Grade 4reading comprehensionOriginal practice

Figurative Language: Similes and Metaphors in Literature

Distinguish between comparisons using 'like' or 'as' (similes) versus direct comparisons (metaphors). Includes literary examples and full answer key.

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Grade 4 · ela

Figurative Language: Similes and Metaphors in Literature

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Grade 4 · ela · continued

Figurative Language: Similes and Metaphors in Literature

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Read each sentence below. Determine whether the sentence uses a SIMILE or a METAPHOR.

1.Sentence: 'During the school play, Maya stood on stage as proud as a peacock.'

ASIMILE (Compares using 'as')

BMETAPHOR (Direct comparison without like/as)

CLiteral statement

2.Sentence: 'After shoveling the driveway in the snow, my fingers were blocks of ice.'

ASIMILE (Uses 'like' or 'as')

BMETAPHOR (States fingers literally were ice blocks to show extreme cold)

CPersonification

3.Sentence: 'The calm lake was like a smooth silver mirror reflecting the trees.'

ASIMILE (Uses 'like' to compare lake to mirror)

BMETAPHOR (Direct equivalence)

CHyperbole

Grade 4 · ela · Answer key

Figurative Language: Similes and Metaphors in Literature

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Grade 4 · ela · Answer key · continued

Figurative Language: Similes and Metaphors in Literature

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Read each sentence below. Determine whether the sentence uses a SIMILE or a METAPHOR.

1.Sentence: 'During the school play, Maya stood on stage as proud as a peacock.'

A. SIMILE (Compares using 'as')

Because it uses the comparison word 'as proud as', it is a SIMILE.

2.Sentence: 'After shoveling the driveway in the snow, my fingers were blocks of ice.'

B. METAPHOR (States fingers literally were ice blocks to show extreme cold)

The sentence states fingers 'were blocks of ice' directly without using 'like' or 'as', making it a METAPHOR.

3.Sentence: 'The calm lake was like a smooth silver mirror reflecting the trees.'

A. SIMILE (Uses 'like' to compare lake to mirror)

The word 'like' connects the calm lake to a mirror, creating a SIMILE.

About this practice

Grade 4 · ela · Matching answer key included · US Letter and A4

US Letter practice PDF ↓ · Answer PDF ↓A4 practice PDF ↓ · Answer PDF ↓

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Figurative Language: Similes and Metaphors in Literature: first student practice page

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Teaching guide, sample answers and curriculum references

Before you begin

Identify what two things a comparison refers to.

How to use this worksheet

Model the target skill: identify similes that compare two unlike things using 'like' or 'as'. Use the first task as a guided example before asking for an independent response.
Check readiness first: Identify what two things a comparison refers to.
Discuss an incorrect response using this distinction: The word like alone does not create a simile; it must make a comparison, rather than express a preference.

A common mistake to discuss

The word like alone does not create a simile; it must make a comparison, rather than express a preference.

What to practice next

Rewrite a simile as a metaphor and discuss how its effect changes.

Sample question and answer

Sentence: 'During the school play, Maya stood on stage as proud as a peacock.'

A. SIMILE (Compares using 'as')
B. METAPHOR (Direct comparison without like/as)
C. Literal statement

Answer: A. Because it uses the comparison word 'as proud as', it is a SIMILE.

Intended curriculum references: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.5.A. These references describe learning goals; they are not endorsements.

Published 2026-10-02; updated 2026-10-02. Original MakeWorksheet practice. Automated consistency checks support publication; independent subject-specialist review is not recorded. Read our editorial policy.

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