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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 23 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."We will have to face the music when Dad sees the broken window." What does the idiom mean?
  • A.We will have to play an instrument.
  • B.We will have to accept what happens because of it.
  • C.We will have to listen to a song.
2."The wind howled like a wolf all night." What does the simile suggest?
  • A.A wolf was outside.
  • B.The wind made a long, loud, eerie sound.
  • C.The wind was quiet.
3."On market day the town was a beehive." What does the metaphor suggest?
  • A.Bees lived in the town.
  • B.The town was busy and full of people.
  • C.The town was empty.
4."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.
5."The lecture was as dry as dust." What does the simile mean?
  • A.The room was dusty.
  • B.The lecture was very dull.
  • C.The lecture was exciting.
6."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.
7."Ana hit the books all weekend before the test." What does the idiom mean?
  • A.Ana threw her books away.
  • B.Ana punched her books.
  • C.Ana studied hard.
8."When Mia saw her score, she was over the moon." What does the idiom mean?
  • A.Mia was disappointed.
  • B.Mia jumped very high.
  • C.Mia was delighted.

LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 23 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Figurative Language and Idiom

Set 23. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.We will have to accept what happens because of it.
  2. 2.The wind made a long, loud, eerie sound.
  3. 3.The town was busy and full of people.
  4. 4.The backpack felt very heavy.
  5. 5.The lecture was very dull.
  6. 6.The fog covered the whole town.
  7. 7.Ana studied hard.
  8. 8.Mia was delighted.

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.