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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 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.

Adages and Proverbs

L.5.5

NameDate

Circle the right answer.

1."All that glitters is not gold." What does this saying mean?
  • A.Something that looks good may not be worth much.
  • B.Shiny things are always gold.
  • C.Gold does not shine.
2."Necessity is the mother of invention." What does this saying mean?
  • A.Inventors are always mothers.
  • B.Inventions are not needed.
  • C.People invent things when they really need them.
3."Honesty is the best policy." What does this saying mean?
  • A.Honest people make the rules.
  • B.Rules should be written down.
  • C.Telling the truth is the wisest choice.
4."The pen is mightier than the sword." What does this saying mean?
  • A.Words can change things more than fighting can.
  • B.Pens are sharper than swords.
  • C.Writing is a kind of fighting.
5."Many hands make light work." What does this saying mean?
  • A.A job is easier when lots of people help.
  • B.Work is best done alone.
  • C.Hands are not heavy.
6."Better late than never." What does this saying mean?
  • A.Never be early.
  • B.Being late is always fine.
  • C.It is better to do something late than not do it at all.
7."Look before you leap." What does this saying mean?
  • A.Think carefully before you act.
  • B.Leaping is dangerous.
  • C.Always check the ground before jumping.
8."Don't count your chickens before they hatch." What does this saying mean?
  • A.Do not rely on something good before it has happened.
  • B.Chickens are hard to count.
  • C.Count eggs carefully.

LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 22 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Adages and Proverbs

Set 22. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Something that looks good may not be worth much.
  2. 2.People invent things when they really need them.
  3. 3.Telling the truth is the wisest choice.
  4. 4.Words can change things more than fighting can.
  5. 5.A job is easier when lots of people help.
  6. 6.It is better to do something late than not do it at all.
  7. 7.Think carefully before you act.
  8. 8.Do not rely on something good before it has happened.

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