Vocabulary Worksheet · Grades 4–7
Types of Figurative Language Worksheet
A printable vocabulary worksheet for grades 4-7 that builds the skill of recognizing the five most common types of figurative language. Students label 8 sentences as simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, or idiom in Section A and interpret 6 figurative sentences in Section B. A complete answer key is included.
Subject
Vocabulary
Grades
Grades 4–7
Skill Focus
Types of Figurative Language, figurative language
Lesson Length
20 minutes
Lesson Overview
About this worksheet
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE means saying something that is not literally true to paint a vivid picture or show a strong feeling. The five types covered here – simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, and idiom – show up in everyday speech, in books, and in classroom writing. Helping students spot each one and explain what the speaker really means is one of the highest-impact vocabulary skills for both reading comprehension and writing voice.
Section A gives students 8 sentences and asks which type each is. The set covers all five types: two metaphors (‘was a zoo’, ‘was thunder’), two hyperboles (‘weighs a thousand pounds’, ‘waited a year’), one simile (‘runs like the wind’), two personifications (‘door groaned’, ‘stars winked’), and one idiom (‘bite the bullet’). Students write the type on the answer line.
Section B raises the difficulty: students read 6 figurative sentences (on cloud nine, heavy as a brick, wind whispered, starving in years, time flew by, the room is a furnace) and write what the speaker really means in plain words. The reference box at the top of page 1 defines figurative language and gives one short example of each of the five types. Page 2 is a complete answer key in compact format.
How to Use This Lesson
Read the reference box aloud and walk through one example of each of the five types (simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, idiom). Ask students to add one more example of each from their own experience.
Work Section A independently; remind students that two clues to type are the words used (‘like’/’as’ = simile, no comparison = personification) and whether the statement is impossible (hyperbole or idiom).
For Section B, model item 9 (‘on cloud nine’) aloud: the literal meaning would mean Maya is floating, so the real meaning must describe a strong feeling – ‘very happy’.
Use the answer key on page 2 for self-check or aide spot-check.
Pair with the Idioms Worksheet, Similes and Metaphors Worksheet, Personification Worksheet, or Hyperbole Worksheet for deeper practice on any single type.
Printable Resource
A classroom-ready PDF with everything in one printable resource.
Free Member Resource · Printable PDF · 2 pages · Answer Key
Types of Figurative Language Worksheet
A printable vocabulary worksheet for grades 4-7 that builds the skill of recognizing the five most common types of figurative language. Students label 8 sentences as simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, or idiom in Section A and interpret 6 figurative sentences in Section B. A complete answer key is included.
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