Idioms and old sayings

Grade 6 Reading Worksheet - Challenge Me

Circle the best answer.

1. 1.

   Sentence with an adage and an idiom. Kira reads: "Look before you leap, said the guide, so we stayed on the fence about the steep trail." Which reading fits both phrases?

   • We thought it over and had not decided yet
   • We jumped right in and chose the trail
   • We decided many hands would carry us
   • We sat on a fence beside the trail
2. 2.

   Luz reads: "The test was so hard it was a piece of cake." Which change fixes the idiom?

   • The test was so hard it was a piece of pie.
   • The test was so hard, and practice makes perfect.
   • The test was so hard it was on the fence.
   • The test was so easy it was a piece of cake.
3. 3.

   Milo reads: "Bo was in hot water, so the coach gave Bo an award." Which change fixes the idiom?

   • Bo was in hot water, so the coach gave Bo a warning.
   • Bo was in hot water, so the coach gave Bo a towel.
   • Bo was on the fence, so the coach gave Bo an award.
   • Bo was in hot water, so practice makes perfect.
4. 4.

   Noah reads: "Once in a blue moon, the band practices every single day." Which change fixes the idiom?

   • Once in a blue moon, the band skips practice.
   • Once in a blue moon, the band practices each day.
   • Once in a blue moon, the band practices under the moon.
   • Once in a blue moon, the band sees eye to eye.
5. 5.

   Why might a writer use "bit off more than she could chew" instead of "took on too much"? Pick the best reason, Pia.

   • The picture of too big a bite makes the idea vivid
   • The idiom makes the problem sound smaller
   • The idiom gives advice for the rest of life
   • The idiom tells the reader the person was eating a big meal
6. 6.

   Why might a speaker end a team talk with "Many hands make light work"? Pick the best reason, Ren.

   • The saying tells each person on the team to do the work alone
   • The old saying makes the advice to help out easy to remember
   • The saying warns the team to slow down
   • The saying tells the team to lift the light boxes
7. 7.

   Why might a story say a nervous character "got cold feet" instead of "got scared"? Pick the best reason, Tala.

   • It tells the reader the character's feet were cold
   • It shows the character felt brave and ready
   • It gives advice to think before acting
   • It gives a lively picture of freezing up before acting
8. 8.

   Which sentence uses "the ball is in your court" correctly, Zee?

   • I made my offer, so the ball is in your court.
   • I told your secret, so the ball is in your court.
   • We played tennis, so the ball is in your court.
   • You already decided, so the ball is in your court.
9. 9.

   Which sentence uses "break the ice" correctly, Ari?

   • The rude joke helped break the ice and ended the talk.
   • The coach helped break the ice by telling a secret.
   • The skater fell and helped break the ice at the pond.
   • A funny question helped break the ice at the new club.
10. 10.

    Which sentence uses "Haste makes waste" correctly, Bo?

    • Jun threw the waste away fast, so haste makes waste.
    • Jun took time on the model and won, so haste makes waste.
    • Jun asked a friend for help, so haste makes waste.
    • Jun rushed the model and broke it, so haste makes waste.