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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 22 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 puppy was as playful as a kitten." What does this simile mean?
  • A.The puppy was a kitten.
  • B.The puppy loved to play.
  • C.The puppy was tired.
2."The lake was a mirror." What does this metaphor mean?
  • A.Somebody put a mirror in the lake.
  • B.The lake was made of glass.
  • C.The water was so still it reflected everything.
3."The room was as cold as ice." What does this simile mean?
  • A.The room was full of ice.
  • B.The room was very cold.
  • C.The room was warm.
4."Tell me what happened. I'm all ears." What does this idiom mean?
  • A.I am listening carefully.
  • B.I cannot hear you.
  • C.I have a great many ears.
5."The stars were diamonds in the night sky." What does this metaphor mean?
  • A.The stars were for sale.
  • B.The stars sparkled brightly.
  • C.Diamonds were floating in the sky.
6."His bedroom was a pigsty." What does this metaphor mean?
  • A.Pigs lived in his bedroom.
  • B.His bedroom was neat.
  • C.His bedroom was very messy.
7."The baby's cheeks were as red as apples." What does this simile mean?
  • A.The baby's cheeks were pale.
  • B.The baby's cheeks were very red.
  • C.The baby was eating apples.
8."Keep an eye on your little brother." What does this idiom mean?
  • A.Watch your little brother carefully.
  • B.Put your eye on him.
  • C.Close one eye.

LessonPrint · L.4.5 · Set 22 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Similes, Metaphors and Idioms

Set 22. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.The puppy loved to play.
  2. 2.The water was so still it reflected everything.
  3. 3.The room was very cold.
  4. 4.I am listening carefully.
  5. 5.The stars sparkled brightly.
  6. 6.His bedroom was very messy.
  7. 7.The baby's cheeks were very red.
  8. 8.Watch your little brother 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.