Looking to elevate your creative writing? Our Metaphors and Similes Exercises Quiz invites writers, students, and teachers to sharpen simile and metaphor practice, discover clear metaphor answers, and enjoy a playful simile vs metaphor game - all for free. You'll identify figures of speech in context, transform literal statements into vivid comparisons, track your progress with instant feedback, and boost your confidence with each correct answer. Use it as a personal warm-up, a teaching tool, or a creative brainstorm to enrich every line you write. Explore hands-on figurative language practice and dive into curated poetry and figurative language examples to spark fresh inspiration. Perfect for anyone prepping for a literary devices quiz, this friendly challenge tests your skills and powers up your wordplay. Start now and watch your imagery shine!
Which of the following sentences contains a simile?
Her smile was like the sun.
He is the black sheep of the family.
Her smile was the sun.
Time is a thief.
A simile directly compares two things using "like" or "as". "Her smile was like the sun" uses "like," making it a simile. The other options are metaphors or idioms without that comparative word. Learn more about similes.
Which sentence employs a metaphor?
He ran like the wind.
She is a night owl.
He swims like a fish.
As busy as a bee.
A metaphor states one thing is another to imply a resemblance. "She is a night owl" equates a person to an owl without using "like" or "as." The others use "like/as" or are similes. Read about metaphors.
Select the simile that best describes extreme tiredness.
He roared like a lion.
He was a bear.
He was weightless as a feather.
He slept like a log.
"He slept like a log" compares sleep to a log using "like," making it a simile that suggests deep, immovable rest. The other options either use metaphor or compare irrelevant actions. More on similes.
Which is an explicit simile?
Her voice was as sweet as honey.
He drowned in paperwork.
Her voice was music to his ears.
The clouds are cotton balls.
An explicit simile uses "like" or "as." "Her voice was as sweet as honey" includes "as," making it an explicit simile. The others are metaphors or personifications. See simile definitions.
Which sentence is a metaphor about time?
Time is like a river.
Time flies when you're having fun.
Time runs.
Like sands through the hourglass.
"Time flies..." directly equates time to a flying creature without "like" or "as," making it a metaphor. "Time is like a river" is a simile. Review metaphors.
Which of these is a simile?
Her eyes sparkled like diamonds.
He barked orders at us.
Their argument was a ticking bomb.
The classroom was a zoo.
"Her eyes sparkled like diamonds" uses "like" to make a direct comparison, which defines a simile. The others are metaphors or personification. Exploring similes.
In which sentence is a metaphor used?
Life is a rollercoaster.
He is as brave as a lion.
She danced gracefully.
Life is like a rollercoaster.
"Life is a rollercoaster" equates life directly to a rollercoaster, creating a metaphor. Adding "like" or "as" would make it a simile. Learn more here.
Which sentence is NOT a metaphor?
He fought like a tiger.
Her mind is a steel trap.
The world is his oyster.
Books are passports to adventure.
"He fought like a tiger" uses "like" to compare, making it a simile, not a metaphor. The other choices directly equate two things. Simile explanation.
Which of the following is a metaphorical version of "as cold as ice"?
He had ice in his veins.
He was like ice.
His heart was cold.
He froze like an iceberg.
"He had ice in his veins" replaces the simile with a metaphor by stating an identity without "like" or "as." It implies emotional coldness. Detailed metaphor guide.
Which sentence contains an implied metaphor?
She is a shining star.
The clouds are fluffy pancakes.
He barked commands to his team.
He was a lion in battle.
An implied metaphor suggests a comparison by action or attribute without stating one thing is another. "He barked commands" implies he is like a dog. Implied vs direct metaphors.
Which of the following is an example of a dead metaphor?
The moon was a silver coin.
Dial the number on your phone.
He was a fish in water.
Her hair was silk.
A dead metaphor has lost its original imagery through overuse. "Dial the number" refers to an old rotary dial but we no longer visualize it. More on dead metaphors.
Identify the sentence that contains a mixed metaphor.
Let's cross that bridge when we get to it.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
He's the black sheep of the family.
We'll burn that bridge when we come to it.
A mixed metaphor combines two or more incompatible metaphors, causing confusion. "Burn that bridge when we come to it" blends "burn bridges" and "cross that bridge." Mixed metaphor examples.
In literature, metaphors are primarily used to:
List chronological events.
Provide factual information.
Create vivid imagery and understanding.
Avoid descriptive language.
Metaphors help readers visualize and emotionally connect with abstract concepts by relating them to familiar images. They enhance descriptive power and depth. Purpose of metaphors.
Which sentence exemplifies personification rather than a simile?
The wind howled like a wolf.
The wind whispered secrets through the trees.
Time is money.
He was as brave as a lion.
Personification gives human traits to non-human entities. "The wind whispered secrets" attributes human action to wind. A simile would use "like" or "as." Learn about personification.
In the metaphor 'My teacher was a lighthouse guiding me through the storm', what is the vehicle?
Lighthouse
Storm
Me
Teacher
In metaphor theory, the vehicle is the image used to convey meaning - in this case, "lighthouse." The tenor is the subject being described (the teacher). Tenor and vehicle explained.
Which best describes a sustained (extended) metaphor?
A metaphor that mixes two metaphors.
A metaphor developed over several lines or paragraphs.
A metaphor that is unclear.
A single figure of speech using 'like' or 'as'.
A sustained metaphor is one that continues throughout a passage or entire work, reinforcing a comparison over multiple lines. It deepens thematic resonance. Extended metaphor guide.
Which of the following is an example of an extended metaphor?
Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.
Her mind is a battlefield.
His smile was as bright as the sun.
He has a green thumb.
