Have you ever been as angry as a bull when you’re trying to study and nothing seems to work? Or maybe you are a stubborn mule who refuses to give up even when the going gets tough. Which ever one you are, if you can answer these questions, then you comprehended two very important Literary Elements. Probably you didn’t even know they were Literary Elements because they are so common place in speaking.

More review materials: Reasoning Through Language Arts

The Literary Elements I am referring to are called Similes and Metaphors. These are both used when making comparisons between two things in order to emphasize a point. But, even though they are both used for the same purpose they are slightly different from one another.

A simile uses the phrases “like” or “as” where as a metaphor compares two unlike things by simply declaring it so.

So, an example of a simile would be “as angry as a bull”….

And the example of a metaphor would be the phrase, “you are a stubborn bull.”

Can you see the differences? Pretty obvious, right?

In which case, let’s stop all this talking and start practicing. Below is a picture of a Mediterranean Beach. On the outsides of the picture are simile and metaphor starters. Go ahead and take a minute to finish them. Then, decide which is a simile and which is a metaphor. Below the picture will be examples and answers. Have fun, and don’t do too much daydreaming lookin’ at that picture!

We have Practice Test that you can use: GED® Reasoning Through Language Arts Practice Tests

The water was clear as diamonds. (Simile)

The purple flowers were the brightest crayon in the entire box. (Metaphor)

The sun beat down like a ruthless king, refusing to give up its powerful reign over us. (Simile)

The homes were mountains, reaching high into the clouds. (Metaphor)

In the sea we were dolphins, splashing and laughing with the waves. (Metaphor)

The sand was as hot at the sun. (Simile)

The people were schools of fish, not wanting to escape the company of one another in the sea. (Metaphor)

So after writing your own and reading mine, can you see the extra imagery and strength that similes and metaphors offer. Good stuff, right? Finding a picture like this and writing your own similes and metaphors is a very simple way to study for the GED Reading Test. So keep on studying and by the time you take the GED Test you’ll be as sharp as a tack when you’re asking to identify them.

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