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NCERT Solutions Poorvi Chapter 1 –21Try Again (Eliza Cook) — Let us discuss (Metaphor and Simile)

Book page 20 Updated on2026-09-05

Q1.
The spider's climbing is compared to King Bruce's own struggles. Just as the spider repeatedly attempts to reach its web, Bruce is trying to achieve a great deed for his people. This poetic device is called metaphor. It strengthens the poem's message about perseverance—keep trying till we succeed. Read the following sentences and identify metaphors and similes. Write M for metaphor and S for simile. (i) He ran as fast as a cheetah. (ii) The world is a stage. (iii) The night was as dark as coal. (iv) He sang like an angel. (v) Her voice was music to his ears. (vi) The classroom was a zoo. (vii) The baby slept like a log. (viii) Her smile was as bright as the sun. (ix) The lake was a mirror, reflecting the sky.
Answer
SentenceM / SThe clue
(i) He ran as fast as a cheetah.S“as… as”
(ii) The world is a stage.M“is” — one thing said to be another
(iii) The night was as dark as coal.S“as… as”
(iv) He sang like an angel.S“like”
(v) Her voice was music to his ears.Mthe voice was music
(vi) The classroom was a zoo.Mdirect, implied comparison
(vii) The baby slept like a log.S“like”
(viii) Her smile was as bright as the sun.S“as… as”
(ix) The lake was a mirror, reflecting the sky.Mthe lake was a mirror
Why it happens: A simile says two things are similar and shows its working with like, as or as…as. A metaphor hides the working and simply says one thing is the other — which makes it stronger and shorter.
Q2.
Read the following sentence and transform the simile to a metaphor or the metaphor to a simile. Two examples have been given. (iii) The book was a treasure chest, filled with endless adventures.
Answer

This is a metaphor, so turn it into a simile by putting in like or as…as:

  • The book was like a treasure chest, filled with endless adventures.
  • The book was as full of surprises as a treasure chest.
Q3.
Transform: (iv) Her laughter was a melody that brightened the darkest days.
Answer

Metaphor → simile:

  • Her laughter was like a melody that brightened the darkest days.
  • Her laughter was as cheering as a melody on the darkest days.
Q4.
Transform: (v) The mountain stood as a guard, watching over the valley below.
Answer

This one uses “as a guard”, so it works as a simile. Turn it into a metaphor by removing the comparison word:

  • The mountain was a guard, watching over the valley below.
  • The mountain, a silent guard, watched over the valley below.
Q5.
Transform: (vi) The night was like a velvet cloak, wrapping the world in mystery.
Answer

Simile → metaphor, by dropping like:

  • The night was a velvet cloak, wrapping the world in mystery.
Q6.
Transform: (vii) Her thoughts were like butterflies in a summer meadow.
Answer

Simile → metaphor:

  • Her thoughts were butterflies in a summer meadow.
Tip: Notice how much stronger the metaphor sounds. Removing like removes the poet's apology for the comparison — the thoughts do not resemble butterflies, they simply are.
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