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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 4 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 got angry.
  • B.Dev tried to stay cold.
  • C.Dev tried to stay calm.
2."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.
3."Ana hit the books all weekend before the test." What does the idiom mean?
  • A.Ana studied hard.
  • B.Ana threw her books away.
  • C.Ana punched her books.
4."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.
5."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.
6."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.
7."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.
8."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.

LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 4 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Figurative Language and Idiom

Set 4. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Dev tried to stay calm.
  2. 2.The town was busy and full of people.
  3. 3.Ana studied hard.
  4. 4.The news spread very quickly.
  5. 5.The fog covered the whole town.
  6. 6.The wind made a long, loud, eerie sound.
  7. 7.The backpack felt very heavy.
  8. 8.The lecture was very dull.

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.