M ETAPHORS

METAPHOR  Comparing two different object using a form of the verb IS.  (is, are, was, were, am)  A DIRECT comparison—saying one thing IS another thing. My mind IS a vault, filled with secrets and treasured memories. © 2003 clipart.com

METAPHOR— CLASS DISCUSSION  What do the following metaphors mean?  1. The umbrella WAS a roof over my head. Meaning--The umbrella gave shelter from the rain.  2. The cats WERE bolts of lightning as they chased the mouse.  Meaning--They ran fast.  3. My teacher IS an army sergeant.  Meaning--The teacher is strict.  Which statement is more entertaining and visual—fact or metaphor?

M ETAPHORS —C HECK UP #1  On notebook paper, choose the meaning for each metaphor.  1. Brian was a wall, bouncing every tennis ball back over the net. The metaphor compares Brian to a wall because A. He was very tall. B. He was very strong. C. He kept returning the balls. D. His body was made of bricks. Next page….

M ETAPHORS —C HECK UP #1  2. We would have had more pizza to eat, but Bob was a hog and ate most of it! The metaphor compares Bob to a hog because A. Bob looked like a hog. B. Bob ate a lot…like a hog. C. Bob smelled like a hog. D. Bob was as smart as a hog. Next page…..

M ETAPHORS —C HECK UP #1  3. Cindy was such a mule and we could never get her to change her mind!  The metaphor compares to a mule because she was  A. Always eating oats  B. Able to do hard work  C. Raised on a farm  D. Very stubborn Next page….

M ETAPHORS —C HECK UP #1  4. The poor rat didn’t have a chance. Our old cat is a speeding bullet and caught his prey.  The metaphor compares the cat to a speeding bullet because  A. The cat was very bright  B. The cat was very old  C. The cat was very fast.  D. The cat was not fond of fleas. Turn in papers now….

M ETAPHORS —C HECK UP #1 ANSWERS  1. C--He kept returning the balls.  2. B--Bob ate a lot…like a hog.  3. D--Very stubborn  4. C--The cat was very fast.