7th grade Figures of speech and allusions worksheet

Figures of speech and allusions

Grade 7 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

Circle the best answer.

1. 1.

   “After the relay, Milo's legs felt like wet noodles. Link card: Words “felt like wet noodles” → Meaning: ________” Ari reads this sentence. Which choice names the figure of speech and says what it suggests?

   • simile: Milo's legs felt weak and wobbly
   • simile: Milo had just finished a relay
   • metaphor: Milo's legs felt weak and wobbly
   • simile: Milo's legs had turned into real noodles
2. 2.

   “Kira's voice was a bell across the playground. Link card: Words “voice was a bell” → What both share: ________” Bo reads this sentence. What do the two things in the comparison share?

   • Both are soft and easy to miss.
   • Both are found on a playground.
   • Both ring out clearly.
   • Both are made of metal.

3. Read this first

   Story card (Greek myth)

   King Midas wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. The wish came true, and soon his food turned to gold too, so he begged to have the gift taken back.
   Sentence: Whatever Luz sold at the fair, the Midas touch made it a hit.
   Link card: Story → what the story points to: ________

4. 3.

   Esme reads the story card and the sentence. What does the allusion suggest?

   • Luz had a gift for making each project a success.
   • Luz's fingers turned the items into real gold.
   • Luz made a wish that came with a hidden problem.
   • Luz's projects usually fell apart before the fair ended.
5. 4.

   “During the pep rally, the gym was a beehive. Link card: Words “the gym was a beehive” → Meaning: ________” Jun reads this sentence. Which choice names the figure of speech and says what it suggests?

   • simile: the gym was busy, crowded and buzzing with noise
   • metaphor: the gym was busy, crowded and buzzing with noise
   • metaphor: the gym was full of real bees buzzing around
   • metaphor: a pep rally was held in the gym that afternoon

6. Sentence

   In class, Noah's answer was as clear as glass.
   Link card: Words “as clear as glass” → What both share: ________

7. 5.

   Kira reads this sentence. What do the two things in the comparison share?

   • Both are smooth, hard and cool to touch.
   • Both are clear: easy to see through or understand.
   • Both can be found in a classroom at school.
   • Both are cloudy, dull and hard to follow.

8. Story card (Greek myth)

   In a well-known retelling, Pandora was told not to open a sealed jar (later called a box). Curious, she lifted the lid, and many troubles flew out into the world. Only hope stayed inside.
   Sentence: Tala warned, “If you read those old group messages, you will open Pandora's box.”
   Link card: Story → what the story points to: ________

9. 6.

   Luz reads the story card and the sentence. What does the allusion suggest?

   • Reading them could set off many troubles that are hard to stop.
   • The old messages are stored inside a real jar with a lid.
   • Reading them would make the old problems disappear for good.
   • Reading them is something a curious person would do, like Pandora.
10. 7.

    “All the way to school, the wind tugged at Kira's hat. Link card: Words “the wind tugged” → Meaning: ________” Milo reads this sentence. Which choice names the figure of speech and says what it suggests?

    • personification: Kira walked to school the whole way
    • personification: the wind had hands and held the hat
    • simile: the wind pulled hard at the hat
    • personification: the wind pulled hard at the hat
11. 8.

    “At sunrise, the lake was a mirror. Link card: Words “the lake was a mirror” → What both share: ________” Noah reads this sentence. What do the two things in the comparison share?

    • Both are smooth and give back a reflection.
    • Both have a frame around the edge, like a picture.
    • Both appear at sunrise, early in the day.
    • Both are rough, choppy and full of waves.

12. Sentence

    Pia moved through the crowded hallway like a fish through a stream.
    Link card: Words “like a fish through a stream” → What both share: ________

13. 9.

    Tala reads this sentence. What do the two things in the comparison share?

    • Both are surrounded by a crowd.
    • Both move smoothly and easily.
    • Both move slowly and get stuck.
    • Both have scales and fins.

14. Story card (fable by Aesop)

    A fast hare laughs at a slow tortoise, and they race. The hare dashes ahead and naps. The tortoise keeps plodding and wins.
    Sentence: At the spelling bee, Tala's slow, steady practice beat the flashy cramming of the others, a real Tortoise and the Hare ending.
    Link card: Story → what the story points to: ________

15. 10.

    Zee reads the story card and the sentence. What does the allusion suggest?

    • Tala raced a tortoise at the spelling bee last week.
    • Steady effort over time beat fast but careless effort.
    • Tala fell asleep during the spelling bee, like the hare.
    • Quick, flashy work beats slow and steady practice.