Literal and Nonliteral Language
Grade 3 Grammar Worksheet
Circle the answer, or write your answer on the lines.
What does “break the ice” mean? “Ms. Ruiz told a joke to break the ice on the first day.”
- She made the room cold.
- She helped everyone feel relaxed.
- She ended the class early.
- She cracked some ice.
What does “spill the beans” mean? “Don't spill the beans about Mom's surprise party!”
- Don't drop the beans.
- Don't tell the secret.
- Don't cook the beans.
- Don't forget the party.
Which sentence is nonliteral?
- Jamal put books on the shelf.
- Jamal carried his books home.
- Jamal hit the books all weekend.
- Jamal read three books all weekend.
Which words help show what “cost an arm and a leg” means? “The new bike cost an arm and a leg, so Dad saved money for months.”
- The new bike
- an arm
- so
- Dad saved money for months
What does “let the cat out of the bag” mean? “Nora let the cat out of the bag about the class trip.”
- She opened a bag.
- She packed for the trip.
- She told the secret.
- She found a lost cat.
Which sentence is literal?
- Diego broke the ice at the party.
- Diego is a night owl.
- Diego was all thumbs.
- Diego broke a glass in the kitchen.
What does “the ball is in your court” mean? “I gave you two ideas. Now the ball is in your court.”
- The game is over.
- The ball rolled to you.
- It is your turn to decide.
- You need to find the ball.
What does “once in a blue moon” mean? “We eat at that restaurant once in a blue moon.”
- very rarely
- only when the moon is blue
- every night
- every week
What does “hit the nail on the head” mean? “Priya hit the nail on the head when she named the problem.”
- She used a hammer.
- She was totally wrong.
- She hurt her head.
- She was exactly right.
Rewrite the sentence with an idiom that means telling a secret. Then tell what it means. Draft: Mia told everyone about the surprise.