TESTS English Idioms and Expressions (Tests) © 2003—2006 www.english-test.net 1. elementary-1 English Idioms and Expressions / Elementary level # 1 Adding Up Q1 I cannot understand why she did that, it really doesn't add up. (a) doesn't calculate (b) isn't mathematics (c) doesn't make sense (d) makes the wrong addition Q2 All the sudents got high marks in the test but Mary stood out. (a) got a lot of marks (b) got higher marks than someone (c) got very good marks (d) got the most marks of all Q3 He has sold his house and has no job and so now he has next to nothing. (a) he is unemployed (b) he has almost no money (c) he has a few things (d) he has nothing at all Q4 As a newspaper reporter she always wanted to get information at first hand. (a) quickly (b) slowly (c) easily (d) directly Q5 I think we can safely say now that we have got our money back, we are home and dry. (a) have not got wet (b) have got no water (c) have been successful (d) have got home dry Q6 He is the man who owns all the land and is the big fish around here. (a) the fat man (b) the huge man (c) the important man (d) the enormous man Q7 She never stops talking about herself and is full of herself. (a) is very fat (b) is too fat (c) is very full (d) is very conceited Q8 You will not slip over because the floor is as dry as a bone. (a) completely hard (b) extremely flat (c) totally dry (d) completely cracked Q9 He kept saying he didn't do it but in the end he said he had done it. (a) at the end (b) finally (c) at last (d) by the end Q10 I know you are very sorry that you broke the pot but accidents will happen. (a) things will take place (b) things do occur (c) things take place often (d) things often go wrong © 2003—2006 www.english-test.net 2. elementary-2 English Idioms and Expressions / Elementary level # 2 Take it in Q1 I'm sorry I didn't take in what he said. (a) listen (b) hear (c) understand (d) note Q2 I hope she gets through her exams next week. (a) passes (b) follows (c) takes (d) stands Q3 What time do you get up in the morning? (a) leave home (b) start for work (c) finish off sleep (d) get out of bed Q4 When you stop work, you can take up golf. (a) finish playing (b) start playing (c) stop playing (d) enjoy playing Q5 Don't overdo it because you're very tired. (a) do a lot (b) do a little (c) do too little (d) do too much Q6 When does your plane take off? (a) leave the ground (b) start to land (c) begin to arrive (d) finish landing Q7 As a student she has just enough money to get by on. (a) live fully (b) live simply (c) live easily (d) live quietly Q8 I don't know who wrote this note because I can't make out the signature. (a) discover (b) find (c) read (d) learn Q9 We don't have enough money for a car so we make do with bicycles. (a) use many times (b) use instead (c) use sometimes (d) use always Q10 What time do you get in after work? (a) have tea (b) eat supper (c) reach home (d) have a rest © 2003—2006 www.english-test.net 3. elementary-3 English Idioms and Expressions / Elementary level # 3 Take it easy Q1 I just want to stay at home and watch television and take it easy. (a) sleep (b) sit down (c) eat (d) relax Q2 Am I allowed to smoke in here? (a) May I (b) Must I (c) Can I (d) Will I Q3 Are you any good at cooking? (a) Can you cook sometimes (b) Do you cook very often (c) Can you cook well (d) Do you like cooking Q4 When do you do the washing up? (a) clean the dishes (b) do the housework (c) wash the floor (d) clean the windows Q5 She never shouts at her children. (a) makes conversation with (b) calls out to (c) talks in a loud voice to (d) speaks quickly to Q6 We're fed up with the bad weather. (a) very tired of (b) full of (c) interested in (d) unhappy with Q7 Don't forget to drop me a line when you're away. (a) telephone me (b) call me (c) write to me (d) send me a telegram Q8 She had never been to Paris before. (a) heard of (b) read about (c) tried (d) visited Q9 I'm afraid he has got it wrong. (a) said it incorrectly (b) did an error (c) did a mistake (d) made a mistake Q10 When you come to the crossroads, you turn left. (a) look left (b) go to the left (c) find the left (d) keep to the left © 2003—2006 www.english-test.net 4. elementary-4 English Idioms and Expressions / Elementary level # 4 For Good Q1 You'll never see your money again because I'm afraid he's gone for good. (a) clearly (b) permanently (c) quickly (d) slowly Q2 You've no need to worry I promise you they'll arrive on Thursday for sure. (a) absolutely (b) positively (c) definitively (d) definitely Q3 They're very generous in that museum — not only is the entrance fee reasonable but they give you a brochure for free. (a) at no cost (b) at little cost (c) at some cost (d) at low cost Q4 Well, for starters I honestly think we should work out what all this work is going to cost. (a) to work for (b) to look at (c) to begin with (d) to work through Q5 As