Literal and Nonliteral is a free printable Grade 3 English worksheet on telling apart what words say and what they mean, aligned to Common Core standard L.3.5. It prints 8 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.
Set 1 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
1."The early bird catches the worm." What does this really mean?
A.Those who act first do best.
B.Birds that wake early find food.
2."His words were music to her ears." What does this really mean?
A.His words were played on instruments.
B.What he said was very pleasing to hear.
3."Do not judge a book by its cover." What does this really mean?
A.Books should be read before rating.
B.Do not decide what something is worth from its appearance.
4."Time is a thief." What does this really mean?
A.Time steals objects.
B.Time takes things from us without our noticing.
5."Practice makes perfect." What does this really mean?
A.Doing something repeatedly makes you good at it.
B.Practicing creates perfection.
6."The snow is a white blanket." What does this really mean?
A.The snow covers everything evenly.
B.The snow is bedding.
7."The classroom was a zoo." What does this really mean?
A.The classroom was noisy and wild.
B.Animals were kept in the classroom.
8."Every cloud has a silver lining." What does this really mean?
A.Something good can be found in a bad situation.
B.Clouds are edged with silver.
LessonPrint · L.3.5 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Literal and Nonliteral
Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.
1.Those who act first do best.
2.What he said was very pleasing to hear.
3.Do not decide what something is worth from its appearance.
4.Time takes things from us without our noticing.
5.Doing something repeatedly makes you good at it.
6.The snow covers everything evenly.
7.The classroom was noisy and wild.
8.Something good can be found in a bad situation.
Questions about Literal and Nonliteral
What does the Literal and Nonliteral worksheet cover?
It practices telling apart what words say and what they mean — 8 questions for Grade 3, all on Common Core L.3.5: Understand literal and non-literal meanings, and shades of meaning. The instruction to students is “Circle the right answer”, and the answer key follows on the next sheet.
Which Common Core standard does Literal and Nonliteral practice?
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.5 — L.3.5, under Language for Grade 3. The published standard reads: “Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships and nuances in word meanings.” The worksheet assesses that standard rather than a paraphrase of it.
What age or grade is this worksheet for?
Literal and Nonliteral is written for Grade 3, typically ages 8-9. It is one of the sheets on L.3.5, so it suits any student working at that standard — including older students revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.
Does Literal and Nonliteral come with an answer key?
Yes. All 8 answers are generated from the same problems as the questions, so the key cannot drift out of step with the sheet. It starts on a fresh sheet of paper, after the questions, so it is not handed out with the class by accident.
How many different versions of Literal and Nonliteral can I print?
25 — one per student, and all 25 ask different questions. Set 1 downloads the whole class as a single PDF. Every version is fixed to its own address, so a sheet printed today holds the same problems when you reopen it next week.
Is Literal and Nonliteral free to print and photocopy?
Yes. Literal and Nonliteral, its answer key and its 25 versions are free to print and photocopy for your own class, with no account, no email capture and no subscription at the download step. Please do not resell them or republish them as your own.
Is there a lesson plan to teach L.3.5?
Yes — “Literal, Figurative and Word Relationships” is a 40-minute Grade 3 plan for L.3.5, timed section by section, with the misconceptions to expect and an exit ticket. Literal and Nonliteral is the practice that follows it.
More practice for L.3.5
Understand literal and non-literal meanings, and shades of meaning.