Grade 5 Figurative Language worksheet
from Gradelings · Name: ______________________
How to explain it
- A simile compares with like or as. A metaphor says one thing is another.
- Personification gives human traits to things. Hyperbole is a huge exaggeration.
- 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
Question 1
Which sentence uses personification?
- Gentle grey geese glided over the green grass.
- Lena's voice was as calm as a still pond.
- In summer, Grandpa's yard is a rainbow of flowers.
- The flowers danced in the breeze.
The flowers danced in the breeze.
Hint: Personification gives human actions or feelings to something that isn't human.
Question 2
What kind of figurative language is this?
Beep! The microwave timer went off.
- alliteration
- hyperbole
- onomatopoeia
- metaphor
onomatopoeia
Hint: Onomatopoeia is a word that imitates a sound, like buzz, crash or sizzle.
Question 3
What does the idiom “on the fence” mean in this sentence?
Ravi is on the fence about joining the choir.
- unable to decide
- sitting outside
- already a member
- very excited
unable to decide
Hint: Picture sitting on top of a fence, not on either side. Which side will Ravi choose?
Question 4
What does this hyperbole really mean?
I've told you a million times to close the door.
- I've never told you.
- I've told you exactly one million times.
- I told you once, quietly.
- I've told you many times.
I've told you many times.
Hint: Hyperbole exaggerates. Nobody has said anything a million times, but they may have said it a lot!
Question 5
What does the idiom “cost an arm and a leg” mean in this sentence?
Those concert tickets cost an arm and a leg.
- were very expensive
- caused an injury
- were hard to find
- were free
were very expensive
Hint: Arms and legs are very valuable to you. So something that “costs” them must cost a lot!
Question 6
What does the idiom “a piece of cake” mean in this sentence?
That math quiz was a piece of cake.
- very confusing
- very easy
- a kind of dessert
very easy
Hint: An idiom doesn't mean exactly what its words say. Would a quiz really be cake? Think about how easy cake is to eat.
Question 7
What does the idiom “over the moon” mean in this sentence?
Zoe was over the moon about her new puppy.
- confused
- extremely happy
- floating in space
extremely happy
Hint: How would you feel about a new puppy? Jumping over the moon would take a lot of joy!
Question 8
What does the idiom “hit the hay” mean in this sentence?
It's late, so it's time to hit the hay.
- clean the barn
- go to bed
- feed the horses
go to bed
Hint: The sentence says it's late. What do people do when it's late?
Question 9
What does the idiom “under the weather” mean in this sentence?
Amir is feeling under the weather today.
- ready for a test
- a little sick
- very excited
a little sick
Hint: People say this when they stay home and rest. It isn't about real weather.
Question 10
Which sentence uses hyperbole?
- Zoe's smile was so bright it could light up the whole city.
- Beep! The microwave timer went off.
- After swimming, Ravi stretched out on the warm dock like a seal.
- The flowers danced in the breeze.
- Tiny turtles tumbled toward the tide.
Zoe's smile was so bright it could light up the whole city.
Hint: Hyperbole is a huge exaggeration that isn't meant to be taken literally.
Answer key
- 1. The flowers danced in the breeze.
- 2. onomatopoeia
- 3. unable to decide
- 4. I've told you many times.
- 5. were very expensive
- 6. very easy
- 7. extremely happy
- 8. go to bed
- 9. a little sick
- 10. Zoe's smile was so bright it could light up the whole city.
Want more than 10 questions?
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