you're a friend of mine, I won't charge you much in fact I'll do it for nothing. (a) at some charge (b) at little charge (c) at low charge (d) at no charge Q6 I know it didn't look like that but the truth is they only did it for fun. (a) as a joke (b) as humour (c) as funny (d) as joking Q7 I do recommend you take out an insurance policy on the house for your own peace of mind. (a) to stop you thinking (b) to stop you worrying (c) to stop you believing (d) to stop you sleeping Q8 No wonder she's jumping for joy, she's just been given promotion. (a) very jumpy (b) very silly (c) very happy (d) very noisy Q9 They decided to move away from the city to the countryside for the sake of the children. (a) speaking about (b) talking about (c) dreaming about (d) thinking about Q10 The battleships were all waiting in the harbour ready for action. (a) prepared for war (b) prepared for anything (c) prepared for something (d) prepared for take off © 2003—2006 www.english-test.net 5. elementary-5 English Idioms and Expressions / Elementary level # 5 In Control Q1 They tried in vain to save enough money to buy a house and so finally they rented one. (a) without money (b) without trial (c) without success (d) without work Q2 If you are in any doubt about the offer, please give me a ring. (a) at all unsure (b) at all happy (c) at all certain (d) at all sure Q3 The children knew full well they were in danger skating because they had read the notice about the thin ice. (a) unhappy (b) uncertain (c) unclear (d) unsafe Q4 Considering they are over 70 years old, you must admit they are in good shape. (a) fit (b) wealthy (c) clever (d) slow Q5 Thanks to her regular workouts and sensible diet she certainly strikes me as in the pink. (a) in extreme health (b) in good health (c) in absolute health (d) in clear health Q6 I'm sorry to say that he's in trouble again with the boss over being late for work so many times. (a) the boss is going to reprimand him (b) the boss is going to sack him (c) the boss is going to hit him (d) the boss is going to trouble him Q7 What I really have in mind is a garden where there is very little to look after throughout the year. (a) think (b) believe (c) visualize (d) consider Q8 Although Romeo and Juliet were deeply in love, they still managed to kill themselves. (a) loved each other often (b) loved each other very much (c) loved each other most of the time (d) loved each other mostly Q9 I think you can stop worrying now because it's quite clear she's in command of the situation. (a) in control (b) in sight (c) in place (d) in view Q10 In time when you've got used to the idea, you'll be pleased you did it. (a) At last (b) At first (c) At least (d) Eventually © 2003—2006 www.english-test.net 6. elementary-6 English Idioms and Expressions / Elementary level # 6 Out of Control Q1 If you don't tell the children the difference between right and wrong, they will soon be out of control. (a) well behaved (b) badly behaved (c) suddenly behaved (d) quickly behaved Q2 If you think I'm going to parachute out of a plane for fun, you must be out of your mind. (a) mad (b) unsure (c) unusual (d) uncertain Q3 Wait till they're out of sight, and then I'll show you what I'm buying them for Christmas. (a) unable to show (b) unable to find (c) unable to follow (d) unable to see Q4 I'm very sorry but you're out of luck because we sold the last one about twenty minutes ago. (a) unhappy (b) unlucky (c) unable (d) undecided Q5 Wait until they're out of earshot, then I tell you exactly what happened to them when they were on holiday. (a) unable to tell (b) unable to hear (c) unable to say (d) unable to speak Q6 You have a limited number of minutes to answer the test and you've spent 3 minutes so you're out of time. (a) you've used up your time (b) you've used in your time (c) you've used for your time (d) you've used out your time Q7 I'm afraid I'm not feeling too well at the moment because I've only walked a little way and I'm out of breath already. (a) I can't breathe slowly (b) I can't breathe quickly (c) I can't breathe fast (d) I can't breathe easily Q8 There's a big notice up there which unfortunately we didn't see because it said 'out of bounds'. (a) keep through (b) keep out (c) keep on (d) keep in Q9 I'm sorry to tell you that I can do nothing more for you because the situation is now out of my hands. (a) outside my sense (b) outside my feelings (c) outside my control (d) outside my belief Q10 I'm awfully sorry but I I'll have to ask you to pay because I'm out of cash. (a) I have no cheque (b) I have no money (c) I have no card (d) I have no bank © 2003—2006 www.english-test.net 7. elementary-7 English Idioms and Expressions / Elementary level # 7 All Agog Q1 Unfortunately the cooker overheated and then exploded and so it really wasn't long before the whole house was alight. (a) in light (b) on fire (c) with fire (d) with light