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Literal or figurative? Phrases that don't mean what they say

3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 16 questions · Common Core: L.3.5.A, RL.3.4 · England: Y3/4 Reading (figurative language), Y4 Vocabulary (idioms)

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1
Question 1
Is this sentence literal or figurative? Snow fell gently on the roof.
- A. literal: it means exactly what it says
- B. figurative: it means something different
2
Question 2
Read the sentence. Leo let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party. What did he do?
- A. He bought a bag.
- B. He told the secret.
- C. He freed a cat.
- D. He planned the party.
3
Question 3
Is this sentence literal or figurative? The gold coin was heavy.
- A. literal: it means exactly what it says
- B. figurative: it means something different
4
Question 4
Read the sentence. The maths test was a piece of cake. What does "a piece of cake" mean?
- A. very easy
- B. very long
- C. very messy
- D. very sweet
5
Question 5
Is this sentence literal or figurative? I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.
- A. literal: it means exactly what it says
- B. figurative: it means something different
6
Question 6
Read the sentence. Ana felt under the weather, so she stayed home. What does "under the weather" mean?
- A. too hot
- B. a bit ill
- C. very happy
- D. outside in the rain
7
Question 7
Is this sentence literal or figurative? I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.
- A. literal: it means exactly what it says
- B. figurative: it means something different
8
Question 8
Read the sentence. Leo let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party. What did he do?
- A. He planned the party.
- B. He told the secret.
- C. He bought a bag.
- D. He freed a cat.
9
Question 9
Is this sentence literal or figurative? The bird flew over the fence.
- A. literal: it means exactly what it says
- B. figurative: it means something different
10
Question 10
Read the sentence. The new rule was a bitter pill to swallow. What does "a bitter pill to swallow" mean?
- A. something tasty
- B. something hard to accept
- C. an easy rule
- D. some medicine
11
Question 11
Is this sentence literal or figurative? My brother has a heart of gold.
- A. literal: it means exactly what it says
- B. figurative: it means something different
12
Question 12
Read the sentence. Ana felt under the weather, so she stayed home. What does "under the weather" mean?
- A. very happy
- B. outside in the rain
- C. too hot
- D. a bit ill
13
Question 13
Is this sentence literal or figurative? Snow fell gently on the roof.
- A. literal: it means exactly what it says
- B. figurative: it means something different
14
Question 14
Read the sentence. My little sister is a chatterbox. What does that mean?
- A. She likes boxes.
- B. She talks a lot.
- C. She owns a box.
- D. She is very quiet.
15
Question 15
Is this sentence literal or figurative? Dad broke a plate when he dropped it.
- A. literal: it means exactly what it says
- B. figurative: it means something different
16
Question 16
Read the sentence. "I'm all ears," said Dad. "Tell me about your day." What does "all ears" mean?
- A. ready to listen carefully
- B. wants to sleep
- C. cannot hear
- D. has big ears

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Answer key: Literal or figurative? Phrases that don't mean what they say

1. A. literal: it means exactly what it says
2. B. He told the secret.
3. A. literal: it means exactly what it says
4. A. very easy
5. B. figurative: it means something different
6. B. a bit ill
7. B. figurative: it means something different
8. B. He told the secret.
9. A. literal: it means exactly what it says
10. B. something hard to accept
11. B. figurative: it means something different
12. D. a bit ill
13. A. literal: it means exactly what it says
14. B. She talks a lot.
15. A. literal: it means exactly what it says
16. A. ready to listen carefully