, whereas simile requires the writer to make the comparison more explicit.
See how well you know your similes by playing both this and Similes 01.
1.
|
Which sentence contains a simile? |
|
[ ] |
The moon looked like a ghostly galleon |
[ ] |
The moon was a ghostly galleon |
[ ] |
The moon was a silver globe |
[ ] |
The moon was pale and silver |
|
|
2.
|
Which sentence contains a simile? |
|
[ ] |
The apples were as green as grass |
[ ] |
The apples were green and red |
[ ] |
The apples were green |
[ ] |
The apples were large and green |
|
|
3.
|
Which sentence contains a simile? |
|
[ ] |
The mountain air smelled as fresh as daisies |
[ ] |
The mountain air smelled clean and fresh |
[ ] |
The mountain air smelled clear and fresh |
[ ] |
The mountain air smelled fresh |
|
|
4.
|
Which sentence contains a simile? |
|
[ ] |
Algebra is about pi |
[ ] |
Algebra is as easy as pie |
[ ] |
Algebra is not easy |
[ ] |
Algebra uses pi for calculations |
|
|
5.
|
Which sentence contains a simile? |
|
[ ] |
The boy looked ill; he was pale and tired |
[ ] |
The boy looked pale and ill |
[ ] |
The boy looked pale and tired |
[ ] |
The boy looked pale; he was as white as a sheet |
|
|
6.
|
Which sentence contains a simile? |
|
[ ] |
It had not rained in the desert |
[ ] |
The desert ground was dry |
[ ] |
The desert was as dry as a bone |
[ ] |
There was no water in the desert |
|
|
7.
|
Which sentence contains a simile? |
|
[ ] |
After the storm the sea became calm as a millpond |
[ ] |
After the storm the sea became calm |
[ ] |
After the storm the sea was calm |
[ ] |
After the storm the waves subsided and all was calm |
|
|
8.
|
Which sentence contains a simile? |
|
[ ] |
The ancient book was kept under lock and key |
[ ] |
The book in the library was as old as the hills |
[ ] |
The book in the library was kept under lock and key |
[ ] |
The old book was locked in the library |
|
|
9.
|
Which sentence contains a simile? |
|
[ ] |
The twins were as different as chalk from cheese |
[ ] |
The twins were eating cheese |
[ ] |
The twins were identical |
[ ] |
The twins were not identical |
|
|
10.
|
Which sentence contains a simile? |
|
[ ] |
He did not win the race; he came last |
[ ] |
He did not win the race; he ran slowly |
[ ] |
He did not win the race; he was as slow as a snail |
[ ] |
He did not win the race; he was too slow |
|
|
1.
|
Which sentence contains a simile? |
|
[x] |
The moon looked like a ghostly galleon |
[ ] |
The moon was a ghostly galleon |
[ ] |
The moon was a silver globe |
[ ] |
The moon was pale and silver |
|
|
2.
|
Which sentence contains a simile? |
|
[x] |
The apples were as green as grass |
[ ] |
The apples were green and red |
[ ] |
The apples were green |
[ ] |
The apples were large and green |
|
|
3.
|
Which sentence contains a simile? |
|
[x] |
The mountain air smelled as fresh as daisies |
[ ] |
The mountain air smelled clean and fresh |
[ ] |
The mountain air smelled clear and fresh |
[ ] |
The mountain air smelled fresh |
|
|
4.
|
Which sentence contains a simile? |
|
[ ] |
Algebra is about pi |
[x] |
Algebra is as easy as pie |
[ ] |
Algebra is not easy |
[ ] |
Algebra uses pi for calculations |
|
|
5.
|
Which sentence contains a simile? |
|
[ ] |
The boy looked ill; he was pale and tired |
[ ] |
The boy looked pale and ill |
[ ] |
The boy looked pale and tired |
[x] |
The boy looked pale; he was as white as a sheet |
|
|
6.
|
Which sentence contains a simile? |
|
[ ] |
It had not rained in the desert |
[ ] |
The desert ground was dry |
[x] |
The desert was as dry as a bone |
[ ] |
There was no water in the desert |
|
|
7.
|
Which sentence contains a simile? |
|
[x] |
After the storm the sea became calm as a millpond |
[ ] |
After the storm the sea became calm |
[ ] |
After the storm the sea was calm |
[ ] |
After the storm the waves subsided and all was calm |
|
|
8.
|
Which sentence contains a simile? |
|
[ ] |
The ancient book was kept under lock and key |
[x] |
The book in the library was as old as the hills |
[ ] |
The book in the library was kept under lock and key |
[ ] |
The old book was locked in the library |
|
|
9.
|
Which sentence contains a simile? |
|
[x] |
The twins were as different as chalk from cheese |
[ ] |
The twins were eating cheese |
[ ] |
The twins were identical |
[ ] |
The twins were not identical |
|
|
10.
|
Which sentence contains a simile? |
|
[ ] |
He did not win the race; he came last |
[ ] |
He did not win the race; he ran slowly |
[x] |
He did not win the race; he was as slow as a snail |
[ ] |
He did not win the race; he was too slow |
|
|