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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 5 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."A stitch in time saves nine." What does this saying mean?
  • A.Nine stitches are always needed.
  • B.Sewing is faster than shopping.
  • C.Fixing a small problem now saves a bigger job later.
3."Actions speak louder than words." What does this saying mean?
  • A.Doing things is noisy.
  • B.What you do shows more than what you say.
  • C.You should shout when you talk.
4."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.
5."Two heads are better than one." What does this saying mean?
  • A.Some animals have two heads.
  • B.One person always knows best.
  • C.Working with someone else helps solve problems.
6."The pen is mightier than the sword." What does this saying mean?
  • A.Writing is a kind of fighting.
  • B.Words can change things more than fighting can.
  • C.Pens are sharper than swords.
7."Don't count your chickens before they hatch." What does this saying mean?
  • A.Chickens are hard to count.
  • B.Do not rely on something good before it has happened.
  • C.Count eggs carefully.
8."Many hands make light work." What does this saying mean?
  • A.A job is easier when lots of people help.
  • B.Hands are not heavy.
  • C.Work is best done alone.

LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 5 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Adages and Proverbs

Set 5. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Something that looks good may not be worth much.
  2. 2.Fixing a small problem now saves a bigger job later.
  3. 3.What you do shows more than what you say.
  4. 4.Think carefully before you act.
  5. 5.Working with someone else helps solve problems.
  6. 6.Words can change things more than fighting can.
  7. 7.Do not rely on something good before it has happened.
  8. 8.A job is easier when lots of people help.

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