idioms

After going to the zoo, the mall, and the movies, Cassie was sick of bending over backwards to entertain her nieces.

• Cassie was doing very little to entertain her nieces.

• Cassie was making small efforts to entertain her nieces

• Cassie was trying very hard to entertain her nieces.

• Cassie was not trying at all to entertain her nieces

Answer explanation

bending over backwards : to try very hard to please someone or to do something. It can also mean to go to great lengths to help someone.

Bobby would have been playing ball until the cows came home if it hadn’t been for Suzie dragging him home for dinner.

• Bobby was just about to stop playing ball.

• Bobby didn’t even want to play ball to begin with.

• Bobby prefers nature to athletics.

• Bobby would have continued playing ball for a long time.

Answer explanation

until the cows came : for a very long time

You might think that Billy Parker is the kid who has everything, but if you saw the list of chores his parents give him, I guarantee that you wouldn’t want to be in his shoes.

• You wouldn’t want your shoes to get as dirty as Billy’s when he’s doing his chores.

• If you have to do as many chores as Billy, you’ll want a pair of comfortable shoes.

• Billy shoes are so uncomfortable that doing his chores is really unpleasant.

• Billy has so many chores to do that it is unpleasant to imagine doing them all.

Answer explanation

In someone's shoe : in someone else's situation or to understand how they feel.

Eric wanted to fix his cousin’s computer, but he was already having problems setting up his Aunt’s Wi-Fi network and he didn’t want to open a whole new can of worms.

• Eric was sick of spending his time helping his family.

• Eric wanted to go fishing instead of working on computers.

• Eric was having difficulties untangling the computer wires.

• Eric was not ready to begin working on a complicated new problem.

Answer explanation

open a whole new can of worms. : to start a difficult or unpleasant situation that is likely to cause problems.

Even though Candace already had a new job, she submitted her two-week notice and conducted herself in a professional way at her old job because she didn’t want to burn bridges.

• Candace didn’t want to ruin her positive relationship with her old employer.

• Candace wasn’t ready to start her new job.

• Candace was really going to miss her old job.

• Candace was waiting until her last day to rub it in everyone’s face that she was leaving.

Answer explanation

to burn bridges : means to destroy a relationship or connection in a way that makes it impossible to repair.

World renowned country western super group The Mountain Boys can sell out an arena at the drop of a hat.

• The Mountain Boys may be able to sell out an arena, but it will take a long time.

• The Mountain Boys can sell out an arena very quickly.

• The Mountain Boys are always willing to perform at charity events.

• The Mountain Boys enforce a dress code at all of their shows.

Answer explanation

at the drop of a hat. : immediately" or "without hesitation

Vivian expected Craig to sob uncontrollably when she broke up with him; however, Craig kept a stiff upper lip.

• Craig cried even more than Vivian had expected.

• Craig cried about as much as Vivian had expected.

• Craig cried a little less than Vivian had expected.

• Craig did not cry.

Answer explanation

kept a stiff upper lip : remain calm and in control

Mrs. Robinson expects Cassie and my presentation to be good, but we have been working on it every night for the last week, so we are really going to knock her socks off.

• Cassie and the speaker are not prepared to give a good presentation.

• Cassie and the speaker intend on hitting Mrs. Robinson rather than presenting.

• Cassie and the speaker’s presentation will far exceed Mrs. Robinson’s expectations.

• Cassie and the speaker’s presentation will meet Mrs. Robison’s expectations.

Answer explanation

knock her socks off. : impress someone very much. It is often used to describe something that is so good or exciting that it leaves someone speechless.

Over the summer Brian was really excited about being placed in the advanced math class, but after getting his syllabus on the first day and seeing the workload, he was ready to jump ship

• Brian was even more excited about the math class than he was over the summer.

• Brian wanted to start working on his math assignments right away.

• Brian did not want to be in the advance math class anymore.

• Brian wanted to cause some trouble in the advanced math class.

Answer explanation

jump ship : means to abandon something, especially a job or a cause

Brad was accusing us of stealing his phone until he found it, and now he’s trying to sweep it under the rug.

• Brad thinks that his phone will be safer if he hides it under the rug.

• Brad wants to do something to make up for his mistake.

• Brad is trying to locate a signal for his phone so that he can use it.

• Brad wants to pretend that the incident never happened.

Answer explanation

to sweep it under the rug. : means to hide or ignore a problem instead of dealing with it.