Resources: Notes on Life and Language in the United States

Welcome and thank you for visiting the English and Culture blog!

One of my goals for this blog is to help English students learn new English expressions and help them understand not only the meaning of the words but also how to use them in daily conversations at work, at home or in the community.

In English, we have a lot of expressions and idioms that don't seem logical just by looking at the meaning of the individual words.

Instead, you have to remember the phrases and practice using them at the right times. The best way to do that is to start by seeing what expressions you already know.

Try this eight question quiz on English expressions and idioms to see what you already know and what you still need to work on. Good luck!

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Try the Quiz!

1. I handed down my sweater to my younger brother

a) I gave my sweater to my younger brother

b) I took my sweater from my younger brother

c) I sold my sweater to my younger brother

2. To have time on your hands:

a) To be pressed for time, to not have enough time

b) To have a lot of extra time in your schedule

c) To wear a watch

3. To lend a hand

a) To wash the dishes with your hands

b) To applaud someone for a good performance, to clap your hands

c) To help with something

4. He is the fastest runner, hands down:

a) I think he might be the fastest runner but I'm not sure

b) He is the fastest runner without a doubt

c) He is the fastest runner but not by much

5. The teacher asked us to hand in our papers by 3pm

a) The teacher said we have to finish our papers by 3pm

b) The teacher asked us to give her our papers by 3pm

c) The teacher asked us to pass our papers to someone in the class at 3pm

6. The party is getting out of hand

a) The party is a lot of fun

b) The party is getting out of control

c) The party is going to end soon

7. The end is close at hand

a) We have a long way to go before we reach the end

b) Eventually we will reach the end

c) We are almost at the end

8. To try one's hand at something

a) To do something new for the first time

b) To give up and stop trying

c) To ask for help with something

Answer Key:

1) a  2) b  3) c  4) b  5) b  6) b  7) c  8) a

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