Speak English Like an American » Review for Lessons 1-5

Practice The Idioms

Fill in the blank with the missing word:

  1. After copying from his friend's paper during the test, Ted was on _____ ice with his chemistry teacher.
    • a) thick
    • b) thin
    • c) dangerous
  2. Ted's teacher hit the _____ on the head. Ted should spend less time playing guitar and more time studying.
    • a) tack
    • b) nail
    • c) screw
  3. I'm not really crazy about my friend's husband. He talks too much, and he never listens to what anybody else is saying. He's just not my cup of _____.
    • a) coffee
    • b) cocoa
    • c) tea
  4. If Ted has his _____ set on going to New York University, he's going to have to buckle down and start studying more.
    • a) life
    • b) brain
    • c) heart
  5. It's not surprising that Nicole gets such good grades. She's as _____ as a tack.
    • a) smart
    • b) sharp
    • c) clever
  6. When Peter _____ his temper, it's very scary. He throws furniture everywhere.
    • a) loses
    • b) finds
    • c) opens
  7. After Jane started hitting the _____, her grades started improving immediately.
    • a) work
    • b) books
    • c) teachers
  8. Nicole said something _____ her breath, but I couldn't hear it. When I asked her to repeat it, she refused.
    • a) on
    • b) about
    • c) under
  9. Will Ted ever be the best student in his class? Sure, when _____ fly!
    • a) sheep
    • b) goats
    • c) pigs
  10. A positive attitude leads to success. When things get difficult, it's important to keep your _____ up.
    • a) chin
    • b) neck
    • c) head
  11. Bob was all stressed _____ because the traffic was making him late for a doctor's appointment.
    • a) over
    • b) out
    • c) up
  12. Frank knew that the judge had already decided he was guilty. There was no point _____ arguing with him.
    • a) in
    • b) around
    • c) about
  13. Some people think Nicole and Susan are sisters. That really _____ Nicole crazy!
    • a) does
    • b) causes
    • c) drives
  14. Ted has been slacking _____ since the first day of high school, so it's not surprising that he's doing so poorly.
    • a) around
    • b) off
    • c) about
  15. During the Depression in the 1930's, many families in America were living from hand to _____.
    • a) arm
    • b) mouth
    • c) hand
Crossword Puzzle

Across

  • 2. "What's the _____?" Sue asked Bob. "You look very unhappy."
  • 3. Sue doesn't want Bob to be sad. She wants him to keep his _____ up.
  • 4. Bob's boss doesn't want Bob back. He's already made up his _____.
  • 6. After failing his chemistry class once, Ted is taking it again. "Don't _____ it this time!" said his father.
  • 7. Bob doesn't like the people at Honest Abe's Furniture Store. They give him the _____.
  • 8. Ted's father wants him to study more. He tells Ted to hit the _____.
  • 9. You got an "A" in every subject? That's very impressive! You must be as sharp as a _____.

Down

  • 1. Bob was _____. Now he needs to find a new job.
  • 3. Nicole's teacher was pleased with her and paid her a _____.
  • 5. Ted's fancy new CD player cost an arm and a _____.
  • 7. Ted is doing poorly in chemistry because he _____ class so often.
  • 8. I wouldn't trust Lisa. She has a long history of stabbing her friends in the _____.
Answer Key
Practice The Idioms
  1. b
  2. b
  3. c
  4. c
  5. b
  6. a
  7. b
  8. c
  9. c
  10. a
  11. b
  12. a
  13. c
  14. b
  15. b
Crossword Puzzle

Answer Key
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