Students interpret three idioms and adages in context — 'practice makes perfect' after piano practice, 'every cloud has a silver lining' after a storm, and 'on thin ice' as a teacher's warning. Part B has five fill-in-the-blank problems about judging by appearances, figurative meaning, and the message of 'two wrongs don't make a right.'
Interpreting sayings embedded in narrative passages — rather than in isolation — mirrors how students encounter figurative language in actual reading and on standardized assessments.
Style:
Idioms, Adages & Proverbs
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Lena practiced piano every day for a year. Her teacher said, "Practice makes perfect." What does this adage mean?
A) Only perfect people should practice
B) Practicing regularly leads to improvement
C) You must practice once to be perfect
D) Perfection is impossible to achieve
2. After the storm destroyed their garden, Dad said, "Every cloud has a silver lining." What did he mean?
A) Storm clouds contain silver
B) The garden will grow back by itself
C) Something positive can come from a bad situation
D) Clouds always bring good weather afterward
3. Sam forgot his homework again. His teacher warned, "You are on thin ice." What does this idiom mean?
A) The classroom floor is slippery
B) Sam should go ice skating
C) Sam is in a risky situation and may face consequences
D) Sam needs to wear warmer clothes
4. Before the spelling bee, Mia's friend said, "Break a leg!" Why did her friend say this?
A) She wanted Mia to get injured
B) She was warning Mia to be careful
C) She was wishing Mia good luck
D) She thought the stage was dangerous
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. "Don't judge a book by its cover" warns us not to judge by appearance.
2. An idiom has a figurative meaning that differs from its literal words.
3. "Two wrongs don't make a right" is an adage meaning revenge does not create justice.
4. When someone "burns the midnight oil," they are working very late.
5. "Where there's a will, there's a way" teaches that determination helps overcome obstacles.
Idioms, Adages & Proverbs
★ Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Lena practiced piano every day for a year. Her teacher said, "Practice makes perfect." What does this adage mean?
A) Only perfect people should practice
B) Practicing regularly leads to improvement
C) You must practice once to be perfect
D) Perfection is impossible to achieve
2. After the storm destroyed their garden, Dad said, "Every cloud has a silver lining." What did he mean?
A) Storm clouds contain silver
B) The garden will grow back by itself
C) Something positive can come from a bad situation
D) Clouds always bring good weather afterward
3. Sam forgot his homework again. His teacher warned, "You are on thin ice." What does this idiom mean?
A) The classroom floor is slippery
B) Sam should go ice skating
C) Sam is in a risky situation and may face consequences
D) Sam needs to wear warmer clothes
4. Before the spelling bee, Mia's friend said, "Break a leg!" Why did her friend say this?
A) She wanted Mia to get injured
B) She was warning Mia to be careful
C) She was wishing Mia good luck
D) She thought the stage was dangerous
★ Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1) "Don't judge a book by its cover" warns us not to judge by appearance.
2) An idiom has a figurative meaning that differs from its literal words.
3) "Two wrongs don't make a right" is an adage meaning revenge does not create justice.
4) When someone "burns the midnight oil," they are working very late.
5) "Where there's a will, there's a way" teaches that determination helps overcome obstacles.
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9 Questions
12-18 minutes
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