Similes and Metaphors Worksheets

Grade 4 English 12 Printable Worksheets 100% FREE

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Similes and metaphors are two powerful tools writers use to compare one thing to another and help readers picture ideas more clearly. A simile uses the words 'like' or 'as' to make the comparison, as in 'The moon was as round as a coin' or 'She runs like the wind.' A metaphor goes one step further: it says one thing IS another, without using 'like' or 'as'. For example, 'The classroom was a zoo' or 'My brother is a night owl' are metaphors. Both kinds of comparisons are called figurative language because they do not mean exactly what the words say. Figurative language is different from literal language, which means just what it says. If we say 'The sky is blue,' that is literal. If we say 'The sky is a blue blanket,' that is figurative. In Grade 4, students learn to spot similes and metaphors in poems, stories, and everyday speech, and to figure out what shared quality is being highlighted, such as bravery, speed, or kindness. They also start writing their own comparisons to make their writing more interesting and exciting. This skill matches CCSS L.4.5a, which asks students to explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors in context.

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Browse all 12 printable worksheets below — click any card to open the full page.

Easy

Part A: Fix the Sentence

Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word or number on each line.

1. His backpack was as heavy

2. The clouds floated

3. Her voice was as sweet

4. The puppy ran

Part C: Short Answer

Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.

Similes and Metaphors

Easy

Part A: Fix the Sentence

Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word or number on each line.

1. My grandfather is a

2. The stars are tiny

3. Time is a

4. Her words were

Part C: Short Answer

Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.

Similes and Metaphors

Easy

Part A: Fix the Sentence

Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word or number on each line.

1. The clever spy was as sly as a

2. During the test, the room was as quiet as a

3. After racing home, his cheeks were as red as a

4. The new puppy is as playful as a

Part C: Short Answer

Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.

Similes and Metaphors

Easy

Part A: Fix the Sentence

Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word or number on each line.

1. The detective was as cunning as a

2. The whisper was as quiet as a

3. After the long hike, my legs felt as heavy as

4. The freshly washed sheets smelled as sweet as

Part C: Short Answer

Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.

Similes and Metaphors

Medium

Part A: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word or number on each line.

1. The sentence 'The moon is a silver coin' is a

2. The sentence 'She sings like an angel' is a

3. In 'as quiet as a mouse', the quality being compared is being

4. In 'The wind was an angry beast', the wind is compared to a

5. Similes always need the word 'like' or the word

6. Figurative language is the opposite of

7. 'His feet are blocks of ice' is a

8. 'The road twisted like a snake' compares the road to a

9. Both similes and metaphors are kinds of

Part B: Matching

Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.

1. Match each item to its correct answer.

The cookies were as warm as toast.

→

Metaphor (laughter = music)

Her laughter is music.

→

Simile (uses 'as ___ as')

He runs like the wind.

→

Metaphor (night = curtain)

The night was a black curtain.

→

Simile (uses 'like')

Similes and Metaphors

Medium

Part A: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word or number on each line.

1. In 'The baby's cheeks were as pink as roses', the cheeks are compared to

2. In 'My teacher is a walking dictionary', the shared quality is knowing many

3. In 'The lake was glass that morning', the lake's quality of being

4. In 'He fought like a lion', the shared quality is being

5. A poem that says 'hope is a feather' uses a

6. 'The leaves danced like ballerinas' gives leaves the quality of being

7. In 'Her temper is a volcano', her temper is compared to a

8. Similes and metaphors help readers picture, or

9. 'As busy as a bee' shares the quality of being

Part B: Matching

Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.

1. Match each item to its correct answer.

As cold as ice

→

Metaphor — kind person

A heart of gold

→

Simile — very cold

Like a bull in a china shop

→

Metaphor — life as a play

The world is a stage

→

Simile — clumsy person

Similes and Metaphors

Medium

Part A: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word or number on each line.

1. 'The fog comes on little cat feet' uses a

2. 'My love is like a red, red rose' is a

3. 'Hope is the thing with feathers' calls hope a bird, making it a

4. 'Her voice was as clear as a bell' uses 'as X as,' so it is a

5. 'Time is a thief that steals our days' is a

6. Comparing two unlike things using 'like' or 'as' is called a

7. Comparing two unlike things by stating one IS the other is called a

8. Vivid language that paints pictures in a reader's mind is called

9. Language meant exactly as written, with no comparisons, is called

Part B: Matching

Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.

1. Match each item to its correct answer.

'Stars like diamonds in the sky'

→

Simile using 'like' to compare stars

'The classroom is a zoo'

→

Metaphor that renames the room

'Her laugh is music to my ears'

→

Metaphor calling laughter music

'Quick as lightning, the cat ran'

→

Simile using 'as' to compare speed

Similes and Metaphors

Medium

Part A: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word or number on each line.

1. In 'Her eyes are sparkling diamonds,' eyes are compared to

2. Eyes and diamonds share the trait of being

3. In 'He runs like a cheetah,' the boy is compared to a

4. The boy and the cheetah share the trait of being very

5. In 'The snow is a white blanket,' snow is compared to a

6. Snow and a blanket share that they both

7. In 'Her temper is a volcano,' temper is compared to a

8. Temper and a volcano share the idea of sudden

9. Naming a shared trait between two things in a simile or metaphor is called explaining the

Part B: Matching

Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.

1. Match each item to its correct answer.

'The lake is a mirror'

→

Lake and mirror share smooth, reflective surface

'He is as brave as a lion'

→

Boy and lion share courage in danger

'Her voice is honey'

→

Voice and honey share sweetness or smoothness

'The wind howled like a wolf'

→

Wind and wolf share a long, loud cry

Similes and Metaphors

Hard

Part A: Multiple Choice

Circle the best answer for each question.

