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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 17 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 last five minutes of the game were a roller coaster." What does the metaphor suggest?
  • A.The game was played at a fair.
  • B.Nothing exciting happened.
  • C.The last minutes were full of ups and downs.
2."The news spread like wildfire through the school." What does the simile mean?
  • A.Nobody heard the news.
  • B.The school was on fire.
  • C.The news spread very quickly.
3."The fog was a thick blanket over the town." What does the metaphor suggest?
  • A.Somebody put a blanket on the town.
  • B.The fog covered the whole town.
  • C.The fog was thin and patchy.
4."The wind howled like a wolf all night." What does the simile suggest?
  • A.The wind was quiet.
  • B.The wind made a long, loud, eerie sound.
  • C.A wolf was outside.
5."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.
6."Her words cut like a knife." What does the simile mean?
  • A.Her words were kind.
  • B.She was holding a knife.
  • C.Her words were hurtful.
7."After the long hike, Leo's backpack was an anchor dragging him down." What does the metaphor suggest?
  • A.The backpack felt very heavy.
  • B.Leo was on a boat.
  • C.The backpack was empty.
8."Sam has a heart of gold." What does the metaphor mean?
  • A.Sam's heart is made of metal.
  • B.Sam is rich.
  • C.Sam is very kind.

LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 17 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Figurative Language and Idiom

Set 17. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.The last minutes were full of ups and downs.
  2. 2.The news spread very quickly.
  3. 3.The fog covered the whole town.
  4. 4.The wind made a long, loud, eerie sound.
  5. 5.Dev tried to stay calm.
  6. 6.Her words were hurtful.
  7. 7.The backpack felt very heavy.
  8. 8.Sam is very kind.

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.