Emily Dickinson's poem "Hope is the thing with feathers" extends the bird metaphor throughout multiple lines. It's more than a single statement. Read the poem.
Why are mixed metaphors generally discouraged?
They deepen the imagery.
They create confusion and break coherence.
They are too concise.
They are more poetic.
Mixed metaphors combine incompatible images, often leading to awkward or confusing descriptions. Clear, coherent imagery is usually more effective. Mixed metaphor pitfalls.
In Shakespeare's line 'All the world's a stage', what is the implied tenor?
World
Stage
Audience
Actor
The tenor is the subject being described - "the world." The vehicle is the image provided, "a stage." Shakespeare uses this to compare life to a theatrical performance. Tenor & vehicle.
Which simile best conveys sudden speed?
He moved like a sloth.
He moved like lightning.
He moved like a glacier.
He moved like molasses.
Lightning is a classic image for extreme speed, making this simile vivid and immediate. The others imply slowness or medium pace. Similes for speed.
Which theory explains how metaphors help us understand complex concepts by relating them to familiar experiences?
Conceptual Metaphor Theory
String Theory
Social Learning Theory
Game Theory
Conceptual Metaphor Theory, proposed by Lakoff and Johnson, argues we understand abstract ideas through concrete metaphors tied to experience. This theory underpins much cognitive linguistics. Conceptual Metaphor Theory.
Which sentence contains an absolute (anomalous) metaphor?
Her eyes were emeralds.
Justice is a sword that cuts time.
He was a tower of strength.
Love is a journey.
An absolute metaphor pairs items with no shared properties, creating a striking but puzzling image. "Justice is a sword that cuts time" offers an anomalous blend. Absolute metaphor.
In the metaphor 'His words were daggers', what nuance does 'daggers' add?
Destructiveness
Softness
Warmth
Humor
Describing words as daggers suggests they pierce or wound emotionally. This adds a sense of harm and violence to speech. Metaphor nuance.
Which best describes a metaphor network in literature?
A single metaphor used once.
Personification only.
Multiple metaphors linked to enrich theme.
Similes used instead of metaphors.
A metaphor network is a series of interconnected metaphors that build on each other to deepen thematic impact. This layering enriches interpretation. Metaphor clusters.
What is a 'mixed simile'?
A simile without 'like' or 'as'.
A metaphor extended over multiple lines.
A simile that blends two incongruent images.
Combining two metaphors incorrectly.
A mixed simile fuses two different comparisons in one phrase, resulting in an odd or humorous effect (e.g., "as clear as mud and sharp as a tack"). It breaks coherence. Mixed simile examples.
0
{"name":"Which of the following sentences contains a simile?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"Which of the following sentences contains a simile?, Which sentence employs a metaphor?, Select the simile that best describes extreme tiredness.","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}
Score7/25
Easy2/8
Medium3/7
Hard1/8
Expert1/2
AI Study Notes
Email these to me
You can bookmark this page to review your notes in future, or fill out the email box below to email them to yourself.
Study Outcomes
Identify similes and metaphors -
After completing the metaphors and similes exercises quiz, you will be able to instantly distinguish similes from metaphors in varied sentences.
Analyze figurative language -
You can dissect poetic and subtle comparisons, understanding how each simile or metaphor shapes meaning and tone.
Evaluate metaphor answers accurately -
Develop the skill to confirm correct metaphor usage, refining your metaphor answers knowledge for confidence in quizzes and writing.
Enhance simile and metaphor practice -
Sharpen your figurative language skills with repeated exercises, boosting your ability to craft compelling comparisons.
Apply creative comparisons -
Learn to integrate similes and metaphors seamlessly into your own writing for more vivid and engaging narratives.
Engage with a simile vs metaphor game -
Enjoy an interactive, quiz-based approach that makes simile and metaphor practice both fun and educational.
Cheat Sheet
Clarify Definitions of Similes and Metaphors -
Similes compare two unlike things using "like" or "as," for example "Her smile was as bright as the sun," while metaphors state one thing is another, such as "Time is a thief." A handy mnemonic is "S for Simile, S for Similar" to remember the "like/as" signal. These core definitions are foundational for any metaphors and similes exercises.
Spot Figurative Language in Context -
In simile vs metaphor game scenarios, you'll scan sentences for clues like comparative words or implied equivalence, drawing on strategies from reputable resources such as Purdue OWL. Practicing with authentic texts - poetry, speeches, or news articles - sharpens your simile and metaphor practice by highlighting real-world usage. Regular exposure helps you distinguish literal descriptions from creative comparisons instinctively.
Analyze Emotional Impact and Tone -
Metaphors often convey deeper emotion and symbolism, like "a heart of stone" implying coldness, while similes can add vivid imagery without heavy abstraction. When reviewing metaphor answers, ask how each figure of speech alters mood, emphasizes themes, or shapes character voice. Journals like the Journal of Literary Theory show that recognizing these nuances elevates both comprehension and creative writing.
Avoid Mixed or Clichéd Comparisons -
Mixed metaphors can confuse readers (e.g., "He's a wolf that's barking up the wrong tree"), and clichés like "busy as a bee" diminish originality. Keep lists of overused expressions handy and swap them for fresh metaphors or inventive similes to maintain clarity. Quality guides from Oxford University Press recommend revising clichés for stronger, more engaging language.
Reinforce Skills with Targeted Exercises -
Engage in daily metaphors and similes exercises by creating your own sentences, then check your work against answer keys or peer feedback for accurate metaphor answers. Use flashcards or apps offering simile and metaphor practice drills to solidify understanding through repetition. Turning practice into a playful simile vs metaphor game boosts retention and keeps your confidence high.