Q2 After several days underground after the earthquake one child was pulled out alive. (a) still talking (b) still seeing (c) still trying (d) still living Q3 They found that there was no possibility of work in their own country so they decided to try their luck abroad. (a) in another place (b) in another town (c) in another country (d) in another city Q4 I must congratulate her on the way she has overcome all her problems and gone back to her old job to start anew. (a) beginning (b) once more (c) firstly (d) twice more Q5 I've looked everywhere for my passport and can only assume it has gone astray. (a) got freed (b) got taken (c) got missed (d) got lost Q6 When she told her parents that she had decided to get married, they were utterly taken aback. (a) surprised (b) returned (c) overturned (d) determined Q7 There are no two ways about it because the crime that has been committed is really akin to murder. (a) keen on (b) good to (c) similar to (d) different to Q8 So many good ideas abound in his mind, he finds it difficult to know where to start. (a) exist all over (b) exist in large numbers (c) exist in different parts (d) exist everywhere Q9 I spent ages fixing the nail in the wall to put the picture up and then I stood back and found it was askew. (a) not straight (b) not clear (c) not definite (d) not pretty Q10 We couldn't wait for them to come home after their holidays as we were all agog to hear what had happened. (a) very concerned (b) very prepared (c) very interested (d) very worried © 2003—2006 www.english-test.net 8. elementary-8 English Idioms and Expressions / Elementary level # 8 Preposition Exercises Q1 I'm sorry but that smells terrible because I'm afraid the meat is off. (a) has gone (b) is small (c) is bad (d) is dead Q2 She just left him, said she was through with him and disappeared. (a) didn't want to see him again (b) didn't want to help him (c) didn't want to hear him again (d) didn't want to please him Q3 I'm on for tonight if you want to go to the match. (a) I'm ready to help (b) I'm ready to cook (c) I'm ready to speak (d) I'm ready to go out Q4 He's always interested in elections and is very much into politics. (a) very concerned about (b) very worried about (c) very interested in (d) very happy about Q5 I believe that after all those arguments they agreed their marriage was over. (a) ended (b) finishing (c) ending (d) terminated Q6 Between you and me, so don't tell anyone, I'm sure he'll lose the election. (a) In truth (b) In confidence (c) In fact (d) In conclusion Q7 You won't have to wait too long because another bus will be along soon. (a) will drive (b) will travel (c) will arrive (d) will turn Q8 By the way did you manage to see that film last night? (a) Conveniently (b) Actually (c) Clearly (d) Incidentally Q9 It's quite clear to everyone that she's a socialist through and through. (a) from start to finish (b) from here till then (c) from this to that (d) from time to time Q10 I honestly don't think I can make it tonight as I'm feeling a little under the weather. (a) cold (b) wet (c) unwell (d) upset © 2003—2006 www.english-test.net 9. elementary-9 English Idioms and Expressions / Elementary level # 9 Animal Idioms Q1 His wife never lets him do what he wants and as a result he leads a dog's life. (a) easts what he can (b) never sleeps (c) has an unhappy time (d) goes everywhere on foot Q2 A word of warning: don't let him make a monkey of you. (a) make you jump up and down (b) make faces at you (c) make you spend your money (d) make a fool of you Q3 I would advise you to wait and see which way the cat jumps. (a) what develops (b) what goes (c) what comes (d) what falls Q4 I don't honestly think he is capable of being polite as the leopard never changes his spots. (a) people always complain (b) people sometimes differ (c) people never change (d) people often shout Q5 He's very greedy when it comes to eating and always takes the lion's share of the food. (a) last portion (b) smallest portion (c) first portion (d) largest portion Q6 I really don't know how to explain it as I am completely foxed. (a) absolutely sure (b) absolutely convinced (c) absolutely confused (d) absolutely curious Q7 Until he is more serious in his job and stops playing the goat, he won't get any more money. (a) arriving late all the time (b) eating too much all the time (c) making too much noise all the time (d) making jokes all the time Q8 He never makes any silly mistakes because he's got too much horse sense. (a) common sense (b) nonsense (c) absolute sense (d) full sense Q9 Charlie doesn't like getting too tired so he gets his assistant to do all the donkey work. (a) academic work (b) artwork (c) homework (d) hard work Q10 He doesn't really go around with many people because he's a bit of a lone wolf. (a) single person (b) lonely person (c) unhappy person (d) simple person © 2003—2006 www.english-test.net