Metaphor

Which of the following sentences contains a metaphor?

• The goalie was a solid brick wall.

• The goalie was as strong as a brick wall.

• The goalie stood in front of the net.

• The goalie blocked the ball very well.

Answer explanation

This is a metaphor because it directly compares the goalie to a brick wall without using 'like' or 'as', suggesting he is impossible to get past. The other options are a simile, a literal statement, and a description.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Match each metaphor to the feeling it describes.

• A heavy, overwhelming feeling of sorrow

• A storm of anger

• A small sign of positivity in a bad situation

• A blanket of sadness

• A powerful and destructive emotion

• A ray of hope

Answer explanation

Each metaphor is matched to the feeling it represents: a 'storm' suggests intense anger, a 'blanket' suggests heavy sadness, and a 'ray' suggests a small amount of hope.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Which option best completes the sentence to create a metaphor about a fast runner?

• a blur on the track

• running very quickly

• like a speeding bullet

• faster than everyone else

Answer explanation

Saying the runner is 'a blur' is a metaphor that directly compares their speed to something indistinct and fast. 'Like a speeding bullet' is a simile, and the other options are literal descriptions.

Sort these phrases into two groups: Metaphor or Not a Metaphor.

Groups:

(a) Metaphor

,

(b) Not a Metaphor

• He is very tall.

• The snow is a white blanket.

• The classroom was a zoo.

• The dog's fur was as soft as silk.

Answer explanation

Metaphors make direct comparisons without 'like' or 'as' ('classroom was a zoo'). The 'Not a Metaphor' category includes a simile (which uses 'as') and a literal statement.

What is the meaning of the metaphor in the sentence: 'After the argument, there was a wall of silence between the two friends'?

• They built a real wall between them.

• They were unable or unwilling to talk to each other.

• They were whispering so no one could hear.

• They were planning to talk later.

Answer explanation

The metaphor 'a wall of silence' means the silence is like an impassable barrier, showing a complete stop in communication.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Which of the following phrases is NOT a metaphor?

• Her voice is music to my ears.

• The world is a stage.

• He has a heart of stone.

• The moon shines like a diamond.

Answer explanation

This is a simile because it uses the word 'like' to make the comparison. Metaphors make direct comparisons without using 'like' or 'as'.

Match each metaphor about a task to its meaning.

• The task was confusing and hard to follow.

• Cleaning my room is a mountain to climb.

• The task is huge and difficult.

• The instructions were a maze.

• The task was very easy.

• The math test was a walk in the park.

Answer explanation

Each metaphor compares a task to something else to describe its difficulty: 'a walk in the park' means easy, 'a mountain' means difficult, and 'a maze' means confusing.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

In the sentence 'After running the marathon, my legs were jelly,' what does the metaphor mean?

• My legs had turned into actual jelly.

• My legs were weak, tired, and shaky.

• My legs felt strong and powerful.

• My legs were cold and sweet.

Answer explanation

The metaphor 'legs were jelly' compares the feeling of tired legs to the wobbly, unstable nature of jelly to show extreme weakness and fatigue.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Which metaphor best describes a person who is a source of happiness for others?

• a rainy day

• a ray of sunshine

• a closed book

• a puzzle

Answer explanation

A 'ray of sunshine' is a metaphor for someone who brings light, warmth, and happiness, just as the sun does. The other options suggest sadness, mystery, or confusion.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

The new video game is a black hole that consumes all my free time. What does this metaphor imply?

• The game is about outer space.

• The game takes up an enormous amount of time and it's hard to stop playing.

• The game is dark and difficult to see.

• The game is not very interesting.

Answer explanation

A 'black hole' is a metaphor for something that pulls everything in with an inescapable force, suggesting the game is incredibly absorbing and time-consuming.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D