Lesson 30
CCSS
Literal and Nonliteral Meanings
L.3.5.a: Distinguish the literal and nonliteral
meanings of words and phrases in context
(e.g., take steps).
Introduction Words and phrases often have more than one meaning.
• Sometimes words and phrases mean exactly what they say. For example,
the words took steps can mean “walked” or “stepped.”
The hungry lion took steps toward the baby elephant.
• Sometimes words and phrases have a meaning that is different from their usual
meaning. The words took steps can also mean “took action” or “acted.”
The mother elephant quickly took steps to protect her baby.
When you read, keep in mind that words or phrases might have more than one meaning.
Use what you know and nearby words to figure out what the writer really means.
Guided Practice Read each sentence. Circle the meaning of the underlined word
or phrase.
1 A tired elephant calf drops off after playing all morning.
Hint
To figure out what
the underlined part
means, think about
the words that come
before and after it.
goes to sleep lets go falls down
2 A lion creeps through tall grass and goes after the calf.
bothers follows tries to get
3 The mother elephant trumpets for help.
asks makes a loud sound plays the trumpet
4 The calf wakes up but freezes when it sees the lion.
turns to ice gets cold is so scared it can’t move
L30: Literal
L30: Literal
and Nonliteral
and Nonliteral
Meanings
Meanings
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301
Common
Core
Practice
Common
Core
Practice
For numbers 1–5, read each sentence. Then choose the
correct meaning of each underlined word or phrase.
1 Many adult elephants turn up to
protect the calf.
Answer Form
1 A B C D
2 A B C D
3 A B C D
4 A B C D Number
5 A B C D Correct
5
A hold their trunks up
B look toward the sky
C look toward the calf
D arrive suddenly
4 The lion takes off when he
realizes he can’t catch the calf.
Aflies
Bleaves
C jumps up
2 These smart giants use their tusks
to protect the calf.
D becomes angry
A grown-up elephants
B important animals
C large monsters
D huge people
5 The lion doesn’t want to
go another round with
the elephants.
A give up
B walk in a loop
3 The elephants cut the lion
off each time he tries to dash
between them.
C run in a circle
D fight again
A remove a part of the lion
B keep the lion from other lions
C block the lion’s way
D stop the lion from roaring
302
L30: Literal and Nonliteral Meanings
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Lesson 30
Lesson 30
Common
Core
Practice
Common
Core
Practice
CCSS
L.3.5.a: Distinguish the literal and nonliteral
meanings of words and phrases in context
(e g , take steps)
Literal and Nonliteral Meanings
Introduction
Answer Form
A B C D
A B C D
A B C D
A B C D Number
A B C D Correct
For numbers 1–5, read each sentence. Then choose the
correct meaning of each underlined word or phrase.
1
2
3
4
5
Words and phrases often have more than one meaning
1
• Sometimes words and phrases mean exactly what they say For example,
the words took steps can mean “walked” or “stepped ”
Many adult elephants turn up to
protect the calf.
5
A hold their trunks up
The hungry lion took steps toward the baby elephant
B
look toward the sky
C look toward the calf
• Sometimes words and phrases have a meaning that is different from their usual
meaning The words took steps can also mean “took action” or “acted ”
4
D arrive suddenly
The lion takes off when he
realizes he can’t catch the calf.
A flies
The mother elephant quickly took steps to protect her baby
B
leaves
C jumps up
When you read, keep in mind that words or phrases might have more than one meaning
Use what you know and nearby words to figure out what the writer really means
2
These smart giants use their tusks
to protect the calf.
D becomes angry
A grown-up elephants
Guided Practice Read each sentence. Circle the meaning of the underlined word
or phrase.
B
important animals
C large monsters
1
Hint
To figure out what
the underlined part
means, think about
the words that come
before and after it
A tired elephant calf drops off after playing all morning
goes to sleep
2
follows
The elephants cut the lion
off each time he tries to dash
between them.
gets cold
plays the trumpet
B
Copying is not permitted.
D fight again
keep the lion from other lions
C block the lion’s way
is so scared it can’t move
L30: Literal
L30: Literal
and Nonliteral
and Nonliteral
Meanings
Meanings
walk in a loop
C run in a circle
A remove a part of the lion
The calf wakes up but freezes when it sees the lion
turns to ice
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B
3
tries to get
makes a loud sound
The lion doesn’t want to
go another round with
the elephants.
A give up
The mother elephant trumpets for help
asks
4
D huge people
falls down
A lion creeps through tall grass and goes after the calf
bothers
3
lets go
5
D stop the lion from roaring
301
302
L30: Literal and Nonliteral Meanings
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Lesson 30: Literal and Nonliteral Meanings
Common Core Practice, page 302
Guided Practice, page 301
1 D
1 goes to sleep
2 A
2 tries to get
3 C
3 makes a loud sound
4 B
4 is so scared it can’t move
5 D
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Copying is not permitted.
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