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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 3 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."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.
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."Do not spill the beans about the surprise party." What does the idiom mean?
  • A.Do not cook for the party.
  • B.Do not tell anyone the secret.
  • C.Do not drop the beans.
4."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.
5."Dev tried to keep his cool when the projector broke." What does the idiom mean?
  • A.Dev tried to stay calm.
  • B.Dev got angry.
  • C.Dev tried to stay cold.
6."Her words cut like a knife." What does the simile mean?
  • A.Her words were kind.
  • B.She was holding a knife.
  • C.Her words were hurtful.
7."Ana hit the books all weekend before the test." What does the idiom mean?
  • A.Ana studied hard.
  • B.Ana punched her books.
  • C.Ana threw her books away.
8."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.

LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 3 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Figurative Language and Idiom

Set 3. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.The news spread very quickly.
  2. 2.The wind made a long, loud, eerie sound.
  3. 3.Do not tell anyone the secret.
  4. 4.The fog covered the whole town.
  5. 5.Dev tried to stay calm.
  6. 6.Her words were hurtful.
  7. 7.Ana studied hard.
  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.