Using Figurative Language Worksheet

Students will distinguish shades of meaning among closely related verbs (e.g. toss, throw, hurl) based on context.

Students will select the word that best matches a sentence's degree of force or tone.

Students will complete twelve fill-in-the-blank sentences using a shared word bank per group.

Because each group's three sentences share one word bank, have students read all three sentences in a group before choosing, since the correct answer depends on comparing degree across the set rather than picking any word that technically fits.

The baseball example (toss/throw/hurl) works well as a whole-class warm-up to model how force changes word choice before students complete the remaining three groups independently.

Pair this with the answer key on the second page for a quick self-check or partner-check activity.

Shades-of-meaning discrimination — students choose among near-synonyms (e.g. toss, throw, hurl) based on the degree of force or tone implied by context.

Context-based word selection — students read a full sentence to judge which of three related words fits best, rather than relying on definition alone.

Self-checking with an answer key — students or partners can verify all twelve answers against the printed key.