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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 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.

Adages and Proverbs

L.5.5

NameDate

Circle the right answer.

1."Look before you leap." What does this saying mean?
  • A.Always check the ground before jumping.
  • B.Think carefully before you act.
  • C.Leaping is dangerous.
2."A stitch in time saves nine." What does this saying mean?
  • A.Fixing a small problem now saves a bigger job later.
  • B.Nine stitches are always needed.
  • C.Sewing is faster than shopping.
3."Better late than never." What does this saying mean?
  • A.It is better to do something late than not do it at all.
  • B.Being late is always fine.
  • C.Never be early.
4."Necessity is the mother of invention." What does this saying mean?
  • A.Inventions are not needed.
  • B.Inventors are always mothers.
  • C.People invent things when they really need them.
5."Haste makes waste." What does this saying mean?
  • A.Waste should be thrown away quickly.
  • B.Hurrying saves time.
  • C.Rushing leads to mistakes.
6."Rome wasn't built in a day." What does this saying mean?
  • A.Building work is slow.
  • B.Rome is a very old city.
  • C.Big things take time to achieve.
7."Don't put all your eggs in one basket." What does this saying mean?
  • A.Baskets break easily.
  • B.Do not risk everything on one plan.
  • C.Carry eggs carefully.
8."Two heads are better than one." What does this saying mean?
  • A.Working with someone else helps solve problems.
  • B.Some animals have two heads.
  • C.One person always knows best.

LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 11 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Adages and Proverbs

Set 11. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Think carefully before you act.
  2. 2.Fixing a small problem now saves a bigger job later.
  3. 3.It is better to do something late than not do it at all.
  4. 4.People invent things when they really need them.
  5. 5.Rushing leads to mistakes.
  6. 6.Big things take time to achieve.
  7. 7.Do not risk everything on one plan.
  8. 8.Working with someone else helps solve problems.

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to L.5.5 of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.