Foreign-origin Words and Phrases

Which phrase, originally from French, means 'please respond' and is often seen on invitations?

• Bon voyage

• Déjà vu

• RSVP

• Faux pas

Answer explanation

RSVP is an abbreviation for the French phrase 'Répondez s'il vous plaît,' which means 'please respond.' It's a request for guests to confirm their attendance.

Match each foreign phrase to its common English meaning.

• Have a good trip

• Bon voyage

• Seize the day

• C'est la vie

• Genuine or in good faith

• Carpe diem

• That's life

• Bona fide

Answer explanation

Each phrase is matched with its direct English translation or meaning. 'Carpe diem' is Latin for 'seize the day,' 'Bon voyage' is French for 'have a good trip,' 'Bona fide' is Latin for 'in good faith,' and 'C'est la vie' is French for 'that's life'.

When Maria walked into the old library, she felt a strange sense of déjà vu. What was she experiencing?

• A feeling of having been there before

• A sudden fear of books

• A desire to leave immediately

• A moment of complete confusion

Answer explanation

Déjà vu is a French phrase that describes the uncanny feeling that one has lived through the present situation before.

Sort these phrases based on their typical use: Phrases for Food & Dining or Phrases for Places.

Groups:

(a) Phrases for Food & Dining

,

(b) Phrases for Places

• Rendezvous

• Cul-de-sac

• À la mode

• À la carte

Answer explanation

'À la carte' and 'à la mode' are used when ordering food, while 'cul-de-sac' (a dead-end street) and 'rendezvous' (a meeting spot) refer to places.

Accidentally calling your teacher 'Mom' in front of the whole class would be considered a faux pas. What is a faux pas?

• A clever joke

• An embarrassing social mistake

• A moment of bravery

• A thoughtful comment

Answer explanation

A 'faux pas' is a French term for a significant or embarrassing blunder in a social situation. The other options describe positive or neutral actions.

Match each Latin phrase to its definition.

• Word for word

• Et cetera

• And other similar things

• Status quo

• The existing state of affairs

• Pro bono

• Done for the public good without payment

• Verbatim

Answer explanation

Each Latin phrase is correctly paired with its English definition. 'Verbatim' means word for word, 'status quo' is the current situation, 'pro bono' is work done for free, and 'et cetera' (etc.) means 'and so on'.

The team didn't want to change their successful game plan; they preferred to maintain the status quo. What does status quo mean?

• The team captain

• The final score

• The existing situation

• A new strategy

Answer explanation

The phrase 'status quo' is Latin for 'the existing state of affairs.' The context shows the team wanted to keep things as they were.

Sort these words and phrases by their language of origin: From Spanish or From French.

Groups:

(a) From Spanish

,

(b) From French

• Encore

• Piñata

• Rendezvous

• Siesta

• En masse

Answer explanation

'Siesta' and 'piñata' are words that entered English from Spanish. 'Encore,' 'rendezvous,' and 'en masse' are from French.

Which phrase means 'word for word' and is used to describe an exact quote?

• Bona fide

• Pro bono

• Verbatim

• Déjà vu

Answer explanation

'Verbatim' is a Latin term that means to repeat something in exactly the same words. The other options have different meanings.

Match each phrase to the situation where it would most likely be used.

• Shouted by an audience after a great performance

• Encore!

• Said to a friend when they are leaving

• Adios!

• Said to someone before they start eating

• Bon appétit!

Answer explanation

'Encore!' is used to request another performance. 'Bon appétit!' is said to wish someone an enjoyable meal. 'Adios' is a Spanish farewell.