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Figurative Language and Idiom is a free printable Grade 5 English worksheet on interpreting similes, metaphors and idioms in context, 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 10 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.

Figurative Language and Idiom

L.5.5

NameDate

Circle the right answer.

1."The wind howled like a wolf all night." What does the simile suggest?
  • A.The wind was quiet.
  • B.A wolf was outside.
  • C.The wind made a long, loud, eerie sound.
2."Dev tried to keep his cool when the projector broke." What does the idiom mean?
  • A.Dev tried to stay cold.
  • B.Dev got angry.
  • C.Dev tried to stay calm.
3."Do not spill the beans about the surprise party." What does the idiom mean?
  • A.Do not tell anyone the secret.
  • B.Do not cook for the party.
  • C.Do not drop the beans.
4."When Mia saw her score, she was over the moon." What does the idiom mean?
  • A.Mia was delighted.
  • B.Mia jumped very high.
  • C.Mia was disappointed.
5."After the long hike, Leo's backpack was an anchor dragging him down." What does the metaphor suggest?
  • A.The backpack was empty.
  • B.The backpack felt very heavy.
  • C.Leo was on a boat.
6."We will have to face the music when Dad sees the broken window." What does the idiom mean?
  • A.We will have to listen to a song.
  • B.We will have to play an instrument.
  • C.We will have to accept what happens because of it.
7."The news spread like wildfire through the school." What does the simile mean?
  • A.The news spread very quickly.
  • B.Nobody heard the news.
  • C.The school was on fire.
8."On market day the town was a beehive." What does the metaphor suggest?
  • A.The town was empty.
  • B.Bees lived in the town.
  • C.The town was busy and full of people.

LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 10 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Figurative Language and Idiom

Set 10. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.The wind made a long, loud, eerie sound.
  2. 2.Dev tried to stay calm.
  3. 3.Do not tell anyone the secret.
  4. 4.Mia was delighted.
  5. 5.The backpack felt very heavy.
  6. 6.We will have to accept what happens because of it.
  7. 7.The news spread very quickly.
  8. 8.The town was busy and full of people.

More practice for L.5.5

Interpret figurative language, idioms, proverbs and shades of meaning.

Teaching this next? Idioms, Adages, Proverbs and Nuance is the 40-minute plan for it, with the misconceptions to expect.

All Grade 5 worksheets

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