A-B Jeopardy

Idioms

100

If someone "has a heart of gold" - what does this mean

someone who is exceptionally kind, generous, and compassionate.

200

If someone is "under the weather" - what does that mean. 

feeling ill or not well. 

300

We say - "Break a leg!" instead of what? 

Good luck!

400

If something is "a piece of cake" - what does that mean? 

It's something very easy to do. 

500

"You can't have your cake and eat it too" - what does this mean?

"He wants his cake and to eat it too". 

• Definition: The idiom describes a situation where a person expects to have or do two good things that cannot logically exist together.
• Literal Meaning: Once a cake is eaten, it is gone; you cannot still possess it.
• Usage: It is often used to criticize someone for being greedy, unrealistic, or unwilling to make a necessary compromise.
• Context: It frequently applies to relationships (e.g., wanting a committed partner while maintaining freedom) or situations involving time/money tradeoffs.

The phrase is usually phrased as "You can't have your cake and eat it too," highlighting the impossibility of the situation. 

Synonym

100

Give the synonym of: 

"Shiny"

Bright, sparkly, etc. 

200

Give the synonyms of: 

"Calm"

Peaceful, quiet, tranquil

300

Give the synonym and antonym of:

"Safe"

Peaceful, Secure 

Dangerous, unsafe

400

Give the antonym for: 

"Wild"

Domestic, tame

500

Give two synonyms for:

"Violent"

Rough, brutal, aggressive, savage, vicious

Facts

100

To which language family does English belong to? 

1. Romance (French, Spanish etc.)

2. Germanic (German, Norwegian, Dutch)

3. Celtic (Irish Gaelic, Brittany, Scottish Gaelic)

Germanic

200

What is the world's most spoken language by total speakers?

English

300

Which language is responsible for over 60% of everyday common spoken English vocabulary: 

1. Latin

2. German

3. French

4. Greek

French

400

What is the world's most spoken language by native speakers?

Mandarin

500

As of 2026, in how many countries is English an official language? 

1. 16

2. 35

3. 71

4. 58

58

True or false?

100

True or False?

If you spell out numbers, you will not use the letter "b" until you reach one billion.

True

200

TRUE OR FALSE?

The letter "e" is so common that it appears in 25% of all English words.

FALSE: 

The letter "e" occurs in only 11%, but is still the most used letter. 

300

TRUE OR FALSE?
The word "butterfly" was originally called "flutterby"

True

400

TRUE OR FALSE?

The United States of America does not have an official federal language. 

False

As of March 1st, 2025, English IS the official federal language. 

500

TRUE OR FALSE?

William Shakespeare is credited with inventing less than 1,700 words.

FALSE: 

William Shakespeare is credited with inventing over 1,700 words - such as "assassin", "lonely", "eyeball". 

Wild Card

100

Who is the current King of Britain?

Charles III

200

Which language is considered older - French or English?

English due to Old English. 

300

"Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him". 

Name the author.

William Shakespeare

400

How do you pronounce "GHOTI"?

Fish

500

Who wrote "Paradise Lost"?

John Milton