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Year 7

Reading 'The Twisted Tree': exploring and creating similes

I can identify and explain a writer's use of simile and use to create my own description.

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Year 7

Reading 'The Twisted Tree': exploring and creating similes

I can identify and explain a writer's use of simile and use to create my own description.

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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Martha has a vivid nightmare about the tree.
  2. Martha allows Stig to stay.
  3. The tree has a symbolic meaning that will be revealed throughout the novel.
  4. Similes can be used to create vivid imagery and help the reader experience what is being described.
  5. When crafting similes, they need to be plausible, draw relevant comparisons and not be confusing for the reader.

Keywords

  • Forlorn - sad, lonely or devoid of hope

  • Desolate - abandoned and joyless

  • Oblivion - lack of awareness or consciousness; nothingness

  • Temperamental - unreliable or changing quickly

  • Malice - evil; the desire to harm someone

Common misconception

As long as I have used "like" or "as", I have created an effective simile.

Consider this simile: 'Her voice was like a salad.' The comparison is unclear and doesn't enhance understanding.


To help you plan your year 7 english lesson on: Reading 'The Twisted Tree': exploring and creating similes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

In LC2, you may wish to use specific examples from 'The Twisted Tree' when exploring how similes can be used effectively. If you have previously completed lesson 2 (introducing the setting of 'The Twisted Tree), Task B could be completed as a way to develop the writing from this previous lesson.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

You will need access to the text 'The Twisted Tree' by Rachel Burge, published by Hot Key Books, 2019.

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Content guidance

  • Contains strong language
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In 'The Twisted Tree' the character Mormor is Martha's ...
mother.
Correct answer: grandmother.
aunt.
great grandmother.
no relation.
Q2.
'The Twisted Tree' can be described as a thriller
Baltic
Norman
Correct answer: Nordic
Q3.
Which two words beginning with 'p' and 'f' can be used to describe a device where the weather reflects the mood of the main character?
Correct Answer: pathetic fallacy
Q4.
Which of these two words could be used to describe a typical atmosphere of a Nordic thriller?
Correct answer: suspenseful
hopeful
Correct answer: ominous
joyous
dreamy
Q5.
Which two words does the writer use in 'The Twisted Tree' to describe the tree?
straight
Correct answer: twisted
smooth
Correct answer: gnarled
spikey
Q6.
Which of these sentences would not be considered pathetic fallacy?
The storm raged on as the battle intensified.
The sun shone brightly on their wedding day.
Correct answer: The character felt lonely while walking through the forest.
The thunder roared in anger as the argument escalated.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In 'The Twisted Tree' what is the name of the boy that Martha finds living in the cabin?
Steeg
Correct answer: Stig
Steven
Simon
Q2.
Which of the following sentences contains a simile?
The tree was twisted and ancient.
The sun shone brightly on their wedding day.
Correct answer: Her sadness hung about her, like a restless storm cloud.
He felt lonely while as he walked through the quiet forest.
Q3.
Which of these words best describes the setting in 'The Twisted Tree'?
Correct answer: isolated
wistful
romantic
Correct answer: bleak
Correct answer: desolate
Q4.
In 'The Twisted Tree', the writer uses a simile to describe Stig. What does she compare Stig to?
a wolf
a ghost
a tree
Correct answer: an angel
Q5.
Which of these definitions best describes the word 'forlorn'?
angry, frustrated or confused
hopeful, happy and content
Correct answer: sad, lonely or devoid of hope
excited, joyous and thrilled
Q6.
In 'The Twisted Tree', the writer describes the tree as having "arms" that can "snatch". This is an example of ...
simile.
Correct answer: personifiation.
metaphor.
pathetic fallacy.