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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 18 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."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.
2."On market day the town was a beehive." What does the metaphor suggest?
  • A.The town was busy and full of people.
  • B.Bees lived in the town.
  • C.The town was empty.
3."The fog was a thick blanket over the town." What does the metaphor suggest?
  • A.The fog covered the whole town.
  • B.Somebody put a blanket on the town.
  • C.The fog was thin and patchy.
4."The last five minutes of the game were a roller coaster." What does the metaphor suggest?
  • A.Nothing exciting happened.
  • B.The game was played at a fair.
  • C.The last minutes were full of ups and downs.
5."Ana hit the books all weekend before the test." What does the idiom mean?
  • A.Ana punched her books.
  • B.Ana studied hard.
  • C.Ana threw her books away.
6."Dev tried to keep his cool when the projector broke." What does the idiom mean?
  • A.Dev got angry.
  • B.Dev tried to stay calm.
  • C.Dev tried to stay cold.
7."After the long hike, Leo's backpack was an anchor dragging him down." What does the metaphor suggest?
  • A.Leo was on a boat.
  • B.The backpack felt very heavy.
  • 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 very kind.
  • C.Sam is rich.

LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 18 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Figurative Language and Idiom

Set 18. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Mia was delighted.
  2. 2.The town was busy and full of people.
  3. 3.The fog covered the whole town.
  4. 4.The last minutes were full of ups and downs.
  5. 5.Ana studied hard.
  6. 6.Dev tried to stay calm.
  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.