ELPT - English Language Proficiency Idiomatic Expressions in Context Questions and Answers

Question 1

Read the following dialogue:

Alex: 'I've sent the final proposal to the client.'
Maria: 'Great. Now the ball is in their court.'

What does Maria mean?

Accepted Answer

It is now the client's responsibility to take the next step.

Answer

The client needs to play a sport.

Answer

The client will probably lose the proposal.

Answer

They need to send the client a ball as a gift.

Question 2

After reviewing the team's analysis, the director said, 'You've really hit the nail on the head.' What did the director mean?

Accepted Answer

The analysis was precisely correct and identified the key issue.

Answer

The analysis was completely wrong.

Answer

The team needs to do more construction work.

Answer

The team's presentation was loud and painful.

Question 3

A student told her friend, 'I only visit my relatives in the countryside once in a blue moon.' How often does the student visit her relatives?

Accepted Answer

Very rarely.

Answer

Every time there is a blue-colored moon.

Answer

Very frequently.

Answer

Only when she feels sad.

Question 4

Which of the following sentences uses an idiomatic expression incorrectly?

Accepted Answer

The CEO said we'll get a raise when pigs fly, so we are expecting one soon.

Answer

He was so indecisive about the job offer; he was sitting on the fence for weeks.

Answer

I was trying to keep the party a secret, but my brother let the cat out of the bag.

Answer

The exam was a piece of cake; I finished it in twenty minutes.

Question 5

Scenario: A manager is discussing a new, challenging project with an employee. The manager says, 'I know this is a tough assignment, but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet.' What is the manager advising the employee to do?

Accepted Answer

Endure a difficult situation with courage.

Answer

Quit the project if it's too hard.

Answer

Eat something before starting the work.

Answer

Find a faster, easier way to complete the task.

Question 6

Read the following exchange:

Sarah: 'I can't believe I told Mark about the surprise party! It was supposed to be a secret.'
Tom: 'Well, you can't put the genie back in the bottle now.'

What does Tom's response imply?

Accepted Answer

What has been done cannot be undone.

Answer

Sarah should try to reverse what she did.

Answer

Sarah needs to find a real genie.

Answer

Mark will not come to the party now.