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5th grade · English Language Arts · Unit 2 of 13

Figurative Language

Similes, metaphors, idioms and more

What your child practices

Spotting similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia and alliteration, and explaining what common idioms really mean.

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) teks student expectation: 5.9(B); 5.10(D) · similes, metaphors, idioms and more

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. A simile compares with like or as. A metaphor says one thing is another.
  2. Personification gives human traits to things. Hyperbole is a huge exaggeration.
  3. An idiom means something different from its words: “over the moon” means very happy.

Example: “Telling a joke helped break the ice.” What does “break the ice” mean? Nobody is breaking real ice. A joke at the start helps people relax. Answer: help everyone feel comfortable together

Figurative Language in Texas

In the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), this is unit 2 of 13 in 5th grade English Language Arts, after Plot and Conflict and before Purpose and Structure.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Texas Education Agency (TEA)

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Which sentence uses a simile?

    • Kenji's notebook is a treasure chest of ideas.
    • My backpack weighs more than an elephant!
    • The frosty grass sparkled like tiny diamonds.
    • The old car refused to start on the cold morning.

  2. Question 2

    What does this hyperbole really mean?

    My backpack weighs more than an elephant!

    • My backpack is very heavy.
    • My backpack is as big as an elephant.
    • My backpack is very light.
    • My backpack is empty.

  3. Question 3

    What kind of figurative language is this?

    The old car refused to start on the cold morning.

    • alliteration
    • hyperbole
    • personification
    • simile

  4. Question 4

    What does the idiom “in hot water” mean in this sentence?

    Jay is in hot water for forgetting his chores.

    • taking a bath
    • feeling proud
    • very busy
    • in trouble

  5. Question 5

    What does the idiom “break the ice” mean in this sentence?

    Let's play a game to break the ice.

    • help everyone feel comfortable together
    • smash frozen water
    • start an argument
    • end the party early

  6. Question 6

    What kind of figurative language is this?

    Seven slippery seals slid off the sunny rock.

    • simile
    • hyperbole
    • alliteration
    • onomatopoeia

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