Answer key · not for pupils Writer's craft sequence
As Busy as a Beehive
Similes: comparing two things with as … as and like
Lesson 1 of 12 Year 4
Task 1 gives the letter of the right option as printed on the sheet. Task 2 lists the mistakes in the order they appear, with the correction. Task 3 and 4 answers are models, not the only acceptable wording: any answer that uses the rule the lesson taught should be credited.
MildA simile says one thing is like another. It uses as … as or like.
1 · Tick the simile that works
a Ab Bc Bd AA = left option, B = right option
3 · Now you write
Model answers
The kitchen was as busy as a beehive.
The cat was as quiet as a mouse.
The oven was as hot as the sun.
4 · Help Polpetta
I like pizza is not a simile. Like means enjoy here, and nothing is being compared. A real simile: The pizza was as hot as the sun.
2 · Find the 3 mistakes
1
Our soup is as hot as a snowman.
Our soup is as hot as the sun.
2
The bread is as soft as a rock.
The bread is as soft as a pillow.
3
Our cakes are as light as a brick.
Our cakes are as light as a feather.
The lemonade is as cold as ice works (the decoy). Any ending that really shares the quality is acceptable in the corrections.
MediumA simile compares two different things that share something. As cold as ice works because ice really is cold.
1 · Tick the simile that works
a Bb Ac Bd AA = left option, B = right option
3 · Now you write
Model answers
Tick: a snowball, a fridge · The ice cream was as cold as a snowball.
Tick: a fish, a bee · The waiter darted between the tables like a fish.
Tick: a tired giant, an old door · The old oven groaned like a tired giant.
4 · Help Polpetta
I like pasta is not a simile: like means enjoy and nothing is compared. As hot as snow does not make sense, because snow is cold. Fixed: The oven is as hot as a dragon's breath.
2 · Find the 3 mistakes
1
The melons are as heavy as a feather.
The melons are as heavy as bowling balls.
2
The fishmonger shouts like a whisper.
The fishmonger shouts like a foghorn.
3
The baker moves as slowly as a rocket.
The baker moves as slowly as a snail.
The colourful stalls (a rainbow) and the cheese (an old sock) work: they are the decoys. Any ending that shares the quality is acceptable in the corrections.
SpicyThe best similes are fresh. As cold as ice works, but your reader has heard it a thousand times.
1 · Tick the simile that works
a Bb Ac Ad BA = left option, B = right option
3 · Now you write
Model answers
The storm rolled in like furniture being dragged across the sky.
We were packed into the carriage like matches in a box.
The water was as cold as a key left out overnight: it bites your fingers, so the reader feels it.
4 · Help Polpetta
The menu was as tempting as an open biscuit tin. The oven roared like a dragon guarding its gold. A simile compares two different things that share one quality, using as or like, and the best ones give the reader a picture they have not seen before.
2 · Find the 4 mistakes
1
The coffee was as bitter as sugar
The coffee was as bitter as burnt toast
2
the croissants were as flaky as a brick.
the croissants were as flaky as old paint.
3
Our table wobbled like a mountain.
Our table wobbled like a newborn foal.
4
The owner smiled as warmly as a freezer.
The owner smiled as warmly as a fire in winter.
The lamps (small suns) and the waiter (a swan) are the two similes that work. Any rewrite that shares the quality is acceptable.