WorksheetsIdioms, adages, and proverbs
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 27mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Which of the following is the correct definition of a proverb or adage?
a)
A group of words that do not really mean what they say
b)
Comparing two unlike words using "like" or "as"
c)
An old saying that is believed to be true and is meant to be advice on how to live
d)
Comparing two unlike words not using "like" or "as"
2.
Which of the following is the correct definition of idiom?
a)
a statement that expresses some kind of truth about human nature
b)
comparing two unlike objects using the words "like" or "as"
c)
an old saying that is believed to be true and is advice on how to live
d)
an expression that doesn't literally mean what the words say
3.
Luisa asks her cousin if he's going to come to her birthday party, and he says, "It's up in the air." What does he mean?
a)
He's decided that he's going to come.
b)
He's decided that he's not going to come.
c)
He hasn't yet decided whether or not he's going to come.
d)
Luisa's party is taking place in the sky.
4.
Trini's co-worker tells her about a problem that may happen. Trini says, "Let's cross that bridge when we come to it." What does she mean?
a)
They should deal with the problem now
b)
They should deal with the problem when it happens
c)
They should walk over a bridge
d)
They should build a bridge
5.
Jordan tells his crying brother, Jamal, to get a grip. What does Jordan mean?
a)
He wants Jamal to grip his hand tightly
b)
He wants Jamal to keep crying
c)
He wants Jamal to calm down and get in control
d)
He wants Jamal to laugh
6.
Complete the passage below with the correct idiom:
Carla was very impressed by the firework show. It
Carla was very impressed by the firework show. It
a)
blew her away
b)
cut corners
c)
bit off more than it could chew
d)
killed two birds with one stone
7.
Complete the passage below with the correct idiom:
Deandra didn't go to school because she was sick. Deandra
Deandra didn't go to school because she was sick. Deandra
a)
hit the books
b)
cut her teacher some slack
c)
was a walking encyclopedia
d)
was under the weather
8.
What is the meaning of the proverb, stop and smell the roses?
a)
everyone should pick up a rose and smell it once in a while
b)
roses are meant to be smelled
c)
you should take time in life to enjoy the little things
d)
you need to slow down and smell a rose on your walks
9.
Which proverb has close to the same meaning as practice makes perfect?
a)
if at first you don't succeed, try again
b)
a place for everything and everything in its place
c)
a penny saved is a penny earned
d)
don't cry over spilt milk
10.
What is the meaning of the proverb, measure twice and cut once?
a)
measuring and cutting is fun to do
b)
make sure you know what you're doing before you cut
c)
you need to measure a lot of things before you cut them
d)
be careful to think of the consequences before you make a decision
11.
Which of the following is a proverb/adage?
a)
She is as old as the hills
b)
That was the straw that broke the camel's back
c)
Her smile is as sweet as pie
d)
Wear your heart on your sleeve
12.
All of the following are idioms, adages, and proverbs except...
a)
don't put all of your eggs in one basket
b)
every cloud has a silver lining
c)
it's too late to learn now
d)
money doesn't grow on trees
13.
What is the meaning of the proverb, saved by the bell?
a)
study with a concentrated effort
b)
an interruption that stops you from doing something you didn't want to do
c)
an incredibly knowledgeable person
d)
that's the end of the matter: there's nothing more to be said
14.
What is the meaning of the idiom, on the same page?
a)
thinking alike or understanding something in the same way as others
b)
to start over, usually because something has failed
c)
to know nearly everything about a topic
d)
when real life events seem more unusual or harder to believe than the things people make up
15.
Complete the passage below with the correct idiom:
I spent an hour trying to teach my grandpa how to send text messages, but
I spent an hour trying to teach my grandpa how to send text messages, but
a)
you can't teach an old dog new tricks
b)
he was in the dog house
c)
I was the top dog
d)
he was all bark no bite
16.
Which proverb applies best to the following situation?
The man always complained to his wife about how the neighbors had a nice big house, two wonderful children, and a brand new car. He wanted what they had and didn’t realize or couldn’t see all the wonderful things that he already had.
The man always complained to his wife about how the neighbors had a nice big house, two wonderful children, and a brand new car. He wanted what they had and didn’t realize or couldn’t see all the wonderful things that he already had.
a)
actions speak louder than words
b)
there is no such thing as a free lunch
c)
if you want something done, do it yourself
d)
the grass isn't always greener on the other side
17.
What is the correct meaning of the proverb in the following passage:
Eve just insulted the girl who was teaching her how to ice-skate. That's biting the hand that feeds you.
Eve just insulted the girl who was teaching her how to ice-skate. That's biting the hand that feeds you.
a)
turn against someone who helps you
b)
getting upset over something insignificant
c)
something good getting topped by something better
d)
eating food when you aren't supposed to
18.
All of the following are idioms except...
a)
no more monkey business
b)
knock her socks off
c)
that kills two birds with one stone
d)
don't ever give up
19.
Identify the idiom in this passage:
"It's getting late. Let's call it a day, "Truman's dad said. Truman and his father had been doing years work all afternoon and they still hadn't finished. There were still leaves that needed to be raked."
"It's getting late. Let's call it a day, "Truman's dad said. Truman and his father had been doing years work all afternoon and they still hadn't finished. There were still leaves that needed to be raked."
a)
it's getting late
b)
call it a day
c)
work all afternoon
d)
needed to be raked
20.
Identify the idiom in this passage:
The detectives had been working on the case of the missing painting for weeks. When their final piece of evidence didn't lead to the criminal, it was back to square one. They'd have to try a new approach.
The detectives had been working on the case of the missing painting for weeks. When their final piece of evidence didn't lead to the criminal, it was back to square one. They'd have to try a new approach.
a)
working on the case
b)
piece of evidence
c)
try a new approach
d)
back to square one
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