Adages and Proverbs is a free printable Grade 5 English worksheet on what a well-known saying really means, aligned to Common Core standard L.5.5. 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."Where there's a will, there's a way." What does this saying mean?
A.You need a map to find the way.
B.If you really want something, you can find a way to do it.
C.Every road leads somewhere.
2."Haste makes waste." What does this saying mean?
A.Rushing leads to mistakes.
B.Hurrying saves time.
C.Waste should be thrown away quickly.
3."Honesty is the best policy." What does this saying mean?
A.Telling the truth is the wisest choice.
B.Rules should be written down.
C.Honest people make the rules.
4."Two heads are better than one." What does this saying mean?
A.One person always knows best.
B.Working with someone else helps solve problems.
C.Some animals have two heads.
5."Look before you leap." What does this saying mean?
A.Think carefully before you act.
B.Always check the ground before jumping.
C.Leaping is dangerous.
6."Many hands make light work." What does this saying mean?
A.Hands are not heavy.
B.A job is easier when lots of people help.
C.Work is best done alone.
7."All that glitters is not gold." What does this saying mean?
A.Shiny things are always gold.
B.Gold does not shine.
C.Something that looks good may not be worth much.
8."Don't count your chickens before they hatch." What does this saying mean?
A.Count eggs carefully.
B.Do not rely on something good before it has happened.
C.Chickens are hard to count.
LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Adages and Proverbs
Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.
1.If you really want something, you can find a way to do it.
2.Rushing leads to mistakes.
3.Telling the truth is the wisest choice.
4.Working with someone else helps solve problems.
5.Think carefully before you act.
6.A job is easier when lots of people help.
7.Something that looks good may not be worth much.
8.Do not rely on something good before it has happened.
Questions about Adages and Proverbs
What does the Adages and Proverbs worksheet cover?
It practices what a well-known saying really means — 8 questions for Grade 5, all on Common Core L.5.5: Interpret figurative language, idioms, proverbs 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 Adages and Proverbs practice?
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.5 — L.5.5, under Language for Grade 5. 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?
Adages and Proverbs is written for Grade 5, typically ages 10-11. It is one of the sheets on L.5.5, so it suits any student working at that standard — including older students revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.
Does Adages and Proverbs 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 Adages and Proverbs 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 Adages and Proverbs free to print and photocopy?
Yes. Adages and Proverbs, 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.
More practice for L.5.5
Interpret figurative language, idioms, proverbs and shades of meaning.