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Worksheets

Foreign-origin Words and Phrases

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 18mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

My older brother thinks he's the de facto leader of our video game team, even though I'm the one who created it. What does de facto mean in this sentence?

a)

In name only

b)

In effect or reality, though not officially

c)

By a vote of the team

d)

Temporarily

2.

Match each foreign phrase to its direct English meaning.

a)

pro bono

1.

For the public good (often for free professional work)

b)

carpe diem

2.

Seize the day

c)

bona fide

3.

In good faith; genuine

3.

Your friend accidentally spills juice on your new shoes and feels terrible. Which phrase is an appropriate way for them to say, 'It's my fault'?

a)

E pluribus unum

b)

Mea culpa

c)

Caveat emptor

d)

Quid pro quo

4.

Sort these phrases based on the social situation where they are most commonly used: Welcoming/Saying Goodbye, or Expressing an Idea/Concept.

Categorize the following

Ad hoc

Bon voyage

Status quo

Adieu

Welcoming/Saying Goodbye
Expressing an Idea/Concept
5.

Which foreign phrase is the best replacement for the English phrase 'the existing state of affairs'?

a)

modus operandi

b)

status quo

c)

carte blanche

d)

faux pas

6.

After the debate, the two candidates had a private, tete-a-tete conversation. What does tete-a-tete imply about the conversation?

a)

It was a heated argument in public.

b)

It involved many people listening in.

c)

It was a private conversation between two people.

d)

It was conducted over the phone.

7.

Match each social situation to the most fitting foreign phrase.

a)

Forgetting someone's name right after they told you.

1.

Faux pas

b)

A party invitation asking you to reply.

2.

RSVP (Répondez s'il vous plaît)

c)

Wishing a friend a good trip to France.

3.

Bon voyage

8.

As Maria walked into the old bookstore, she was overcome with a powerful sense of deja vu, even though she was certain she had never been there before. In the sentence, what does the phrase deja vu suggest about Maria's experience?

a)

She feels as if she has already lived through this exact moment.

b)

She is excited to explore a new and unfamiliar place.

c)

She has a sudden and complete loss of memory.

d)

She feels a sense of regret about visiting the store.

9.

Sort these common phrases by their language of origin: French or Latin.

Categorize the following

E pluribus unum

C'est la vie

Tempus fugit

Deja vu

Carte blanche

Ad nauseam

French
Latin
10.

The detective studied the criminal's modus operandi to predict his next move. What does modus operandi refer to?

a)

The criminal's reason for committing the crime.

b)

The criminal's list of partners.

c)

The criminal's particular way of doing things.

d)

The criminal's final confession.

11.

Match each foreign phrase to its common English equivalent or description.

a)

ad infinitum

1.

Endlessly; forever

b)

ipso facto

2.

By that very fact

c)

per se

3.

By or in itself

d)

vis-a-vis

4.

In relation to; concerning

12.

A lawyer agrees to represent a local community center for free because she supports their mission. This type of work is known as:

a)

pro bono

b)

quid pro quo

c)

ad hoc

d)

bona fide

13.

When buying a used car from a private seller, the advertisement stated the car was sold 'as-is' with no warranty. The seller reminded the buyer that it was their responsibility to have the car inspected by a mechanic before purchasing. Which Latin phrase best summarizes the principle the seller is advising the buyer to follow?

a)

E pluribus unum

b)

Carpe diem

c)

Caveat emptor

d)

Ad hoc

14.

Sort these phrases based on whether they generally describe something positive or something negative/a warning.

Categorize the following

Bona fide

Faux pas

Mea culpa

Joie de vivre

Positive
Negative/Warning
15.

In the sentence, 'I don't dislike video games per se, I just think we spend too much time playing them,' what is the speaker clarifying?

a)

That they have never played video games.

b)

That they hate video games in every way.

c)

That their dislike is not of the games themselves, but of the excessive time spent.

d)

That video games are fundamentally bad.