Adages for 5th Graders

What is an adage?

• a truth about literary writing

• an old saying about how humans truly behave

• an idiom

• a figure of speech

What does the adage 'A penny saved is a penny earned' mean?

• When you spend a dollar, you lose it.

• Here's a penny for your problems.

• Saving a penny is just like earning it.

• What are you thinking about? I'll give you a penny for it.

What does it mean when people say the adage: 'Don't count your chickens before they hatch'?

• Don't worry about what's coming, just live in the moment.

• Don't make plans thinking things you expect will definitely happen.

• Think everything will go exactly as you want.

• Always count your chickens before they hatch.

Write a sentence using the adage 'Actions speak louder than words'.

• He said he would study a lot, but he just played games all day. Actions speak louder than words.

• She always said she'd help, but when I needed her, she wasn't there. Actions speak louder than words.

• They said they'd fix it, but months passed and nothing's different. Actions speak louder than words.

• She talked about being a good friend, but she never really tried to be one. Actions speak louder than words.

When would you say the adage 'All good things must come to an end'?

• When you start something fun

• When you are thankful something bad is over

• When you keep trying even when it's hard

• When something fun or nice is over.

Are all adages idioms?

• NO. Idioms NEVER make sense.

• No, but SOME adages are also idioms. Idioms never make sense, but many adages do make sense.

• Yes.

• Why are you asking?

Why do writers use adages in their stories?

• To give clear and detailed facts

• To make readers confused with opposite ideas

• To make their stories longer and more complicated

• To share wisdom, teach lessons, or tell truths in a short and memorable way.

Are adages types of figurative or literal language?

• Figurative
• Literal

What does the adage 'Too many cooks spoil the broth' mean?

• Having too many people trying to help can ruin things.

• Too many cooks make the soup taste better.

• It's always good to have a lot of cooks.

• More cooks mean faster cooking.

How can old adages help us understand the lesson of a story?

• Old sayings are too long and hard to use for understanding the lesson of a story

• Old sayings are too old and don't fit with new stories

• Old sayings give short and smart advice that can help us figure out the lesson of a story.

• Old sayings don't connect to the lesson of a story