Metaphors · Grade 5
In Grade 5 you learn: the effect of a comparison.
A metaphor says one thing is another, with no like or as: Time is a thief. The test was a breeze. It isn't meant literally: it gives a picture that helps us feel or understand something. An extended metaphor carries the same picture on through several sentences.
Key facts
- Metaphor: Time is a thief. The test was a breeze. (no like, no as).
- The effect: a strong picture in a few words. The playground was an oven makes us feel the heat more than it was very hot.
Worked examples
Example 1
Simile or metaphor? Her words were daggers.
Answer: metaphor
Example 2
What does The test was a breeze. mean?
Answer: The test was very easy.
Example 3
Find the metaphor: The classroom was a fridge this morning.
Answer: The classroom was a fridge: the room was very cold.
Example 4
Explain the effect of the metaphor: The playground was an oven.
Answer: It makes us feel how hot it was, more strongly than it was very hot.