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English Language: Elementary School: Grades 3, 4 and 5 Quiz - Grade 4 Language - Metaphors and Similes 1 (Questions)

This English Language quiz is called 'Metaphors and Similes 1' and it has been written by teachers to help you if you are studying the subject at elementary school. Playing educational quizzes is an enjoyable way to learn if you are in the 3rd, 4th or 5th grade - aged 8 to 11.

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A metaphor is a figure of speech. In his poem 'Timothy Winters', the poet Charles Causley describes a boy with 'ears like bombs', 'teeth like splinters' and 'eyes as wide as a football pool'. These similes are soon followed by a surprising metaphor: 'his hair is an exclamation mark'.

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Similes make interesting comparisons, but metaphors can be more effective because a metaphor says that an object or person is actually something else. Can you tell the difference between a simile and a metaphor?

Stories and poems become more interesting and 'alive' when you begin to use metaphors and similes. Next time you write something, try to add one of each.

Challenge yourself with this English quiz.

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1. What is the meaning of the simile in the sentence below?
My pencil was as sharp as a tack after I sharpened it.
[ ] The pencil was dull.
[ ] The pencil was very sharp.
[ ] The pencil needed sharpening.
[ ] The pencil was about to break.
2. What is the meaning of the simile in the sentence below?
Since I began swimming at a young age, I can now swim like a shark.
[ ] I have been swimming for a long time.
[ ] I hate to swim.
[ ] I will swim for a long time.
[ ] I am a good swimmer.
3. What is the meaning of the simile in the sentence below?
David was as sick as a dog, so he came home from school.
[ ] David wants to be sick.
[ ] David looks like a dog.
[ ] David is very sick.
[ ] David came home from school.
4. What is the meaning of the metaphor in the sentence below?
The young man had a heart of gold when he helped the old woman cross the street in the rain.
[ ] The young man has a heart problem.
[ ] The young man is carrying gold in his pocket.
[ ] The young man is kind and nice.
[ ] The young man has a piece of gold that is shaped like a heart.
5. Which of the following is a metaphor?
[ ] The ship plowed through the waves.
[ ] Suddenly, the dancer wobbled like a top.
[ ] The kitten cried like a baby.
[ ] The moon shone as bright as the sun.
6. Complete this metaphor: With its locked doors and tiny window, the dark, cold room was a ____.
[ ] prison.
[ ] library.
[ ] classroom.
[ ] palace.
7. Complete this metaphor: She showed no sympathy or feelings for others, her heart was a ____.
[ ] night star.
[ ] golden locket.
[ ] stone.
[ ] lively spring.
8. What is the meaning of the metaphor in the sentence below?
When the boy saw the car accident, his legs were Jello.
[ ] The boy’s legs were weak.
[ ] The boy had Jello stuck to his legs.
[ ] The boy loved to eat Jello.
[ ] The boy’s legs had a lot of fat on them.
9. What is the meaning of the metaphor in the sentence below?
The sea was a shining diamond.
[ ] The sea cost a lot of money.
[ ] The sea was not the color blue.
[ ] The sea sparkled.
[ ] The sea had diamonds in it.
10. What is the meaning of the metaphor in the sentence below?
The white blanket of snow could be seen from my window.
[ ] The snow is very white.
[ ] The snow is nearby.
[ ] The snow is slippery.
[ ] The snow covers a lot of the land.
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English Language: Elementary School: Grades 3, 4 and 5 Quiz - Grade 4 Language - Metaphors and Similes 1 (Answers)
1. What is the meaning of the simile in the sentence below?
My pencil was as sharp as a tack after I sharpened it.
[ ] The pencil was dull.
[x] The pencil was very sharp.
[ ] The pencil needed sharpening.
[ ] The pencil was about to break.
The sentence is comparing a pencil with a tack because it is sharp.
2. What is the meaning of the simile in the sentence below?
Since I began swimming at a young age, I can now swim like a shark.
[ ] I have been swimming for a long time.
[ ] I hate to swim.
[ ] I will swim for a long time.
[x] I am a good swimmer.
The narrator is a good swimmer just like a shark is.
3. What is the meaning of the simile in the sentence below?
David was as sick as a dog, so he came home from school.
[ ] David wants to be sick.
[ ] David looks like a dog.
[x] David is very sick.
[ ] David came home from school.
The simile means that David is sick.
4. What is the meaning of the metaphor in the sentence below?
The young man had a heart of gold when he helped the old woman cross the street in the rain.
[ ] The young man has a heart problem.
[ ] The young man is carrying gold in his pocket.
[x] The young man is kind and nice.
[ ] The young man has a piece of gold that is shaped like a heart.
A heart of gold means that the person is very nice.
5. Which of the following is a metaphor?
[x] The ship plowed 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.
6. Complete this metaphor: With its locked doors and tiny window, the dark, cold room was a ____.
[x] prison.
[ ] library.
[ ] classroom.
[ ] palace.
If you imagine being in that room, which of the four answers best fits?
7. Complete this metaphor: She showed no sympathy or feelings for others, her heart was a ____.
[ ] night star.
[ ] golden locket.
[x] stone.
[ ] lively spring.
Poets enjoy using metaphors for the heart - a heart can also be a 'closed book' or a 'traitor'!
8. What is the meaning of the metaphor in the sentence below?
When the boy saw the car accident, his legs were Jello.
[x] The boy’s legs were weak.
[ ] The boy had Jello stuck to his legs.
[ ] The boy loved to eat Jello.
[ ] The boy’s legs had a lot of fat on them.
The boy’s legs were shaking and weak like Jello.
9. What is the meaning of the metaphor in the sentence below?
The sea was a shining diamond.
[ ] The sea cost a lot of money.
[ ] The sea was not the color blue.
[x] The sea sparkled.
[ ] The sea had diamonds in it.
The sea and diamonds are both sparkling.
10. What is the meaning of the metaphor in the sentence below?
The white blanket of snow could be seen from my window.
[ ] The snow is very white.
[ ] The snow is nearby.
[ ] The snow is slippery.
[x] The snow covers a lot of the land.
Just like a blanket, the snow covers.