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All 10 Flashcards — Metaphor & simile
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Question
What is a metaphor?
Answer
A comparison that says one thing *is* another — ‘the classroom was a zoo.’
Question
What is a simile?
Answer
A comparison using ‘like’ or ‘as’ — ‘quiet as a held breath.’
Question
How do metaphor and simile differ?
Answer
Metaphor says X IS Y; simile says X is LIKE Y — the ‘like’/‘as’ is the giveaway.
Question
How do you spot a simile?
Answer
Look for the words ‘like’ or ‘as’ joining two things.
Question
Why does a metaphor hit harder?
Answer
It presses the two things together as one, with no ‘like’ to hold them apart.
Question
How do you analyse a comparison?
Answer
Name the two things compared + the picture or feeling the link builds.
Question
‘Her eyes were oceans’ — what kind?
Answer
A metaphor — it says her eyes ARE oceans, no ‘like’.
Question
‘Brave as a lion’ — what kind?
Answer
A simile — the ‘as’ compares the two.
Question
What two things does a comparison link?
Answer
The real thing and the image it's compared to.
Question
Commonest comparison mistake?
Answer
Naming ‘metaphor’ without saying the two things linked or the effect.
Read the notes
Full study notes for Metaphor & simile
Topic 1.4 hub
Imagery & comparison
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English A Lang & Lit exam skills
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