English Vocabularyusually ages 9–11

Similes & Metaphors

Understand and identify similes (comparisons using like or as) and metaphors (direct comparisons stating something is something else) in texts, explaining how each creates imagery and conveys meaning

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Identify similes in a text by locating comparisons using 'like' or 'as' and explain what two things are being compared and what quality is highlighted, e.g. 'The snow was like a white blanket'
Identify metaphors in a text and explain the implied comparison, e.g. in 'Time is a thief', explain that time is compared to a thief because it takes things away
Explain how a simile or metaphor in a poem or story creates a particular image or feeling for the reader that a literal description would not achieve

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Try this together

When your child reads a description like "the moon was a silver coin" or "her smile was like sunshine," can they explain what image the author was trying to create?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Literal vs Figurative Languageages 8–9Identifying similes and metaphors requires the ability to distinguish literal from figurative language

Expressive and Sensory Languageages 6–9Literary language recognition provides context for understanding how similes and metaphors function within texts

Similes & Metaphorsthis skill · ages 9–11

Unlocks

How Language Choices Affect the Readerages 10–11Evaluating figurative language requires understanding similes and metaphors

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Candidate matches to official curriculum codes — machine-suggested, unreviewed (v0.1).

Show candidate curriculum codes · 3 ACARA · 2 NSW · 3 VIC

Australian Curriculum v9 candidate

AC9E6LA08medium confidenceYear 6 · Language

identify authors’ use of vivid, emotive vocabulary, such as metaphors, similes, personification, idioms, imagery and hyperbole

AC9E5LE04low confidenceYear 5 · Literature

examine the effects of imagery, including simile, metaphor and personification, and sound devices in narratives, poetry and songs

AC9E3LA09low confidenceYear 3 · Language

identify how images extend the meaning of a text

NSW syllabus codes & stages only

EN2-UARL-01medium confidenceEnglish K-10 · Stage 2

EN3-UARL-01medium confidenceEnglish K-10 · Stage 3

Victorian Curriculum 2.0 codes & levels only

VC2E5LE04medium confidenceEnglish · Level 5 · Literature strand

VC2E6LA08medium confidenceEnglish · Level 6 · Language strand

VC2E6LE02medium confidenceEnglish · Level 6 · Literature strand

These are candidate alignments generated by semantic matching — machine-suggested and unreviewed (v0.1), not official or verified mappings. For official curriculum content see australiancurriculum.edu.au, curriculum.nsw.edu.au and f10.vcaa.vic.edu.au. Don’t rely on them for registration or compliance purposes.

Nearby on the map

Antonyms & Synonymsages 9–11 Domain Vocabulary Across Subject Areasages 9–11 Greek and Latin Roots for Word Meaningages 9–11 Idioms & Proverbsages 9–11

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