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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 21 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."On market day the town was a beehive." What does the metaphor suggest?
  • A.Bees lived in the town.
  • B.The town was empty.
  • C.The town was busy and full of people.
2."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.
3."The lecture was as dry as dust." What does the simile mean?
  • A.The lecture was very dull.
  • B.The room was dusty.
  • C.The lecture was exciting.
4."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.
5."We will have to face the music when Dad sees the broken window." What does the idiom mean?
  • A.We will have to listen to a song.
  • B.We will have to accept what happens because of it.
  • C.We will have to play an instrument.
6."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.
7."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.
8."Ana hit the books all weekend before the test." What does the idiom mean?
  • A.Ana punched her books.
  • B.Ana threw her books away.
  • C.Ana studied hard.

LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 21 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Figurative Language and Idiom

Set 21. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.The town was busy and full of people.
  2. 2.The backpack felt very heavy.
  3. 3.The lecture was very dull.
  4. 4.The fog covered the whole town.
  5. 5.We will have to accept what happens because of it.
  6. 6.The news spread very quickly.
  7. 7.Dev tried to stay calm.
  8. 8.Ana studied hard.

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.