Grade 4 Figurative Language worksheet
from Gradelings · Name: ______________________
How to explain it
- A simile compares with like or as. A metaphor says one thing is another.
- Personification gives human actions to things: the wind whispered.
- Onomatopoeia is a sound word (crunch). Alliteration repeats first sounds (silly snakes slide).
Example: “The leaves danced across the yard.” What kind of figurative language is this? Leaves can’t really dance. Dancing is something people do. Giving a thing a human action is personification. Answer: personification
Question 1
Which sentence uses a simile?
- Fluffy feathers floated from the fence.
- The icicles hung like glass fingers from the roof.
- The moon peeked out from behind a cloud.
- The fog was a grey blanket over the town.
The icicles hung like glass fingers from the roof.
Hint: A simile compares two different things using “like” or “as”.
Question 2
What does this metaphor mean?
The fog was a grey blanket over the town.
- Someone put a blanket over the town.
- Thick fog covered the whole town.
- The fog was warm and cozy.
- The town was painted grey.
Thick fog covered the whole town.
Hint: A blanket covers things. How is the fog like a blanket?
Question 3
What kind of figurative language is in this sentence?
The fog was a grey blanket over the town.
- metaphor
- alliteration
- personification
- onomatopoeia
metaphor
Hint: A metaphor compares by saying one thing IS another, without “like” or “as”.
Question 4
Which sentence uses personification?
- The leaves danced in the autumn breeze.
- The snow was as soft as a pillow.
- Clever Carlos carried a crate of carrots.
- Splash! Kenji jumped into the pool.
The leaves danced in the autumn breeze.
Hint: Personification gives human actions or feelings to something that isn't human.
Question 5
What does this simile mean?
The kitten's fur felt like warm velvet.
- The kitten's fur was very soft.
- The kitten's fur was wet.
- The kitten's fur was prickly.
- The kitten was wearing clothes.
The kitten's fur was very soft.
Hint: Velvet is a very soft cloth.
Question 6
Which sentence uses onomatopoeia?
- Penny picked pretty purple petunias.
- The moon peeked out from behind a cloud.
- The snow was as soft as a pillow.
- Buzz! An insect zoomed past my ear.
Buzz! An insect zoomed past my ear.
Hint: Onomatopoeia is a word that sounds like the noise it names, like “sizzle” or “splash”.
Question 7
Which sentence uses alliteration?
- Woof! Our dog heard the doorbell.
- Penny picked pretty purple petunias.
- The lake was as smooth as glass.
- The flowers nodded their heads in the rain.
Penny picked pretty purple petunias.
Hint: Alliteration repeats the same beginning sound in words that are close together.
Question 8
Which word is an example of onomatopoeia?
- table
- quickly
- crunch
- happy
crunch
Hint: Say each word out loud. Which one sounds like the noise it names?
Question 9
What does this personification mean?
Time crawled during the long car ride.
- The car ride went by quickly.
- Someone crawled inside the car.
- The car ride felt very slow.
- The clock fell on the floor.
The car ride felt very slow.
Hint: Time can't really crawl. Crawling is slow, so the ride felt slow.
Question 10
What does this sentence mean?
Kai's good news was music to my ears.
- I couldn't hear what Kai said.
- Kai spoke too loudly.
- Kai was singing a song.
- I was very happy to hear what Kai said.
I was very happy to hear what Kai said.
Hint: Music is pleasant to listen to. How did the news make the listener feel?
Answer key
- 1. The icicles hung like glass fingers from the roof.
- 2. Thick fog covered the whole town.
- 3. metaphor
- 4. The leaves danced in the autumn breeze.
- 5. The kitten's fur was very soft.
- 6. Buzz! An insect zoomed past my ear.
- 7. Penny picked pretty purple petunias.
- 8. crunch
- 9. The car ride felt very slow.
- 10. I was very happy to hear what Kai said.
Want more than 10 questions?
In Gradelings the questions change every time and adjust to your child, with hints and kind feedback.