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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 20 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."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.
2."The fog was a thick blanket over the town." What does the metaphor suggest?
  • A.The fog was thin and patchy.
  • B.Somebody put a blanket on the town.
  • C.The fog covered the whole town.
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."Do not spill the beans about the surprise party." What does the idiom mean?
  • A.Do not tell anyone the secret.
  • B.Do not drop the beans.
  • C.Do not cook for the party.
5."The news spread like wildfire through the school." What does the simile mean?
  • A.The news spread very quickly.
  • B.The school was on fire.
  • C.Nobody heard the news.
6."The wind howled like a wolf all night." What does the simile suggest?
  • A.The wind made a long, loud, eerie sound.
  • B.The wind was quiet.
  • C.A wolf was outside.
7."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.The last minutes were full of ups and downs.
  • C.Nothing exciting happened.
8."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 play an instrument.
  • C.We will have to listen to a song.

LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 20 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Figurative Language and Idiom

Set 20. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Dev tried to stay calm.
  2. 2.The fog covered the whole town.
  3. 3.The backpack felt very heavy.
  4. 4.Do not tell anyone the secret.
  5. 5.The news spread very quickly.
  6. 6.The wind made a long, loud, eerie sound.
  7. 7.The last minutes were full of ups and downs.
  8. 8.We will have to accept what happens because of it.

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.