Grade 7Englisheasy
Figurative Language Practice for Grade 7
This worksheet covers identifying and creating various types of figurative language including similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, alliteration, onomatopoeia, and idioms.
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figurative-languagegrade-7englishsimilemetaphorpersonificationhyperbolealliterationonomatopoeiaidiomsmiddle-school
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What Your Child Will Learn
- Identify and distinguish between seven types of figurative language (similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, alliteration, onomatopoeia, and idioms) in written sentences
- Create original examples of each figurative language device that demonstrate clear understanding of how each type conveys meaning or emotion
- Explain how figurative language enhances descriptive writing by making comparisons, adding sound effects, or emphasizing ideas in Grade 7 texts
- Apply knowledge of figurative language to recognize these devices in everyday communication, advertisements, and popular media
How to Use This Worksheet
- Step 1: Review the definitions and examples of all seven figurative language types before starting the worksheet. Create a quick reference chart with one clear example for each type (simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, alliteration, onomatopoeia, idiom) that you can refer back to while working through problems.
- Step 2: Work through the identification problems first (typically the first 7-10 problems). For each sentence, ask: 'Which figurative language device is being used here?' and match it to your reference chart. Underline or highlight the key words that signal the type of figurative language.
- Step 3: Once identification problems are complete, move to the creation problems. For each type of figurative language you need to create, brainstorm 2-3 topic ideas before writing your final answer. This prevents rushed, generic examples.
- Step 4: Review your created examples by checking if they clearly demonstrate the specific device. Read aloud to a partner or parent—figurative language often sounds better when spoken, and hearing it helps you catch weak examples.
- Step 5: Correct any missed problems by returning to your reference chart and explaining why your original answer was incorrect. Write a corrected version next to the original to reinforce learning.
Tips for Parents & Teachers
Many students confuse similes and metaphors because both make comparisons—clarify that similes use 'like' or 'as' while metaphors state a direct comparison without these words. Have students circle the comparison words to practice this distinction before moving to problem-solving.
Students often struggle with hyperbole because they think it means lying; explain that hyperbole is an intentional exaggeration used for effect or humor (e.g., 'I've told you a million times'). Use relatable examples from their daily language to show this is something they already use naturally.
When creating original examples, students may produce bland comparisons (e.g., 'The snow is like white'). Push them to think about unique qualities: what does the thing DO, FEEL like, or REMIND you of? This helps them move beyond surface-level descriptions to meaningful figurative language.
Some students rush through identifying personification and miss subtle examples. Remind them to ask: 'Is this object or animal doing something that only humans can do?' This question helps them spot personification in tricky sentences where human actions aren't as obvious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important for 7th graders to learn figurative language?
Figurative language helps students become better readers and writers. In reading, recognizing these devices helps them understand deeper meanings in texts and appreciate an author's style. In writing, using figurative language makes their own compositions more interesting, vivid, and engaging. By Grade 7, students are reading more complex literature where figurative language is essential to comprehension, so this is a critical foundational skill.
How is an idiom different from a metaphor? My student is confused about both.
Great question! A metaphor directly compares two things by saying one thing IS another ('Her voice is music'). An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the individual words alone ('It's raining cats and dogs' doesn't mean animals are falling from the sky—it means heavy rain). Idioms are fixed phrases with special meanings that are learned as a whole, while metaphors are creative comparisons you can make in different ways. Help your student by showing that idioms are 'learned sayings' specific to a language or culture, while metaphors are 'creative comparisons' you can create.
My student created a simile that says 'The cat is as quiet as silence.' Is this a strong example?
While it's grammatically correct, this simile is weak because 'silence' is already the absence of sound, making the comparison obvious and clichéd. Encourage your student to think of more creative, unexpected comparisons that reveal something new about the cat. For example: 'The cat moves as quietly as fog rolling across a field' or 'as a shadow sliding across the floor.' Strong similes compare something to something unexpected that helps the reader see it in a new way.
How can I help my student remember the difference between personification and hyperbole?
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