Free sample activity · Grades 6–8

Figurative Language Practice

These original examples cover simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, and alliteration. Read each sentence in context; identifying a device is a starting point for explaining what it does.

Try the Activity Read questions & explanations

6 questions · No account · No timer · Immediate feedback

Before you begin

How to use this activity

Allow about five minutes. Read each example aloud, then explain the relevant comparison, human quality, exaggeration, or sound pattern before choosing.

This is a short knowledge check. For BrainFusion gameplay, explore Quiz Quest or the shared game library.

Try a knowledge check 6 questions · No account needed

Put it into practice

Choose an answer, read the explanation, then move to the next question. Your answers stay in this page and are not saved.

Simile

Which device appears in 'Her backpack felt as heavy as a boulder'?

Simile Onomatopoeia Alliteration
Answer: A.

The sentence compares the backpack with a boulder using as. The comparison emphasizes how heavy the backpack feels.

Metaphor

In 'The library was an ocean of stories,' what does 'ocean' suggest?

The library is flooded. There are many stories to explore. The books are made of seawater.
Answer: B.

The metaphor presents the library as a vast place full of stories. It is a comparison, not a claim that the library contains a real ocean.

Personification

Which device appears in 'The wind whispered through the window'?

Hyperbole only A literal human speaker Personification
Answer: C.

The sentence gives the wind the human action of whispering. That personification suggests a soft sound.

Hyperbole

Which sentence uses deliberate exaggeration?

I waited a million years for the bus. I waited ten minutes for the bus. The bus arrived at noon.
Answer: A.

A million years exaggerates the wait to show frustration or impatience. Hyperbole is not meant as a precise factual measurement.

Onomatopoeia

In 'The bees buzzed beside the fence,' which word imitates a sound?

Fence Buzzed Beside
Answer: B.

Buzzed echoes the sound associated with bees. A word that imitates a sound is an example of onomatopoeia.

Alliteration

What sound pattern appears in 'Silver snakes slid silently'?

End rhyme Repeated vowel endings only Repeated initial s sounds
Answer: C.

Several nearby words begin with the same s sound. Repetition of initial consonant sounds is alliteration.

This activity demonstrates questions and feedback. Explore Quiz Quest or the shared game library using the links above to try BrainFusion gameplay.

Keep the reasoning

All questions, answers & explanations

Use this review before or after practice. You can read and print it without JavaScript.

  1. Simile

    Which device appears in 'Her backpack felt as heavy as a boulder'?

    Answer: Simile

    The sentence compares the backpack with a boulder using as. The comparison emphasizes how heavy the backpack feels.

  2. Metaphor

    In 'The library was an ocean of stories,' what does 'ocean' suggest?

    Answer: There are many stories to explore.

    The metaphor presents the library as a vast place full of stories. It is a comparison, not a claim that the library contains a real ocean.

  3. Personification

    Which device appears in 'The wind whispered through the window'?

    Answer: Personification

    The sentence gives the wind the human action of whispering. That personification suggests a soft sound.

  4. Hyperbole

    Which sentence uses deliberate exaggeration?

    Answer: I waited a million years for the bus.

    A million years exaggerates the wait to show frustration or impatience. Hyperbole is not meant as a precise factual measurement.

  5. Onomatopoeia

    In 'The bees buzzed beside the fence,' which word imitates a sound?

    Answer: Buzzed

    Buzzed echoes the sound associated with bees. A word that imitates a sound is an example of onomatopoeia.

  6. Alliteration

    What sound pattern appears in 'Silver snakes slid silently'?

    Answer: Repeated initial s sounds

    Several nearby words begin with the same s sound. Repetition of initial consonant sounds is alliteration.

Take it one step further

Choose one example and rewrite it literally. Explain which effect is lost when the figurative language or sound pattern is removed.

Bring your own content

Make the next activity yours.

Create a BrainFusion learning game from a topic, enter your own questions, or import a question set. Review the content, choose a game format, and share it with learners in their browser.

Create a Game FreeGames for middle schools

The free plan includes a five-game limit and three one-time AI generation credits.