Common Core: 3rd Grade English Language Arts : Distinguish Literal and Nonliteral Meanings of Words and Phrases: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.5.A
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 3rd Grade English Language Arts
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Distinguish Literal And Nonliteral Meanings Of Words And Phrases: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.5.A
The sentence below has a nonliteral meaning. Select the answer that is this sentence's literal meaning.
It's raining cats and dogs outside!
It's pouring down rain outside.
There are cats everywhere.
There are dogs everywhere.
There are cats and dogs everywhere.
It's pouring down rain outside.
"Raining cats and dogs" is an expression used to describe rain. It means that the rain is really coming down hard, or that it's pouring down rain.
Example Question #2 : Figurative Language, Word Relationships And Nuances In Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.5
The sentence below has a nonliteral meaning. Select the answer that is this sentence's literal meaning.
The ground is as dry as a bone.
The ground is covered in bones.
There are bones all over the ground.
The ground is very dry.
A bone is very dry.
The ground is very dry.
The phrase “as dry as a bone” means to be very dry. In the original sentence, this phrase is being used to describe the ground. Thus, the correct answer is “The ground is very dry.”
Example Question #3 : Figurative Language, Word Relationships And Nuances In Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.5
The sentence below has a nonliteral meaning. Select the answer that is this sentence's literal meaning.
It was like pulling teeth to get Brittany to do her homework.
Brittany had to pull her teeth in order to do her homework.
It was very difficult to get Brittany to do her homework.
Brittany’s homework assignment was to pull out her teeth.
Brittany had to go to the dentist to learn how to pull teeth out.
It was very difficult to get Brittany to do her homework.
The phrase “like pulling teeth” means something is very difficult. Thus, “It was very difficult to get Brittany to do her homework.” is the correct answer.
Example Question #4 : Figurative Language, Word Relationships And Nuances In Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.5
The sentence below has a nonliteral meaning. Select the answer that is this sentence's literal meaning.
As I was talking to the class, my words were going in one ear and out the other.
As I was talking to the class, the students were paying attention.
As I was talking to the class, the students weren’t listening.
As I was talking to the class, the students were listening closely.
As I was talking to the class, the students were playing with their ears.
As I was talking to the class, the students weren’t listening.
The phrase “in one ear and out the other” means to not be paying attention or to not be listening. The correct answer is, “As I was talking to the class, the students weren’t listening."
Example Question #5 : Figurative Language, Word Relationships And Nuances In Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.5
The sentence below has a nonliteral meaning. Select the answer that is this sentence's literal meaning.
Blin had to pull strings to get his son the job.
Blin had to tie his shoes nice and tight.
Blin had to ask a favor to get his son the job.
Blin had to prepare his son for the job.
Blin had to go on the interview for his son to get the job.
Blin had to ask a favor to get his son the job.
The phrase “pull strings” means to ask a favor. The correct answer is “Blin had to ask a favor to get his son the job.”
Example Question #6 : Figurative Language, Word Relationships And Nuances In Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.5
The sentence below has a nonliteral meaning. Select the answer that is this sentence's literal meaning.
Kaitlyn is going to have to hit the books if she wants to ace her test.
Kaitlyn is going to have to study other things other than her books if she wants to ace the test.
Kaitlyn is going to have to get new books to study if she wants to ace her test.
Kaitlyn is going to have to study hard if she wants to ace the test.
Kaitlyn is going to throw her books away if she wants to ace the test.
Kaitlyn is going to have to study hard if she wants to ace the test.
The phrase “hit the books” means to study hard. The correct answer is, “Kaitlyn is going to have to study hard if she wants to ace the test.”
Example Question #7 : Figurative Language, Word Relationships And Nuances In Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.5
The sentence below has a nonliteral meaning. Select the answer that is this sentence's literal meaning.
I’m tired, so I’m going to hit the hay.
I’m going to go to bed.
I’m going to feed the horse hay.
I’m going to go to the barn.
I’m going to go feed the horse.
I’m going to go to bed.
The phrase “hit the hay” means to go to bed. “I’m going to go to bed.” is the correct answer.
Example Question #8 : Figurative Language, Word Relationships And Nuances In Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.5
The sentence below has a nonliteral meaning. Select the answer that is this sentence's literal meaning.
My mom warned me not to spill the beans to my sister and ruin her surprise party.
My mom warned me not to talk about the surprise party to my sister.
My mom warned me not to spill the food needed for my sister’s surprise party.
My mom wanted me not to waste the beans needed for my sister’s surprise party.
My mom warned me not to spill beans on the floor.
My mom warned me not to talk about the surprise party to my sister.
The phrase “spill the beans” means to share or reveal a secret. The correct answer is “My mom warned me not to talk about the surprise party to my sister.”
Example Question #9 : Figurative Language, Word Relationships And Nuances In Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.5
The sentence below has a nonliteral meaning. Select the answer that is this sentence's literal meaning.
My dad is an excellent gardener. He has a green thumb.
My dad is an excellent gardener. The plants always turn his thumb green.
My dad is an excellent gardener. He plants so many green things his thumb turns green.
My dad is an excellent gardener. He has the magic touch to make all the plants turn green.
My dad is an excellent gardener. He is able to grow plants well.
My dad is an excellent gardener. He is able to grow plants well.
The phrase “green thumb” means to grow plants well. The correct answer is, “My dad is an excellent gardener. He is able to grow plants well.”
Example Question #10 : Figurative Language, Word Relationships And Nuances In Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.5
The sentence below has a nonliteral meaning. Select the answer that is this sentence's literal meaning.
Maggie came over to my house to chill out.
Maggie came over to my house because we have the air conditioner running.
Maggie came over to my house to relax.
Maggie came over to my house because she was too hot in her house.
Maggie came over to my house to cool off.
Maggie came over to my house to relax.
The phrase “chill out” means to relax. “Maggie came over to my house to relax.”
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All Common Core: 3rd Grade English Language Arts Resources
