Idioms & Expressions
This idiom means to talk proudly and annoyingly about your own talents or achievements.
Blow your own trumpet
Give the noun form of the verb abandon.
Abandonment
Complete: "a _____ job" — one that is reliable and provides regular income.
Steady
This word describes someone you know but who is not a close friend.
Acquaintance
Use the word bold in a sentence describing a risky decision made by a company or person.
E.g., "It was a bold decision to leave a stable career and start her own business from scratch."
This idiom means to end a romantic relationship with someone.
Break up with someone
Give the adjective form of the noun affection.
Affectionate
Complete: "a _____ of choice" — meaning something is not forced but decided freely.
Matter. "A matter of choice"
This compound noun describes accommodation that includes both a place to sleep and meals.
Board and lodging
Use a lack of in a sentence to describe a problem in education or the workplace.
E.g., "A lack of funding has made it impossible for many schools to provide adequate resources."
This idiom means to deeply hurt someone emotionally, usually in a romantic situation.
Break someone's heart
Give the noun form of the verb adapt. Then give an example of how it is used in film or literature.
Adaptation. E.g., "The film is an adaptation of a bestselling novel."
Complete: "a _____ into another culture" — something that gives you deep insight into how other people live.
Window. "A window into another culture"
This noun describes a sudden, clever idea that solves a problem nobody else could figure out.
Brainwave
Use affected (by) and absence in the same sentence about someone's personal or professional life.
E.g., "Her performance at work was deeply affected by the prolonged absence of her mentor."
This expression describes something that is very difficult to achieve and requires enormous effort.
A tall order
Give THREE forms of the word acquire — the verb, noun, and adjective.
Verb: acquire. Noun: acquisition. Adjective: acquired. E.g., "an acquired taste"
Complete: "bring _____ a revolution" — to cause a massive and lasting change in something.
About. "Bring about a revolution"
This adjective describes someone who is completely focused on an activity, unaware of everything around them. It is followed by the preposition "in."
Absorbed (in)
Use a means of and a window into another culture in the same sentence about language learning.
E.g., "Language is not only a means of communication — it is also a window into another culture."
This idiom describes succeeding despite having very little chance of doing so.
Against all odds
Give the adverb form of adequate AND give one positive and one negative adverb that commonly precedes it.
Adequately. Positive: perfectly / entirely adequate. Negative: barely adequate.
Complete ALL THREE: "in the _____ of evidence," "a _____ of skills," "a _____ few people were invited."
Absence / range / select
This noun refers to the permanent desertion of a person, place, or responsibility. It is also the noun form of a verb meaning to leave something behind forever.
Abandonment
Write two sentences. Use boast in one and admirable in the other, in the context of sport or personal achievement. The two sentences must be connected in meaning.
E.g., "She never liked to boast about her medals, even after winning three national championships. That quiet confidence was what made her truly admirable."