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Similes, Metaphors and Idioms is a free printable Grade 4 English worksheet on explaining what a figure of speech actually means, aligned to Common Core standard L.4.5. 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 11 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

Similes, Metaphors and Idioms

L.4.5

NameDate

Circle the right answer.

1."The lake was a mirror." What does this metaphor mean?
  • A.Somebody put a mirror in the lake.
  • B.The water was so still it reflected everything.
  • C.The lake was made of glass.
2."Grandpa is a walking dictionary." What does this metaphor mean?
  • A.Grandpa knows the meanings of a great many words.
  • B.Grandpa is a book.
  • C.Grandpa walks a long way.
3."Keep an eye on your little brother." What does this idiom mean?
  • A.Put your eye on him.
  • B.Close one eye.
  • C.Watch your little brother carefully.
4."The baby's cheeks were as red as apples." What does this simile mean?
  • A.The baby's cheeks were very red.
  • B.The baby's cheeks were pale.
  • C.The baby was eating apples.
5."The test was a piece of cake." What does this idiom mean?
  • A.The test was about cake.
  • B.The test was very easy.
  • C.The test was hard.
6."His bedroom was a pigsty." What does this metaphor mean?
  • A.His bedroom was very messy.
  • B.His bedroom was neat.
  • C.Pigs lived in his bedroom.
7."The puppy was as playful as a kitten." What does this simile mean?
  • A.The puppy loved to play.
  • B.The puppy was tired.
  • C.The puppy was a kitten.
8."Tell me what happened. I'm all ears." What does this idiom mean?
  • A.I cannot hear you.
  • B.I have a great many ears.
  • C.I am listening carefully.

LessonPrint · L.4.5 · Set 11 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Similes, Metaphors and Idioms

Set 11. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.The water was so still it reflected everything.
  2. 2.Grandpa knows the meanings of a great many words.
  3. 3.Watch your little brother carefully.
  4. 4.The baby's cheeks were very red.
  5. 5.The test was very easy.
  6. 6.His bedroom was very messy.
  7. 7.The puppy loved to play.
  8. 8.I am listening carefully.

More practice for L.4.5

Explain similes, metaphors, idioms, proverbs, antonyms and synonyms.

Teaching this next? Similes, Metaphors, Idioms and Proverbs is the 40-minute plan for it, with the misconceptions to expect.

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Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to L.4.5 of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.