Use of comparators enrich the spoken and written word by making it more interesting and compelling.
Let’s take a brief moment – maybe over a coffee break – to have a refresher on similes and metaphors.
Do you know the difference?
A simile is used where two things are directly compared because they share a common feature. In this case the words “as” or “like” are used to link and compare the two words. For example, “as cold as a dog’s nose” or “as cold as ice”.
A metaphor is also used to compare two things but does so more directly without using “as” or “like”. For example: “The shop was a little gold-mine”.
If you have more time, learn more about similes and metaphors using the book English Grammar in Use – available on Amazon and elsewhere.
Now take what you’ve learned and complete the following exercises. They should only take you 5 minutes or so.
Exercise One
At the end of the sentence, write in brackets whether the sentence is an example of a metaphor or simile.
Example: The clouds were fluffy like cotton wool. (SIMILE)
- As slippery as an eel.
- Arnie was a man-mountain.
- He was a lion in battle.
- She is as pretty as a picture.
- The striker was a goal machine.
- The torch lit up the room as if the sun had risen early.
- The moon was a misty shadow.
- My friend has a face like a bag of spanners.
Exercise Two
Now you are going to make up similes of your own by finishing these sentences.
For example: As good as gold
- As heavy as
- As cold as
- As hard as
- She had skin like a
- As cool as
- As quick as
- He was slow like a
- Slippery like a
Exercise Three
Now make up metaphors of your own and write them for others to assess using the comments section below.
To make it a little more fun I will give a prize of a free IELTS Essay Critique from Pass IELTS Higher to the person who contributes the best examples, with correct grammar, by 30th September 2011.
I am the sole judge and my decision will be final.
To your IELTS success,
James
P.S.
Don’t forget make up metaphors of your own and write them for others to assess using the comments section below.
Hello James. This post is great. I enjoy reading your Website. Below is my comment.
Exercise One
1. As slippery as an eel. (SIMILE)
2. Arnie was a man mountain. (METAPHOR)
3. He was a lion in battle. (METAPHOR)
4. She is as pretty as a picture. (SIMILE)
5. The striker was a goal machine. (METAPHOR)
6. The torch lit up the room as if the sun had risen early. (SIMILE)
7. The moon was a misty shadow. (METAPHOR)
8. My friend has a face like a bag of spanners. (SIMILE)
Exercise Two
1. As heavy as tons of steels.
2. As cold as a lifeless door.
3. As hard as a torture.
4. She has skin like a reddish apple.
5. As cool as fresh fruits.
6. He was slow like a millennium.
7. Slippery like a catch of frog.
Exercise Three
1. Your encouraging words are a restorative that nourishes my soul.
2. The rain yesterday was a doleful cry to him.
3. This sport car is a brave torrent.
4. The river is a charming girl under the bright rays of sunshine.
5. His kind acts were a pearl of an immense ocean.
6. The computer is an invaluable encyclopedia of all time.
7. The love of a mother is a sea of countless flowers.
8. The trip was a fresh summer shower that refreshes his mind.
Hi Tessa, Thank you for responding to the challenge. Some of your answers are very good. Let’s see if anyone else rises to the challenge.
Regards, James
Thank you, James. I would need to try more.
Hi Tessa, Please will you contact me to claim your prize of a free IELTS Essay critique. I know you have students and you may wish to submit an entry from one of your students. That would be fine too. Regards, James
Thank you so much, James. I am a fourth-year student of English major now. I will become a teacher of English in the future. I am very happy to get the prize.
Best wishes,
Tessa
can I use metaphor and simile in writing task 2
Hi Simranjeet
Thank you for visiting the site and your very useful question.
You can use ONE simile and ONE metaphor in your writing and your speaking.
Any more is too much and doesn’t get you extra marks in either exam.
Don’t hesitate to ask me any more questions.
Good Luck in your IELTS exam
Andrea