Language & Literature

Figurative Language Quiz: Spot Similes, Metaphors, and More

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This quiz helps you spot figurative language in short lines and decide whether each example is a simile, metaphor, or personification. Get instant feedback and quick explanations as you go, then keep learning with our metaphor and simile practice, try a focused metaphor vs simile quiz, or broaden your skills with a figure of speech quiz.

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1Which of the following is a simile?
2Which sentence contains a metaphor?
3Identify the personification in the sentence: "The old house groaned under the weight of snow."
4What distinguishes a simile from a metaphor?
5What figurative device is used in: "He has a heart of stone"?
6"She was as sly as a fox" features which figurative language?
7Which of these is an example of personification?
8Which sentence is a metaphor?
9Identify the simile in the following sentence: "Her voice was as smooth as silk."
10Which sentence illustrates a simile?
11In "The sky cried tears of rain," which type of figurative speech is used?
12Which sentence is an example of a metaphor?
13Identify the simile in the sentence: "He fought like a lion to save his friend."
14Which example best illustrates personification?
15What is the figurative device in "The exam was a breeze"?
16Which sentence contains a simile?
17Identify the metaphor in this sentence: "Her words were bullets, piercing his heart."
18Which sentence uses personification?
19Find the simile in: "He was like a deer caught in headlights."
20Which of these is a metaphor?
21What type of figurative language is in: "The waves danced across the shore"?
22Which sentence includes a simile?
23Which sentence contains an implied metaphor?
24Identify the figure of speech in "His love is the air I breathe."
25Which is an absolute (nominal) metaphor?
26In the phrase "The classroom was a zoo," what type of metaphor is this considered?
27Which sentence contains both metaphor and personification?
28Identify the simile in this line from poetry: "Her face was like a blooming rose at dawn."
29Which sentence features a mixed metaphor?
30What type of figurative language is in: "My thoughts were stars I could not fathom into constellations"?
31"The foot of the mountain provided a sturdy resting place." Which word is an example of a dead metaphor?
32Identify the mixed metaphor in the following: "We'll nip this problem in the bud before it sinks its teeth into us."
33Which of these examples demonstrates both personification and metaphor?
34Which figurative device is illustrated by the phrase "a blanket of snow"?
35Identify the tenor and vehicle in the metaphor: "His voice was music to her ears."
Learning Goals

Study Outcomes

  1. Distinguish Similes -

    Identify and explain simile structures in sentences by spotting comparisons using "like" or "as," sharpening your analytical skills.

  2. Recognize Metaphors -

    Discover how metaphors convey ideas by stating one thing is another, enhancing your interpretive ability in our figurative language quiz online.

  3. Interpret Personification -

    Examine personification examples to understand how human traits are assigned to objects or ideas, refining your literary insight.

  4. Analyze "the curtain finally rose" -

    Apply your understanding of figurative language to decode the metaphorical meaning behind "the curtain finally rose" and similar prompts.

  5. Apply Figurative Techniques -

    Use your new skills to correctly identify simile and metaphor questions in diverse contexts, reinforcing your mastery of figurative language.

  6. Boost Literary Confidence -

    Grow your confidence in spotting similes, metaphors, and personification under time constraints, making you a more perceptive reader.

Study Guide

Cheat Sheet

  1. Similes vs. Metaphors -

    Similes use "like" or "as" (e.g., "as brave as a lion") while metaphors make direct comparisons (e.g., "the world is a stage"). Practice with simile and metaphor questions from university writing centers to solidify the difference. Remember: if it's "like" or "as," it's a simile.

  2. Spotting Personification -

    Personification attributes human qualities to non-human things (e.g., "the wind whispered secrets"). Reviewing personification examples quiz items from reputable sites like OWL Purdue helps you recognize this device quickly. Tip: ask, "Can this object literally perform this action?" If not, it's likely personification.

  3. Contextual Clues Matter -

    Sentences often give hints: tone, imagery, and surrounding words reveal figurative usage. Use a figurative language quiz online to test how context changes meaning - many academic journals emphasize context in interpretation. Annotate passages: underline comparisons and label them to practice identify similes & metaphors.

  4. Deconstructing "the curtain finally rose" -

    This phrase is a stage metaphor indicating a new beginning; it's not literal but figurative language. Breaking it down with examples from literary analysis guides shows how metaphors convey emotions and timing. Connect this to your own writing: what new act does your metaphor signal?

  5. Memory Tricks & Practice -

    Use the "SIM" mnemonic: Simile = "SImple 'like/as'," Metaphor = "Merges meanings." Flashcards and timed practice drills boost recall and confidence. Regularly challenge yourself with free scored quizzes - like a comprehensive figurative language quiz - to track growth.

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Michael HodgeEdTech Product Lead & Assessment Design SpecialistQuiz Maker
Updated Feb 22, 2026