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Grade 3 Figurative Language Worksheet with Answers

Grade 3 (US) · Year 4 (UK) · Class 3 (India) · English

Unit 6: Going FurtherAdvanced: Grade 4 PreviewCCSS L.4.5aAdvanced

Similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia and alliteration — and what they mean. This free upper elementary worksheet has 12 questions and a full answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF — every answer is checked by code, not guessed.

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Figurative Language

Grade 3 · English

Score___ / 12

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Learning goal: Advanced: Grade 4 Preview · CCSS L.4.5a

Directions: This worksheet has 3 parts. Read the instructions at the start of each part.

Example

Simile or metaphor? 'Her eyes sparkled like diamonds.'

Answer: simile

RememberFigurative language

Similecompares using like / asas busy as a beeMetaphorsays one thing IS anotherthe classroom was a zooPersonificationhuman traits for thingsthe wind whisperedHyperbolehuge exaggerationI could sleep for a yearAlliterationsame first soundslippery silver snakesOnomatopoeiaa word that is a soundbuzz, crash, pop
Part A

Match each clue to the right word. Write the letter in the box.

  1. 1What kind of figurative language is 'Silly snakes slither slowly'?
  2. 2What does the simile 'as cold as ice' mean?
  3. 3What kind of figurative language is 'I've told you a million times'?
  4. 4What kind of figurative language is 'The sun smiled down on us'?
  5. 5What kind of figurative language is 'Buzz! Crash! Pop!'?
  • AHyperbole
  • BOnomatopoeia
  • CVery cold
  • DPersonification
  • EAlliteration
Part B

Simile or Metaphor? Tick one box for each.

SimileMetaphor
6My brother is a couch potato.
7He runs like the wind.
8She is as busy as a bee.
Part C

Answer each question. Use full sentences where you can.

  1. 9

    What does the hyperbole 'This backpack weighs a ton' mean?

  2. 10

    What does the metaphor 'The classroom was a zoo' mean?

  3. 11

    Turn this into a simile: 'The baby is quiet.'

  4. 12

    What kind of figurative language is 'The leaves danced in the wind'?

★ Challenge corner for fast finishers

What is full of holes but still holds water?

How did I do?

Teacher's comments

Free printable worksheets with answer keys · aethelsystems.com/worksheets/english/3/figurative_language

Answer key (click to show)
  1. 1.E — alliteration
  2. 2.C — very cold
  3. 3.A — hyperbole
  4. 4.D — personification
  5. 5.B — onomatopoeia
  6. 6.metaphor
  7. 7.simile
  8. 8.simile
  9. 9.the backpack is very heavy
  10. 10.the classroom was noisy and wild
  11. 11.The baby is as quiet as a mouse. (any 'like/as' comparison)
  12. 12.personification
  13. ★a sponge (challenge corner)

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  • Use it as a 10–15 minute warm-up or homework task rather than a long drill.
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