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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 8 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."After the long hike, Leo's backpack was an anchor dragging him down." What does the metaphor suggest?
  • A.The backpack was empty.
  • B.The backpack felt very heavy.
  • C.Leo was on a boat.
2."The lecture was as dry as dust." What does the simile mean?
  • A.The lecture was exciting.
  • B.The room was dusty.
  • C.The lecture was very dull.
3."The wind howled like a wolf all night." What does the simile suggest?
  • A.The wind made a long, loud, eerie sound.
  • B.A wolf was outside.
  • C.The wind was quiet.
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."Her words cut like a knife." What does the simile mean?
  • A.Her words were hurtful.
  • B.Her words were kind.
  • C.She was holding a knife.
6."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.
7."The last five minutes of the game were a roller coaster." What does the metaphor suggest?
  • A.Nothing exciting happened.
  • B.The last minutes were full of ups and downs.
  • C.The game was played at a fair.
8."Ana hit the books all weekend before the test." What does the idiom mean?
  • A.Ana punched her books.
  • B.Ana studied hard.
  • C.Ana threw her books away.

LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 8 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Figurative Language and Idiom

Set 8. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.The backpack felt very heavy.
  2. 2.The lecture was very dull.
  3. 3.The wind made a long, loud, eerie sound.
  4. 4.The news spread very quickly.
  5. 5.Her words were hurtful.
  6. 6.The fog covered the whole town.
  7. 7.The last minutes were full of ups and downs.
  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.