20895 ACE Language (Yr 6) Structures and Language Features

Humorous language – 1
Many literary devices can be used to create humour. Similes and metaphors are two such
devices.
A simile is a figure of speech which compares two different things
using the words ’like’ or ’as’; for example, ’as quick as a fox’, ’as white
as a sheet’, ’eat like a horse’ etc.
1. Complete the ending of these common similes.
(a) to fight like (b) as blind as a
(c) as cold as (d) to sleep like a
(e) to work like a (f) as light as a
(f) as slow as a (g) to sing like an
2. Write some similes of your own using the words provided. These may be longer than a
single word or two as long as the description suits the word. They can also be funny!
(a) slow
(b) peanut butter
(c) black
(d) smelly
(e) eat like
A metaphor is a figure of speech which compares without using ’like’ or ’as’. It says
something IS something else; for example, ’His hair is bone white’; ’She has a heart
of gold’.
3. Complete these well-known metaphors. After each say what it means.
(a) The soldier has the heart of .
(b) His wife was the light of .
(c) The children were jumping .
(d) After their lottery win, they were rolling .
(e) The teacher told the children to pull .
(f) It rained cats .
4. Write some metaphors of your own using the words given. They can be funny!
(a) The meal was .
(b) The baby’s face was .
(c) A clear conscience is .
(d) Technology is .
Australian Curriculum English – Language: Text structure and organisation (Year 6) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ®
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Understand how authors often innovate on text structures and play with language features to achieve particular aesthetic, humorous and persuasive purposes and effects (ACELA1518)
© Australian Curriculum: Assessment and Reporting Authority 2012