Similes in Poetry

Similes and metaphors are poetic devices. What does this mean?

• Every poem includes at least one simile or metaphor.

• Similes and metaphors are commonly found in poetry.

• Similes are metaphors are rarely used in poetry.

• Similes and metaphors are tricks that poets use to trick their readers.

What is a simile?

• A comparison that uses the words "like" or "as"

• A comparison that does not use the words "like" or "as"

• An adverbial phrase that compares one thing to another

• A type of poem in which two things are compared

Which of the following sentences contains a simile?

• The mouse was quiet.

• The mouse was whisper-quiet.

• The mouse was as quiet as a whisper.

• The mouse's footsteps sounded whispery.

Which of the following could be added to the phrase, "My cat is black" to form a simile?

• and furry.

• all over.

• in color.

• as ink.

Which of the following sentences contains a simile?

• She was a gazelle.

• She ran faster than a gazelle.

• A gazelle couldn't run faster than she did.

• She was as graceful as a gazelle.

What is a metaphor?

• A comparison that uses the words "like" or "as"

• A comparison that does not use the words "like" or "as"

• An adverbial phrase that compares one thing to another

• A type of poem in which two things are compared

In the sentence, "When the cat stalks his prey, he is a shadow," what two things are being compared?

• the cat and its prey

• the cat and its shadow

• the cat and a shadow

• the prey and its shadow

Which of the following is a metaphor?

• His hair is as red as a flame.

• Like a flame, his hair is red.

• In the sunlight, his hair is a flame.

• His hair is red.

Which of the following sentences contains a metaphor?

• The house was a carnival.

• The house was noisy like a carnival.

• The house had a carnival-like atmosphere.

• The carnival moved into the house.

Sometimes, metaphors can be difficult to decipher. What's the best synonym for "decipher?"

• Compare

• Read

• Focus

• Figure out