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Worksheets

Nonliteral Expressions

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 8mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

During the group project, Jamal didn’t say anything even when his teammates asked for ideas. One student said, “Jamal is a wallflower.” What does “a wallflower” mean in this situation?

a)

Jamal likes gardening

b)

Jamal is standing near the wall

c)

Jamal is very quiet and shy

d)

Jamal is decorating the room

2.

When the math test was returned, Elena got a 100%. Her friend said, “You really knocked it out of the park.” What does this expression mean?

a)

Elena went outside to play sports

b)

Elena broke something

c)

Elena did extremely well

d)

Elena left the classroom

3.

After staying up late studying, Marcus told his teacher, “My brain is fried.” What does Marcus mean?

a)

His brain is damaged

b)

He is very tired and mentally exhausted

c)

He is hungry

d)

He forgot his homework

4.

When the teacher announced a surprise quiz, the class went silent. One student whispered, “Well, that came out of left field.” What does this expression mean?

a)

The quiz was easy

b)

The quiz was expected

c)

The quiz was confusing

d)

The quiz was unexpected

5.

After forgetting his lines during the presentation, Alex said, “I really dropped the ball.” What does “dropped the ball” mean?

a)

He lost a game

b)

He made a mistake or failed to do something

c)

He tripped while walking

d)

He forgot his backpack

6.

When Sarah heard her favorite band was coming to town, she said, “I’m over the moon.” What does this expression mean?

a)

She is confused

b)

She is nervous

c)

She is extremely happy

d)

She is tired

7.

During a long meeting, the principal talked for over an hour. A teacher later said, “He really likes to hear himself talk.” What does this mean?

a)

The principal talks a lot

b)

The principal sings well

c)

The principal is shy

d)

The principal is nervous

8.

After practicing every day, Maya said the piano piece was “second nature” to her. What does “second nature” mean?

a)

Difficult to remember

b)

Easy and automatic

c)

New and unfamiliar

d)

Boring

9.

When the team lost by one point, the coach said, “We were so close—within arm’s reach.” What does this expression mean?

a)

The team played aggressively

b)

The team was very close to winning

c)

The team didn’t try hard

d)

The team won easily

10.

After hearing the rumor, Kayla said, “I’ll take that with a grain of salt.” What does this mean?

a)

She believes it completely

b)

She is angry about it

c)

She is unsure and cautious about believing it

d)

She plans to tell everyone

11.

When the substitute teacher struggled with technology, a student thought, “She’s in over her head.” What does “in over her head” mean?

a)

She is very tall

b)

She is overwhelmed and struggling

c)

She is confident

d)

She is distracted

12.

After winning the debate, Jordan told his opponent, “No hard feelings.” What does this expression mean?

a)

Jordan is still angry

b)

Jordan wants to argue more

c)

Jordan does not want any bad emotions between them

d)

Jordan feels embarrassed

13.

When the bell rang, the hallway became loud and crowded. A teacher said it was “a zoo.” What does “a zoo” mean in this context?

a)

There were animals in the hallway

b)

The hallway was exciting

c)

The hallway was noisy and chaotic

d)

The hallway was empty

14.

After missing several assignments, the counselor told the student it was time to “face the music.” What does this expression mean?

a)

Listen to music

b)

Ignore the problem

c)

Accept the consequences

d)

Ask for help

15.

When the class worked together smoothly, the teacher said, “You’re all on the same page.” What does this expression mean?

a)

Everyone is reading the same book

b)

Everyone understands and agrees

c)

Everyone is quiet

d)

Everyone is confused