1. What does the metaphor 'My homework is a mountain' suggest?

2. Which simile best describes a very nervous student?

3. In the line 'Time is a thief', what is the poet saying about time?

4. Which sentence is a metaphor, not a simile?

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the correct answer on each line.

1. If a poem says 'Friendship is a warm blanket', the poet means friendship feels safe and

2. 'She has a heart of stone' is a metaphor that suggests she is cold and

3. In 'The clouds were marshmallows in the sky', the writer creates a picture, or

4. A metaphor that fits a fast, eager learner is 'She is a

5. 'As brave as a knight' is a simile that compares a person's bravery to a

Similes and Metaphors

Hard

Part A: Multiple Choice

Circle the best answer for each question.

1. Which simile best describes a sunset full of bright colors?

2. Which is the strongest metaphor for a busy school hallway?

3. Which sentence creates the clearest figurative image?

4. Which simile best fits a snowy, silent winter morning?

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the correct answer on each line.

1. Finish the simile: 'The autumn leaves twirled like tiny

2. Finish the metaphor: 'My memory is a

3. Pick a strong simile word: 'The siren was as loud

4. Finish the metaphor: 'Anger is a

5. Finish the simile: 'The little kitten was as soft

Similes and Metaphors

Hard

Part A: Multiple Choice

Circle the best answer for each question.

1. In 'Hope is the thing with feathers,' what does the metaphor suggest about hope?

2. If a poet writes 'Time is a thief,' what does this metaphor suggest?

3. In 'My memory is a sieve,' what does the speaker mean?

4. If a poem says 'Friendship is a sturdy bridge,' what does it suggest?

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the correct answer on each line.

1. When a poet says 'Life is a journey,' the metaphor suggests life has many

2. 'The classroom buzzed like a beehive' suggests the room was full of

3. 'Her words were daggers' suggests her words caused

4. 'The world is a stage' suggests that people are

5. Looking past surface words to find deeper meaning is called interpreting

Similes and Metaphors

Hard

Part A: Multiple Choice

Circle the best answer for each question.

1. Which sentence is the BEST original simile for a sunset?

2. Which is the BEST original metaphor for a difficult math test?

3. Which sentence is the BEST original simile for a best friend?

4. Which sentence is the BEST original metaphor for a thunderstorm?

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the correct answer on each line.

1. To write a simile, connect two unlike things using 'like' or '

2. To write a metaphor, state directly that one thing

3. Strong figurative writing creates vivid mental pictures called

4. When we write similes and metaphors, our language is

5. Verses that often use similes and metaphors to share feelings are called

Similes and Metaphors

What's Included in This Download

12 Printable Pages covering similes and metaphors

Complete Answer Key for easy grading

Printer-Friendly Format in black & white

Variety of Activities to keep kids engaged

Common Core Aligned grade 4 standards

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What You'll Learn

These similes and metaphors worksheets help grade 4 students develop essential english skills through engaging activities.

How to Use These Worksheets

Download & Print: Click the download button to get the PDF. Print on standard 8.5" x 11" paper.
Start Simple: Begin with easier pages before moving to more challenging activities.
Daily Practice: Dedicate 10-15 minutes each day for consistent learning.
Use Manipulatives: Pair worksheets with physical objects like blocks or counters.
Provide Encouragement: Celebrate progress and effort to build confidence.
Check Progress: Use the included answer key to review work together.

Common Mistakes to Watch For

Confusing similes and metaphors. Remember: similes use 'like' or 'as', and metaphors do not. 'She is like a star' is a simile; 'She is a star' is a metaphor.
Reading figurative language literally. If a story says 'His feet were blocks of ice,' it does not mean his feet turned into real ice; it means they felt very cold.
Forgetting to identify the shared quality. When you read a simile or metaphor, ask 'What two things are being compared, and what do they have in common?' to truly understand the meaning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor?

A simile compares two different things using the words 'like' or 'as', such as 'as quiet as a mouse' or 'sings like an angel.' A metaphor compares two different things directly by saying one thing IS the other, without 'like' or 'as'. For example, 'The classroom was a zoo' is a metaphor. Both create vivid images, but only similes use the signal words.

What is figurative language?

Figurative language is writing that does not mean exactly what the words say. Instead, it uses comparisons or special expressions to paint a picture. Similes, metaphors, idioms, and personification are all kinds of figurative language. The opposite of figurative is literal, which means the plain, exact meaning of the words.

How do I find a simile in a sentence?

Look for the words 'like' or 'as'. If the sentence compares two different things using one of those words, it is a simile. For example, 'Her smile was as bright as the sun' is a simile because it uses 'as' to compare the smile to the sun's brightness.

How do I figure out what a metaphor means?

First, find the two things being compared. Then ask what they have in common. In 'My grandfather is a rock,' grandfather is compared to a rock. Rocks are strong and steady, so the metaphor means grandfather is strong, steady, and dependable for the family.

Why do writers use similes and metaphors?

Writers use similes and metaphors to make their writing more interesting, clear, and exciting. These comparisons help readers picture scenes, feel emotions, and understand ideas in fresh ways. They are especially common in poetry, songs, and stories, but also appear in everyday speech, like 'I am starving' or 'time flies.'

Are these worksheets really free?

Yes! All our worksheets are 100% free to download and print. There's no subscription, no hidden fees, and no registration required.

Can I use these in my classroom?

Absolutely! Teachers are welcome to print and use these worksheets in their classrooms. Make as many copies as needed for your students.

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Similes and Metaphors Worksheets

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