Speak English Like an American » Review for Lessons 11-15

Practice The Idioms

Choose the best substitute for the phrase or sentence in bold:

  1. Nicole didn't want to go to the party, but her friend twisted her arm.
    • a) persuaded her
    • b) hurt her arm
    • c) agreed with her
  2. Amber needs to go on a diet and lose 10 pounds, but it's difficult for her because she has such a sweet tooth.
    • a) she has a loose tooth
    • b) she has emotional problems
    • c) she likes to eat sweets
  3. Amber likes to design handbags as a hobby, but she's not sure she could make a living at it.
    • a) do it for the rest of her life
    • b) earn enough money to support herself
    • c) do it all day long
  4. Ted wanted to travel to Miami for a rock concert. His mother told him it was out of the question.
    • a) a good idea
    • b) still a possibility
    • c) not a possibility
  5. Nicole worked her tail off, making hundreds of posters for her campaign.
    • a) worked very hard
    • b) worked until her tail fell off
    • c) made her friends work hard
  6. It's crunch time. Ted has to write six papers in two days.
    • a) It's a very busy time.
    • b) It's a time to relax.
    • c) It's a period of time filled with fun and laughter.
  7. My 95-year old neighbor was cutting her grass on a hot summer day. I offered to lend a hand.
    • a) give her my hand
    • b) help her
    • c) drive her to the hospital
  8. Jennifer treats her husband like dirt. I don't know why he doesn't just leave her.
    • a) is very nice to her husband
    • b) asks her husband to do the gardening
    • c) is nasty to her husband
  9. Tattoos are all the rage. Many kids are getting them.
    • a) something that makes you angry
    • b) very popular
    • c) easy to get
  10. Things are looking up for Bob. He's already found a new job working for his wife.
    • a) Bob's situation is getting worse.
    • b) Bob's situation is improving.
    • c) Bob always focuses on positive things.
  11. Susan volunteered to host 45 exchange students from China. Now she fears she's bitten off more than she can chew.
    • a) accepted an easy assignment
    • b) taken on a bigger task than she can handle
    • c) ordered too much Chinese food
  12. If Ted doesn't get going on his chemistry homework soon, he's going to be up all night.
    • a) start doing
    • b) stop doing
    • c) leave the house with
Crossword Puzzle

Across

  • 2. My old job was boring. All I did was _____ numbers all day.
  • 4. Bob went to the Village Market to get the _____ rolling on the cookie business.
  • 5. You didn't take out the garbage yet? Never _____ ! I'll do it myself.
  • 7. Donna ate the whole apple pie herself. I guess she has a _____ tooth.
  • Jim never thought he could sell designer watches on street corners, but his brother taught him the _____ of the trade.
  • 11. You've been working at the computer for hours. Why don't you take a _____?
  • 12. After her boyfriend broke up with her, Anna was feeling down in the _____.
  • 13. Mini-skirts were all the _____ last summer.

Down

  • 1. Susan used to sing opera, but she hasn't sung in years. She's out of _____.
  • 3. Bill thinks he's the smartest guy in the world. His friends think he just has a big _____.
  • 6. I don't like horror movies, but John _____ my arm and I agreed to see Murder on Main Street.
  • 8. My car wasn't running well so I changed the oil. That should do the _____.
  • 10. After the car accident, Betty was a _____ wreck whenever she drove.
  • 11. When I don't get eight hours of sleep, I feel like a _____ case in the morning.
Answer Key
Practice The Idioms
  1. a
  2. c
  3. b
  4. c
  5. a
  6. a
  7. b
  8. c
  9. b
  10. b
  11. b
  12. a
Crossword Puzzle

Answer Key
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