Idioms
What does "piece of cake" mean?
Something easy
Is this spelling British or American?
color, center, analyze
American
British spelling is: coloUr, centRE, analySe
Name one American state beginning with “A”
Alabama / Alaska / Arizona / Arkansas
“I stopped ______ (smoke).” (meaning: quit the habit)
👉 Answer: smoking
This two-word phrasal verb means to discover information or to find a solution, often used in research contexts (e.g., "I need to _______ the answer to this question.").
What is find out?
What does "spill the beans" mean?
To reveal a secret
"Biscuit" is a British word. What's the American word for biscuit?
Cookie
What food is traditionally eaten at American Thanksgiving?
Turkey
400
“I want ______ (learn) English fluently.”
👉 Answer: to learn
In academic writing, it is often recommended to replace this three-word phrasal verb meaning "to submit" (like an essay) with a more formal single-word verb.
What is hand in? (Accept: "turn in"; formal equivalent: "submit")
What does "once in a blue moon" mean?
Very rarely
"Movie" is an American word. What's the British word?
Film
What’s the capital of Australia?
Canberra
“He avoided ______ (talk) to his boss.”
👉 Answer: talking
This phrasal verb means to meet or find something unexpectedly or to calculate a total. It is separable and commonly used in math and research contexts.
What is come up with? (Note: If the student says "come across" for the unexpected meeting meaning, that is partially correct; however, "come up with" fits both the calculation and the ideation context typical of EAP. Adjust scoring accordingly.)
If you can speak a language but not perfectly, you might say you have a working _______ of it.
What is knowledge? (Accept: "command")
"Burned, dreamed, learned" are verbs in past tense with an American spelling. How does the British spelling look like?
Burnt, dreamt, learnt
Which university is older: Oxford or Harvard?
Oxford (1096)
200
“She decided ______ (study) abroad.”
👉 Answer: to study
These two phrasal verbs have opposite meanings related to starting and stopping a habit or activity. One means to begin doing something regularly (like a new exercise routine), while the other means to stop doing something completely (like a bad habit).
What are take up and give up?
This idiom describes a situation where a non-native speaker is forced to communicate in a language they are still learning, often leading to quick improvement. (Hint: Think of deep water.)
What is to be thrown in at the deep end?
Which spelling is British and which is American?
Aluminium X Aluminum
British - Aluminium
American - Aluminum
What's the official language of the United States?
English (since March 1st, 2025)
Name three verbs that must be followed by an infinitive (e.g., "I want to go") and three verbs that must be followed by a gerund (e.g., "I avoid going").
What are (any of) want, need, hope, decide, agree, refuse, expect, learn, promise, offer for infinitives; and (any of) avoid, enjoy, finish, mind, suggest, recommend, consider, deny, postpone, quit* for gerunds?
This phrasal verb presents a challenge for EAP students because it has multiple distinct meanings: 1) to postpone, 2) to create or invent (often a story or excuse), and 3) to tolerate or endure something unpleasant. Name the verb.
What is make up? (Meanings: make up a deadline = postpone; make up a story = invent; make up with someone = reconcile; "I can't make up the noise" = tolerate/endure—though this last usage is more informal/British English.)