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Figurative Language Worksheet 1
Figurative Language Worksheet 1
Instructions: Read the lines of poetry. Figure out which technique is being used: simile, metaphor,
hyperbole, or personification. In the boxes, explain how you figured out your answer. It is possible that
more than one technique is being used. Explain each.
1. Like burnt-out torches by a sick man's bed.
Which technique is being used? (Simile, Metaphor, Personification, or Hyperbole)
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How do you figure? (write a sentence explaining your answer)
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.
Which technique is being used? (Simile, Metaphor, Personification, or Hyperbole)
__________________________________________________________________________________
How do you figure? (write a sentence explaining your answer)
3. When the stars threw down their spears, / And water'd heaven with their tears,
Which technique is being used? (Simile, Metaphor, Personification, or Hyperbole)
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How do you figure? (write a sentence explaining your answer)
__________________________________________________________________________________
How do you figure? (write a sentence explaining your answer)
5. I do not care to talk to you although / Your speech evokes a thousand sympathies,
Which technique is being used? (Simile, Metaphor, Personification, or Hyperbole)
__________________________________________________________________________________
How do you figure? (write a sentence explaining your answer)
6. The sun was shining on the sea, / Shining with all his might:
Which technique is being used? (Simile, Metaphor, Personification, or Hyperbole)
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How do you figure? (write a sentence explaining your answer)
__________________________________________________________________________________
How do you figure? (write a sentence explaining your answer)
8. The old clock down in the parlor / Like a sleepless mourner grieves,
Which technique is being used? (Simile, Metaphor, Personification, or Hyperbole)
__________________________________________________________________________________
How do you figure? (write a sentence explaining your answer)
9. By the lakes that thus outspread / Their lone waters, lone and dead / Their sad waters, sad and chilly
Which technique is being used? (Simile, Metaphor, Personification, or Hyperbole)
__________________________________________________________________________________
How do you figure? (write a sentence explaining your answer)
__________________________________________________________________________________
How do you figure? (write a sentence explaining your answer)
Figurative Language | Answer Key
1. Simile
Ex: The speaker compares torches to a sick man's bed using the word like or as.
2. Hyperbole
Ex: The speaker claims that the "rain never stops." which is an
exaggeration.
3. Personification
Ex: Stars are given the ability to throw spears and cry.
4. Metaphor
Ex: The moon is compared to a galleon and the road is compared to a
ribbon, which is also compared to moonlight implicitly
5. Hyperbole
Ex: The speaker is exaggerating the number of sympathies evoked by the
subject.
6. Personification
Ex: The sun is described in human terms.
7. Metaphor
Ex: The leaves are compared to fish without using the word like or as.
8. Simile and/or personification
Ex: The clock is compared to a mourner and is given the ability to grieve.
9. Personification
The lakes are given the ability to die and the quality of sadness
10. Metaphor
Fame is compared to a bee without using the word like or as