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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 2 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."After the long hike, Leo's backpack was an anchor dragging him down." What does the metaphor suggest?
  • A.The backpack was empty.
  • B.Leo was on a boat.
  • C.The backpack felt very heavy.
2."Dev tried to keep his cool when the projector broke." What does the idiom mean?
  • A.Dev tried to stay cold.
  • B.Dev tried to stay calm.
  • C.Dev got angry.
3."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.
4."The news spread like wildfire through the school." What does the simile mean?
  • A.Nobody heard the news.
  • B.The news spread very quickly.
  • C.The school was on fire.
5."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.
6."When Mia saw her score, she was over the moon." What does the idiom mean?
  • A.Mia jumped very high.
  • B.Mia was delighted.
  • C.Mia was disappointed.
7."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.
8."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.

LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 2 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Figurative Language and Idiom

Set 2. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.The backpack felt very heavy.
  2. 2.Dev tried to stay calm.
  3. 3.The last minutes were full of ups and downs.
  4. 4.The news spread very quickly.
  5. 5.The town was busy and full of people.
  6. 6.Mia was delighted.
  7. 7.Sam is very kind.
  8. 8.The wind made a long, loud, eerie sound.

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.