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Similes and Metaphors — Answers

Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the Year 6 vocabulary worksheet.

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Year 6 · English · Vocabulary

Similes and Metaphors — Answers

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Part A — Simile or metaphor?

A simile compares using like or as. A metaphor says one thing *is* another. Circle the type.

1.The classroom was a zoo.
  1. Asimile
  2. Bmetaphor

Answer: metaphor

It says the classroom *was* a zoo, without 'like' or 'as'.

2.Her smile was as bright as the sun.
  1. Asimile
  2. Bmetaphor

Answer: simile

'As bright as' makes a direct comparison.

3.He ran like the wind.
  1. Asimile
  2. Bmetaphor

Answer: simile

The comparison uses 'like'.

4.Time is a thief.
  1. Asimile
  2. Bmetaphor

Answer: metaphor

It says time *is* a thief.

5.The road was a ribbon of silver.
  1. Asimile
  2. Bmetaphor

Answer: metaphor

The road is described as being a ribbon.

6.The baby slept like a log.
  1. Asimile
  2. Bmetaphor

Answer: simile

The comparison uses 'like'.

Part B — What does it really mean?

Explain each expression in plain words.

7.The exam was a breeze.

Answer: The exam was very easy.

8.His words cut like a knife.

Answer: His words were sharp and hurtful.

9.She has a heart of gold.

Answer: She is very kind and generous.

10.My feet were blocks of ice.

Answer: My feet were extremely cold.

11.The news spread like wildfire.

Answer: The news spread very quickly.

12.The toddler was a tornado in the lounge room.

Answer: The toddler was wild and left a mess everywhere.

Part C — Finish the simile

Complete each well-known simile.

13.as busy as a

Answer: bee

14.as quiet as a

Answer: mouse

15.as cold as

Answer: ice

16.as light as a

Answer: feather

17.as stubborn as a

Answer: mule

18.as brave as a

Answer: lion

Part D — Your turn

19.Write two original similes and two original metaphors to describe a storm at the beach. Avoid the common ones from Part C.

Model answer: Similes: The waves charged at the shore like a stampede of grey horses. Rain hit the sand as hard as thrown gravel. Metaphors: The sky was a bruise spreading over the bay. The wind was a furious drummer on the roof of the surf club.

Success criteria:

  • Two similes using 'like' or 'as'
  • Two metaphors that state one thing is another
  • Comparisons are original, not well-known phrases
  • Each one creates a clear picture of the storm
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Marking tips

  • Give credit for correct method even when the final answer slips — the working shows where the thinking went right.
  • For open-ended tasks, use the success criteria as a checklist rather than looking for one "right" answer.
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