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Grade 3 · Grammar · Vocabulary

3rd Grade Literal and Nonliteral Language worksheets

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Literal and Nonliteral Language

Grade 3 Grammar Worksheet - Challenge Me

NameDate

Circle the answer, or write your answer on the lines.

  1. What does the simile mean? “Kofi was as busy as a bee all morning.”

    • Kofi was afraid of bees.
    • Kofi was very sleepy.
    • Kofi was working hard.
    • Kofi was buzzing like a bee.
  2. Read: “The snow was a white blanket on the town. Kids ran out to play.” What does the metaphor compare?

    • snow and kids
    • kids and a blanket
    • the town and the kids
    • snow and a blanket
  3. Which sentence uses a simile?

    • Ella ran very fast.
    • Ella ran to the store.
    • Ella ran like the wind.
    • Ella was a rocket on the track.
  4. Read: “Our classroom was a beehive. Everyone was busy building their projects.” What does “a beehive” tell about the classroom?

    • It was full of busy people.
    • It was shaped like a hive.
    • It had bees in it.
    • It was very quiet.
  5. Which sentence uses a metaphor?

    • Grandpa's hands were cold.
    • Grandpa's hands were ice.
    • Grandpa's hands were as cold as ice.
    • Grandpa held some ice.
  6. What does the simile mean? “The new puppy was as light as a feather.”

    • The puppy was very bright.
    • The puppy did not weigh much.
    • The puppy could fly.
    • The puppy had feathers.
  7. Read: “Mia's smile was sunshine on a rainy day. Her friends cheered up right away.” Why did the writer compare her smile to sunshine?

    • to show her smile made people happy
    • to show it was raining
    • to show her friends were sad
    • to show her smile was hot
  8. Which phrase is nonliteral? “The baby slept like a log. In the morning, she drank her milk and played.”

    • In the morning
    • slept like a log
    • drank her milk
    • played
  9. What does the metaphor mean? “When my brother loses a game, he is a bear for an hour.”

    • He is very funny.
    • He is very strong.
    • He is a real bear.
    • He is grumpy.
  10. Rewrite the sentence with a simile using like or as. Then tell what it means. Draft: The kitten was very small.

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3rd Grade Literal and Nonliteral Language worksheet 1 – printable PDF
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About this worksheet

Literal and Nonliteral Language matters in third grade because students are writing longer answers and need grammar choices that make meaning clear. Third graders may choose a word that sounds familiar instead of checking the sentence meaning or the word part. This worksheet keeps the work inside complete sentences instead of isolated labels. Students identify the target language feature, choose a clear revision, use sentence clues, and explain why the answer fits. The items rotate across identifying the feature, choosing a correct revision, explaining what a word or mark does, and rejecting common distractors.

Support versions use familiar school contexts and shorter sentences. Standard and challenge versions add closer choices and more varied wording. Encourage your child to read the whole sentence aloud before answering, then check whether the answer fits both the grammar rule and the meaning. That habit prevents guessing from one nearby word and builds editing habits for real writing.

What your child will learn

  • Use the target Grade 3 language skill
  • Read sentence clues
  • Choose precise words
  • Explain grammar or vocabulary evidence

Common Core standard: L.3.5.A

Worked example

A strong language answer fits the sentence and can be explained with a grammar rule or context clue.

Common mistake

Guessing from one nearby word without rereading the full sentence.

Helpful hint

Ask whether the words mean exactly what they say.

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with literal and nonliteral language?

Guessing from one nearby word without rereading the full sentence.

How can I help my child with literal and nonliteral language?

Ask whether the words mean exactly what they say.

Are these 3rd grade grammar worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

Similar: Domain-Specific Vocabulary · Alliteration and Onomatopoeia

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