A sample of 180 students in fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh grades participated in a study of the effect of age on the precision of interpretation of metaphorical language. All students read at or above fourth grade level. Metaphorical-language interpretation ability was measured by a 38-item instrument developed by the investigator using metaphorical expressions obtained from trade books recommended for students in the intermediate grades. Results indicated that there were significant differences in the ability to interpret metaphorical language, among fourth, fifth, and sixth graders; that there was no significant difference between the sexes in metaphorical-language interpretation ability; and that there were significant positive relationships among reading vocabulary, reading comprehension, total reading achievement, and ability to interpret metaphorical language. However, neither reading-achievement skill appeared to be more closely related to the ability to interpret metaphorical language than did the other. (Author/AA)