Grade 8reading comprehensionOriginal practice

Analyze Figurative Language

Explain how figurative language contributes to meaning. A complete set with exploration, practice and application. Use the linked unit for the learning sequence and teaching guide.

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Independent activity · About 25 minutes · Pencil

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Grade 8 · ela

Analyze Figurative Language

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Grade 8 · ela · continued

Analyze Figurative Language

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An original short scene

The hallway was a river of voices. Mina held her speech like a small shield. When the classroom door opened, the river quieted. She stepped forward, and the first sentence felt like a bridge.

Use the material to work through each task. Show the requested response.

1.Copy one metaphor from the passage.

2.What does river of voices suggest?

3.What might the shield comparison suggest about Mina?

4.How does the bridge image differ from the shield image?

5.Explain how the images trace a change in the scene.

6.Replace one metaphor with literal wording, then explain what is lost.

Grade 8 · ela · Answer key

Analyze Figurative Language

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Open responses use criteria and an illustrative response. Other well-supported responses can be acceptable.

Grade 8 · ela · Answer key · continued

Analyze Figurative Language

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An original short scene

The hallway was a river of voices. Mina held her speech like a small shield. When the classroom door opened, the river quieted. She stepped forward, and the first sentence felt like a bridge.

Use the material to work through each task. Show the requested response.

1.Copy one metaphor from the passage.

Answer: The hallway was a river of voices.

2.What does river of voices suggest?

Look for

Connects the comparison to sound and movement.

One possible response: Many flowing, overlapping voices fill the hallway.

3.What might the shield comparison suggest about Mina?

Look for

Uses the shield image as evidence.

One possible response: She may feel nervous and use the prepared speech for confidence.

4.How does the bridge image differ from the shield image?

Look for

Explains both images.

One possible response: The shield suggests protection; the bridge suggests connection or moving forward.

5.Explain how the images trace a change in the scene.

Look for

Connects language with a plausible change.

One possible response: Noise quiets and Mina moves from protection toward speaking and connection.

6.Replace one metaphor with literal wording, then explain what is lost.

Look for

Gives accurate literal wording.
Discusses an effect beyond just saying it sounds better.

One possible response: The hallway was noisy; this loses the flowing river image.

About this practice

Grade 8 · ela · Matching answer key included · US Letter and A4

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

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Analyze Figurative Language: first student practice page

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Teaching guide, sample answers and curriculum references

Before you begin

Review the key words and representations in Analyze Figurative Language. Use the Explore activity to check readiness before removing support.

How to use this worksheet

Begin with: Copy one metaphor from the passage.
Connect the response to: What might the shield comparison suggest about Mina?
Ask students to apply the idea: Explain how the images trace a change in the scene.

A common mistake to discuss

Accepting an answer without checking whether it uses the material and satisfies the requested relationship or criteria.

What to practice next

Continue to Analyze Figurative Language: Apply and Create.

Original instructional material written for this practice.

Published 2026-10-04; updated 2026-10-04. Original MakeWorksheet practice. Automated consistency checks support publication; independent subject-specialist review is not recorded. Read our editorial policy.

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Analyze Figurative Language: Apply and Create: first student practice page

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Grade 8

Key

Analyze Figurative Language: Apply and Create

Apply · Independent · 15 min

Explain how figurative language contributes to meaning. A focused apply activity. Use the linked unit for the learning sequence and teaching guide.

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Analyze Figurative Language: Explore and Explain: first student practice page

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Grade 8

Key

Analyze Figurative Language: Explore and Explain

Explore · Independent · 10 min

Explain how figurative language contributes to meaning. A focused learn activity. Use the linked unit for the learning sequence and teaching guide.

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Analyze Figurative Language: Practice Independently: first student practice page

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Grade 8

Key

Analyze Figurative Language: Practice Independently

Practice · Independent · 10 min

Explain how figurative language contributes to meaning. A focused practice activity. Use the linked unit for the learning sequence and teaching guide.

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Literary Reading: Author's Craft, Figurative Language & Tone: first student practice page

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Grade 8

RL.8.4 Key

Literary Reading: Author's Craft, Figurative Language & Tone

Practice · Independent · 15 min

Analyze figurative language, extended metaphors, sensory imagery, and shifts in atmospheric tone in complex narrative fiction.

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