ALCPT - American Language Course Placement Idiomatic and Phrasal Expressions Questions and Answers

Question 1

A student is struggling with a new concept. The teacher says, "Don't worry, we'll go over it again. I don't want you to be at sea." What does the teacher mean by "at sea"?

Accepted Answer

Confused and lost

Answer

On a boat trip

Answer

Near the ocean

Answer

In a difficult situation

Question 2

Which of the following sentences correctly uses the phrasal verb "to look up to"?

Accepted Answer

Many children look up to professional athletes.

Answer

I need to look up to the word in the dictionary.

Answer

Look up to! There's a bird in the tree.

Answer

Things are starting to look up to for our company.

Question 3

The soldier had to carry out the commander's orders without question. In this sentence, the phrasal verb "carry out" means to:

Accepted Answer

execute or perform

Answer

lift and take something outside

Answer

explain in detail

Answer

cancel or stop

Question 4

Your friend tells you, "I think I bit off more than I could chew by taking five advanced classes this semester." What does your friend mean?

Accepted Answer

They tried to do something that is too difficult for them.

Answer

They ate too much food in the cafeteria.

Answer

They are enjoying the challenge of their classes.

Answer

They hurt their mouth while eating.

Question 5

The expression "a blessing in disguise" refers to something that:

Accepted Answer

seems bad at first but results in something good

Answer

is a very obvious and wonderful gift

Answer

causes a lot of unexpected trouble

Answer

is given secretly to someone in need

Question 6

After the long meeting, the manager wanted to 'get down to brass tacks'. This means she wanted to:

Accepted Answer

start discussing the most important, practical details

Answer

end the meeting and go home

Answer

go find some metal construction materials

Answer

review the minutes from the previous meeting