FIGURATIVE
LANGUAGE
Grandma’s Garden
Read the story, “Grandma’s Garden”
Circle any types of figurative language
you find in the story.
Lay out the figurative language puzzle pieces.
These pieces highlight 8 types of figurative language –
simile, metaphor, idiom, alliteration, onomatopoeia,
cliché, personification, hyperbole.
Make the 8 puzzles! Match each type of
figurative language with its definition and
an example from the story.
Write your answers on the recording log.
Grandma’s Garden
The townspeople said Grandma’s flowers were the most exquisite flowers in the
entire world! It was only once in a blue moon that the flowers did not bloom. Grandpa used
to tell me all about her work. He would brag, “The rose bushes seemed to spread their
petals as visitors passed. The purple petunias sat mocking the irises that were not as
colorful as usual. Towering above the other plants, the sunflowers were a fence protecting
the geraniums.”
Stooping to the ground, Grandma would smell the sweet, scarlet flowers. When
people gawked at her garden, there was little noise and Grandma would stand as proud as
a peacock. Occasionally, a bee’s buzzing would break the silence and the giggles of children
would echo through the neighborhood.
As Grandpa spoke his face would change. Instead of recalling fond memories, his
face would become sad as he remembered the day Grandma’s heart was broken.
“At that time there were lots of children in the neighborhood and they loved racing
down our long street. On the last day of summer, the children were having their final race.
The winner would become the best runner of the summer. So focused on winning the race,
the children sprawled out all over the road and into people’s yards. That’s when it
happened. The neighborhood children came barreling towards Grandma’s flowers.
Grandma’s eyes filled with tears as she watched the children trample her beautiful daises.
Her heart was heavy with sadness, and the roses wept for their smashed friends. With
most of her flowers folded over, only time would tell if the flowers would
survive. Unfortunately, Grandma’s garden was much smaller that year.”
DEFINITION
an exaggeration
used to make or
prove a point
IDIOM
EXAMPLE
It was only once
in a blue moon
that the flowers
did not bloom.
DEFINITION
a word or phrase that
means something
other than what is
actually being said
DEFINITION
when two or more
words begin with the
same initial sound
DEFINITION
a phrase or
expression that is
overused
EXAMPLE
The townspeople say
Grandma’s flowers
are the most
exquisite flowers in
the entire world!
EXAMPLE
Stooping to the
ground, Sarah
smelled the sweet,
scarlet flower.
HYPERBOLE
EXAMPLE
With most of her
flowers folded on the
ground, only time
would tell if the
flowers would survive.
DEFINITION
giving human
characteristics to
inanimate things
ALLITERATION
EXAMPLE
The roses wept
for their smashed
friends.
CLICHE
PERSONIFICATION
ONOMATOPOEIA
EXAMPLE
…a bee’s
buzzing would
break the
silence.
DEFINITION
words that
make sounds
SIMILE
EXAMPLE
Grandma would
stand as proud
as a peacock.
DEFINITION
a comparison of
unlike things using
‘like’ or ‘as’
METAPHOR
EXAMPLE
Towering above the
other plants, the
sunflowers were a
fence protecting the
petunias.
DEFINITION
a comparison of
unlike things that
says something is
another thing
Name:
Date:
Grandma’s Garden
Below are examples of 8 types of figurative language. Write the type of
figurative language in the top puzzle piece and define it in the small puzzle piece.
Stooping to the
ground, Sarah
smelled the
sweet, scarlet
flower.
The roses wept
for their
smashed
friends
With most of her
flowers folded over,
only time would
tell if the flowers
would survive.
The townspeople say
Grandma’s flowers
are the most
exquisite flowers in
the entire world!
Grandma would
stand as proud
as a peacock.
It was only once
in a blue moon
that the flowers
did not bloom.
Towering above the
other plants, the
sunflowers were
a fence protecting
the petunias.
… a bee’s
buzzing would
break the
silence.
Name:
Date:
Grandma’s Garden
Below are examples of 8 types of figurative language. Write the type of
figurative language in the top puzzle piece and define it in the small puzzle piece.
Alliteration
Stooping to the
ground, Sarah
smelled the
sweet, scarlet
flower.
DEFINITION
when two or more
words begin with the
same initial sound
Cliché
With most of her
flowers folded over,
only time would
tell if the flowers
would survive.
DEFINITION
a phrase or
expression that is
overused
Personification
The roses wept
for their
smashed
friends
Hyperbole
The townspeople say
Grandma’s flowers
are the most
exquisite flowers in
the entire world!
Simile
Grandma would
stand as proud
as a peacock.
DEFINITION
a comparison of
unlike things using
‘like’ or ‘as’
Metaphor
Towering above the
other plants, the
sunflowers were
a fence protecting
the petunias.
DEFINITION
a comparison of
unlike things that
says something is
another thing
DEFINITION
giving human
characteristics to
inanimate things
DEFINITION
an exaggeration
used to make or
prove a point
Idiom
It was only once
in a blue moon
that the flowers
did not bloom.
DEFINITION
a word or phrase that
means something other
than what is actually
being said
Onomatopoeia
… a bee’s
buzzing would
break the
silence.
DEFINITION
words that
make sounds
ELA Resources on TpT
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