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Understanding Metaphors

This worksheet helps 8th-grade students understand and identify metaphors in literature and everyday language, focusing on their impact and interpretation.

Grade 8 ELA GrammarLanguage and VocabularyLanguageFigurative LanguageMetaphors
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TextMultiple ChoiceFill in the BlanksTrue / FalseShort AnswerMatching

Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.5.ACCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.4
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Understanding Metaphors

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Read each question carefully and follow the instructions. This worksheet is designed to help you understand and identify metaphors.

Passage: The Storm

The old house was a fortress against the raging storm. Wind, a hungry wolf, howled around the corners, clawing at the windowpanes. Rain, an endless drum solo, pounded on the roof, each drop a tiny hammer blow. Inside, a single lamp, a silent guardian, cast a warm, flickering glow, a beacon in the encroaching darkness. Fear was a cold knot in Sarah's stomach, but her grandmother's stories were a comforting blanket, wrapping her in warmth and security.

1. Which of the following is a metaphor from the passage?

a

Wind, a hungry wolf

b

Rain, an endless drum solo

c

The old house was a fortress

d

All of the above

2. What two unlike things are being compared in the metaphor 'Fear was a cold knot in Sarah's stomach'?

a

Fear and stomach

b

Fear and a knot

c

Cold and stomach

d

Sarah and a knot

1. A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'. It states that one thing   another.

2. When a writer uses a metaphor, they are creating a strong   between two different ideas or objects.

3. The phrase 'Her voice is music to my ears' is an example of a  .

1. A metaphor uses 'like' or 'as' to compare two unlike things.

T

True

F

False

2. Metaphors help to make writing more vivid and imaginative.

T

True

F

False

1. Explain the meaning of the metaphor: 'The politician was a snake in the grass.'

2. Create your own metaphor to describe a busy city street. Explain your metaphor.

Match each metaphor with its likely meaning.

1. Time is a thief.

 

a. Someone who is very brave.

2. The classroom was a zoo.

 

b. Time passes quickly and takes opportunities.

3. He is a lion in battle.

 

c. The classroom was chaotic and noisy.