Figurative Language and Literary Devices · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Reading Between the Lines

English · Reading Comprehension · ages 11-14
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Read the passage. 'Lena waited backstage for the play to start. Her stomach was full of butterflies.' What does 'her stomach was full of butterflies' really mean?

    • She ate a strange lunch before the play
    • She felt nervous and fluttery inside
    • Butterflies flew into the theater

  2. Which sentence contains a metaphor?

    • The pond was as smooth as glass on that still morning
    • The pond was smooth and still all morning long
    • The pond was a sheet of glass on that still morning

  3. Which sentence contains a simile?

    • Her smile was a ray of sunshine on a gray morning
    • Her smile was like a ray of sunshine on a gray morning
    • Her smile lit up the whole room on that cold gray morning

  4. A metaphor uses the word 'like' or 'as' to compare two things.

    Circle one:   True   False

  5. An author writes: 'The old house crouched at the end of the street, watching every visitor with dark, hollow eyes.' What tone does this word choice create?

    • Menacing
    • Cheerful
    • Calm

  6. When Sam refused to share his fries, his friends groaned, 'Don't be such a Scrooge.' What do his friends mean?

    • Sam is being generous, like a story character known for giving
    • His friends think his real name is Scrooge and are calling him
    • Sam is being stingy, like a story character who hated sharing

  7. An author wants the hallway to feel frightening. Which choice fits best? 'The lights ___ in the empty hallway.'

    • glowed warmly
    • sparkled brightly
    • flickered

  8. After carrying all the grocery bags in one trip, Mateo grinned and called his grandmother 'a real Hercules.' What does this allusion tell you?

    • She is very strong, like the hero whose name is being borrowed
    • She is from Greece, so the name gives her a national identity
    • She loves grocery shopping, so the name describes her favorite activity

  9. Read the passage. 'Sunlight spilled across the porch. The cat purred like a tiny engine, and the cocoa steamed in my hands.' What mood do these word choices create?

    • Tense and worried, because all three details signal danger and uncertainty
    • Cozy and safe, because the details feel warm, soft, and pleasant
    • Gloomy and gray, because the passage removes all light and comfort

  10. An author writes: 'Mara whispered the plan, glancing at the door.' Why did the author most likely choose 'whispered' instead of 'said'?

    • To show that Mara had a sore throat
    • To make the moment feel secret and careful
    • To make the sentence shorter
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Reading Between the Lines W1-mt_DVSHx3YMkN-s1

  1. She felt nervous and fluttery inside · The phrase is not literal. Butterflies in the stomach is a way of saying Lena felt nervous before going on stage.
  2. The pond was a sheet of glass on that still morning · A metaphor says one thing IS another. Here the pond 'was a sheet of glass,' with no 'like' or 'as.'
  3. Her smile was like a ray of sunshine on a gray morning · A simile compares two things using 'like' or 'as.' Only 'Her smile was like a ray of sunshine on a gray morning' uses 'like.'
  4. False · That describes a simile. A metaphor skips 'like' or 'as' and says one thing is another.
  5. Menacing · Words like 'crouched,' 'watching,' and 'hollow eyes' make the house feel like a predator, creating a menacing tone.
  6. Sam is being stingy, like a story character who hated sharing · Scrooge is a famous story character who hated sharing. The allusion calls Sam stingy without explaining the reference.
  7. flickered · 'Flickered' suggests lights blinking unsteadily, which feels spooky. 'Glowed' and 'sparkled' feel warm and pretty.
  8. She is very strong, like the hero whose name is being borrowed · Hercules is a hero from myth known for amazing strength. The allusion says the grandmother is very strong.
  9. Cozy and safe, because the details feel warm, soft, and pleasant · Warm details like sunlight, a purring cat, and steaming cocoa build a cozy, safe mood.
  10. To make the moment feel secret and careful · 'Whispered' is quiet and secretive. Paired with 'glancing at the door,' it makes the moment feel secret and careful.
Worksheet · LightMySky