Figurative Language Review

Similes, Metaphors, Idioms,
Proverbs, Homographs,
Homophones, and Homonyms

ELA Review

Similes

A figure of speech that compares two things by using the words as or
like something else. They are compared indirectly.

Examples:

The sky was a red as a ripe apple.

The sky was like a red roaring campfire.

Multiple Choice

You are as brave as a lion.

• Simile

• Not a simile

Multiple Select

Check all responses that ARE similes.

• Watching this movie is like watching grass grow.

• Those kids are fighting like cats and dogs.

• I like to eat steak and potatoes.

• He should have threw it away as he walked by the trash can.

• He is as fast as a cheetah.

Multiple Select

She is as thin as a rake.

What two pictures are being compared?

Multiple Choice

This is a simile:

He is a hard head.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

This is a simile:

This dress fits like a glove.

• True

• False

Metaphors

A figure of speech that uses a word or phrase to compare two different
objects, ideas, thoughts, or feelings

Examples:

The computer in the classroom was an old dinosaur.

Multiple Choice

Which two things are being compared in this sentence: Jimmy tried to help her, but when he got to his feet, his legs were jello.

• Jimmy and Jello

• Legs and Jello

• Her and Jello

• Feet and Legs

Multiple Choice

The baby girl’s smile was the sun on dark days. 
What does the metaphor mean above?

• The baby girl's smile made other people happy.

• When the baby girl smiled the sun would rise. 

• The baby never smiled. 

• The baby girl's smile made the moon come out. 

Multiple Choice

A metaphor compares two things NOT using the words...

• have and of

• like and as

• to have and to hold

• simile

Multiple Choice

Simile or Metaphor?
My brother was boiling mad.

• simile

• metaphor

Multiple Choice

What is the definition of a metaphor?

• Comparing two things using like or as.

• Comparing two different things NOT using like or as.

• Silly sentences using animals and people.

• Things that have people like characteristics.

Idioms

Idioms are shortcuts in language used for expressing an idea or relationship

Multiple Choice

It’s raining cats and dogs

• It’s raining really hard

• Its very sunny

Multiple Choice

What does butterflies in your stomach mean?

• You are very nervous

• You are very cute

Multiple Choice

What does bottomless pit mean?

• Someone eats a lot

• I watch TV

Multiple Choice

What does zip your lips mean?

• Be quiet

• Scream at the top of your lungs

Multiple Choice

What does cry your eyes out mean?

• You are really upset

• You cried really hard

Multiple Choice

What does penny for your thoughts mean?

• Tell me your thoughts

• Give me a penny

• Can I have candy

Multiple Choice

What does heart of gold mean?

• You are very rich

• Someone is very kind

Multiple Choice

What does break a leg mean?

• Good luck

• I hope you break your leg

Multiple Choice

What does drive me up the wall mean?

• You make me very mad

• Can I go up a wall

Multiple Choice

What does couch potato mean?

• I found a potato in the couch

• Someone is very lazy

Multiple Choice

What does green thumb mean?

• Someone is very good with plants

• My thumb is leaf green

Multiple Choice

What does “think outside the box” mean

• Come up with something different

• Scare someone by jumping out of a box

Multiple Choice

What does “happy as a clam” mean?

• You are really happy

• I saw a really happy clam

Multiple Choice

What does “whatever floats you boat” mean?

• Whatever makes you happy

• Don’t let your boat sink

Proverbs

Proverbs are expressions that teach a lesson or give advice. These familiar sayings have been around for a
long time.

Examples:

You are what you eat. Don’t jump out of the frying pan and into the fire. An apple a day keeps the doctor
away.

Multiple Choice

A penny saved is a penny earned.

• A penny is valuable.

• You can earn pennies. You can earn pennies.

• A penny isn't worth much.

• Money not spent is money that is in one's pocket.

Multiple Choice

Look before you leap.

• Think before you act.

• Look and then jump.

• Jumping is good exercise

• Looking is important

Multiple Choice

Don't count your chickens before they hatch.

• Counting the eggs is more important.

• You should not count on something before it happens

• Chickens are hard to count.

• Waiting for the chickens is hard to do.

Multiple Choice

Where there's a will, there's a way.

• Boys named Will know the way

• There's always a way to find Will.

• It's hard to find Will.

• If you are determined enough, you can find a way to do anything.

Multiple Choice

Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

• Wealthy men are healthy.

• Wise men are healthy.

• Someone who gets enough sleep and startswork early in the day will have a successful life.

• You need to go to bed.

Homographs

Homographs are words that have the same spelling, but different pronunciation
and meanings.

Example: Live

They did not know if he would live or die.

Last night I was the band play live in concert.

Multiple Choice

Joshua says that he can go on the field trip next week.

• to have permission

• to preserve in a sealed container

Multiple Choice

My mother allowed me to keep the change we got when we paid at the store.

• To transform or convert something

• Money given back when paying for goods or services

Multiple Choice

Steven's father had to park the car before he could get out.

