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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 19 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 jumped very high.
  • B.Mia was disappointed.
  • C.Mia was delighted.
2."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.
3."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.
4."Her words cut like a knife." What does the simile mean?
  • A.Her words were kind.
  • B.Her words were hurtful.
  • C.She was holding a knife.
5."Sam has a heart of gold." What does the metaphor mean?
  • A.Sam is rich.
  • B.Sam is very kind.
  • C.Sam's heart is made of metal.
6."We will have to face the music when Dad sees the broken window." What does the idiom mean?
  • A.We will have to accept what happens because of it.
  • B.We will have to listen to a song.
  • C.We will have to play an instrument.
7."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.
8."On market day the town was a beehive." What does the metaphor suggest?
  • A.The town was empty.
  • B.The town was busy and full of people.
  • C.Bees lived in the town.

LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 19 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Figurative Language and Idiom

Set 19. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Mia was delighted.
  2. 2.The last minutes were full of ups and downs.
  3. 3.The backpack felt very heavy.
  4. 4.Her words were hurtful.
  5. 5.Sam is very kind.
  6. 6.We will have to accept what happens because of it.
  7. 7.The fog covered the whole town.
  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.