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Worksheets

Proverbs, Adages, & Other Pieces of figurative Language

Total questions: 28

Worksheet time: 36mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Jane and Clyde were going to a barbeque. They got stuck in traffic and were running 20 minutes late. Clyde said, " Better late than never." What does the underlined phrase mean?

a)
It is better to be on time than to be late.
b)
It is better to never arrive at all.
c)
It is better to arrive late than to not arrive at all.
d)
It is better to arrive early than to not arrive at all.
2.
When it rains, it pours.
a)
In times of plenty, we must remember people who suffer more than
we do.
b)
Light sprinkles generally turn into violent storms.
c)
The wetter you get, the harder it rains.
d)
When luck changes, it tends to change dramatically.
3.
The early bird catches the worm
a)
Birds eat a lot of worms when they are hungry
b)
Accomplish two tasks by one action
c)
Whoever arrives first has the best chance for success
d)
None of the above
4.

Rosa decided to hit the books to prepare for the test.

a)

getting revenge doesn't make a situation better

b)

to study

c)

lost confidence

d)

solve a problem now

5.

Even though her brother was mean to her, Marta treated him kindly because two wrongs don't make a right.

a)

getting revenge doesn't make a situation better

b)

to study

c)

lost confidence

d)

solve a problem now

6.

I was down in the dumps when my new bike broke.

a)

a person improves by trying

b)

a long time

c)

feeling bad

d)

a lot of money

e)

was really happy

7.

When Ivan fixed my bike, I was on cloud nine!

a)

a person improves by trying

b)

a lot of time

c)

feeling bad

d)

a lot of money

e)

was really happy

8.

Ivan and his dad like to fix things. Ivan said, "I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." What does the underlined phrase mean?

a)

Ivan and his dad have similar interests and abilities

b)

Ivan and his dad spend their time together fixing things.

c)

Ivan and his dad are slowly becoming very similar people

d)

Ivan and his dad climb trees to pick and toss down apples.

9.

Ivan fixed our TV, so I am planning a surprise party to thank him. If you see Ivan, don't let the cat out of the bag. What does the underlined phrase mean?

a)

Nobody else should plan another party to thank Ivan for fixing the TV.

b)

Nobody should tell Ivan about the party being secretly planned for him.

c)

Only those people specifically invited to the party should come to the party.

d)

People should keep the cat away from the party because Ivan is allergic to cats.

10.

Choose the correct meaning of each underlined proverb or adage.


I promised to run every day, but that was easier said than done.

a)

easily said

b)

easily done

c)

easier to talk about than to do

d)

easier to run than to promise

11.
a)

When you first know a person, give them a book.

b)

Books with no covers are good books.

c)

You can tell what a person is like based on books.

d)

People or things may appear different than who/what they really are.

12.
a)

It's better to be careful now than to regret it later

b)

Umbrellas can keep you safe.

c)

Umbrellas can keep you safe from rain or shine.

d)

It can rain anytime, so be prepared.

13.
a)

People shouldn't live in glass houses.

b)

Don't call out people for something that you also do.

c)

Instead of listening to other people, throw stones at them.

d)

When you tell people to do something, say it inside a glass house.

14.
a)

Pack your suitcase, so you're ready to go anytime.

b)

Things don't always happen when we want, so we just have to be patient.

c)

When you want something to happen, ask for it on your birthday.

d)

If you want something, cry about it until someone gives it to you.

15.
a)

People have different ideas of beauty.

b)

The eyes of the sphynx cats are beautiful.

c)

You should only look at the eyes of the person before you can say that he or she is beautiful.

d)

When something is beautiful for you, everyone should think it's beautiful too.

16.

What does this adage/proverb mean?

"Would you lend me a hand?"

a)

To let someone borrow something

b)

To spend time with someone

c)

To help someone out

d)

To tattle on someone

17.

What does this adage/proverb mean?

"I wear my heart on my sleeve."

a)

To hide your emotions

b)

To be very sick

c)

To show your emotions

d)

To be very happy

18.

What does this adage/proverb mean?

"Spill the beans."

a)

To pour water into cups

b)

To talk about badly about someone

c)

To put beans into a pot

d)

To reveal secret information

19.

The sunflowers nodded their yellow heads.

a)

onomatopeia

b)

personification

c)

simile

d)

metaphor

20.

Charming children chat in the corner.

a)

alliteration

b)

personification

c)

hyperbole

d)

idiom

21.

We had to wait forever!

a)

metaphor

b)

personification

c)

hyperbole

d)

simile

22.

It really burned me up when you yelled at me.

a)

idiom

b)

simile

c)

personification

d)

alliteration

23.

He clattered and clanged as he washed the dishes.

a)

personification

b)

idiom

c)

alliteration

d)

onomatopoeia

24.
What is a proverb?
a)
An adages best friend
b)
A short sentence from ancient origin that gives advice
c)
An old familiar saying that expresses wisdom
d)
None of the above
25.
What is an adage? 
a)
What is an adage???
b)
A saying that doesn't mean what it says
c)
An old familiar saying that expresses wisdom
d)
A proverbs best friend
26.
When it rains, it pours.
a)
In times of plenty, we must remember people who suffer more than
we do.
b)
Light sprinkles generally turn into violent storms.
c)
The wetter you get, the harder it rains.
d)
When luck changes, it tends to change dramatically.
27.
When Danny asked his grandmother while she saved used wrapping paper, she replied, "Waste not, want not."
a)
If you don't want anything, you are not a wasteful person.
b)
If you carefully save things, you will not find yourself in need of things.
28.
Although I was still mad at my cousin for losing my book, I decided to let sleeping dogs lie and not mention it again.
a)
It is better not to restart an old argument
b)
It is better to let your relatives' pets sleep on the floor