• An area of land used for rest and recreation

• To place or leave a vehicle in a certain location for a time

Multiple Choice

He was so angry that he began to tear up the papers he received in the mail.

• To pull apart by force

• A drop of water coming from the eye

Multiple Choice

I lost my favorite ring. 

• To sound a bell 

• A piece of jewelry 

Multiple Choice

When you see a homograph in a text, how can you find out what it means?

• spell it backwards

• using context clues

• crying for help

Multiple Choice

the roll was good with butter.

• a type of bread

• turn over and over

Homophone

Homophones are words that have the same pronunciation but
different spellings and meanings.

Examples:

David’s brother is in a (band, banned) which plays Australian music.

Multiple Select

Match the homophones

Multiple Select

Match the homophones

Multiple Select

Match the homophones

Multiple Choice

Select the correct homophone that fits in the sentence below:

We rented the house by the _____.

• sea

• see

Multiple Choice

Select the correct homophone that fits in the sentence below:

I didn't ______ what she said.

• here

• hear

Multiple Choice

Select the correct homophone that fits in the sentence below:

We can't wait _______ be able to swim in the pool this summer!

• too

• to

• two

Multiple Choice

I got stung by a _____.

• be

• bea

• bee

Multiple Choice

I need to buy some _________ at the grocery store so I can make cookies after school.

• flower

• flour

Multiple Choice

I like to eat ______.

• meat

• meet

• met

Multiple Choice

I filled a _________ of water for the chickens.

• pale

• pail

Multiple Choice

The sky is _____ on a clear day, but it is dark on a stormy day!

• blew

• blu

• blue

• sunny

Homonyms

Homonyms are words that have the same spelling and pronunciation but
different meanings.

Example:

My rabbits are in a pen outside.

Please sign this form with a blue pen.

Multiple Choice

Identify the meaning of the underlined homonym.

Cindy screamed when she saw the bug.

• an insect

• annoy or bother

Multiple Choice

Identify the homonyn in the sentence:

Do you like rock music?

• a type of music

• a stone

Multiple Choice

Identify the meaning of the underlined homonym.

Where should I turn right?

• correct

• direction opposite of left

Multiple Choice

Identify the meaning of the underlined homonym.

The campers made a fire to cook their hot dogs

• Burning to produce heat, light and flames

• To tell someone they've lost a job

Multiple Choice

Identify the meaning of the underlined homonym.

The patient sat in the waiting room at the doctor's office.

• a sick person

• able to wait calmly

Multiple Choice

Identify the meaning of the underlined homonym.

The bat was hanging from the ceiling of the cave.

• an item used to hit a ball

• an animal that flies at night

Multiple Choice

Identify the meaning of the underlined homonym.

She held a handful of popcorn in her palm.

• a type of tropical tree

• the area between the fingers and wrist

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms are two words that mean the same thing.

Example: smart = clever

Antonyms are two words that mean the opposite thing.

Example: light🚫 dark

Multiple Choice

Read the following sentences:

Todd's brother would not stop teasing him. Todd was so agitated by his brother that he had tears in his eyes and grunted in anger.

Which word is an antonym for the word agitated as it is used in the sentence above?

• calm

• frustrated

• angry

• bothered

Multiple Choice

Read these sentences:

Jamie shouts, "Hooray!" when she realizes her birthday is today. She starts jumping up and down and is very boisterous. Her mother tells her to try to be calm as she waits for the cake to finish baking.

Which word is a synonym for the word boisterous as it is used in the sentence above?

• quiet

• loud

• calm

• soft

Multiple Choice

Which words from the sentences best help the reader understand the meaning of the word boisterous?

• birthday, cake, today

• calm, down, very

• realizes, “Hooray!”

• jumping up and down, shouts

Multiple Choice

Are the words synonyms or antonyms?
center
middle

• Synonyms

• Antonyms

Multiple Choice

What pair of words have almost the same meaning?

• break and destroy

• fall and decide

• help and take

• normal and strange

Multiple Choice

The wooden toy looks fragile. However, it is sturdy and strong.

What does the underlined word mean?

• well-made

• bumpy

• weak

Multiple Choice

It is easy to see my brother's disdain for TikTok. When he sees me dancing, he starts to grumble and leaves the room.

• to have a fear of something

• to have a strong dislike for something

• to listen carefully

• to watch carefully

Multiple Choice

What is an antonym of before?

• after

• at first

• beginning

• start

Multiple Choice

Are the words synonyms or antonyms?
smile
grin

• Synonyms

• Antonyms

Multiple Choice

Synonyms are words that...

• have the same meaning.

• have opposite meanings.

Multiple Choice

Antonyms are words that...

• have the same meaning.

• have opposite meanings.

Multiple Choice

I woke up very tired today!
What is a synonym for tired?

• Fun

• Awake

• Sleepy

Multiple Choice

What is another word for big?

• Small

• Tiny

• Giant

• Fast