CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.9-10.5
The Standard
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Language Standards
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students interpret metaphors, similes, idioms, and other figures of speech using context. They compare related words and explain how connotation, tone, and intensity affect meaning.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students explain what a figure of speech means and how it shapes tone or meaning in context. They compare related words and justify which word best fits a sentence.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may interpret metaphors and idioms literally or assume every comparison uses like or as. They may treat synonyms as interchangeable and overlook differences in tone, intensity, or connotation.
How to Assess It
- Give students one metaphor and three near synonyms in context. Ask them to explain the metaphor, choose the best synonym, and justify both answers with specific words from the passage.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs word cards with idioms, metaphors, and literal meanings, then have them match each expression to its meaning and explain their choices.
Ask students to compare slim, skinny, and scrawny, then write which word best describes a proud athlete and explain the connotation.
Play a context clue relay where teams replace a highlighted word with the closest synonym without changing the sentence's tone.
Collect slogans from advertisements and have students identify figurative phrases, explain their intended effect, and rewrite each slogan literally.
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Printable L.9-10.5 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.9-10.5, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
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