Fill in the Blanks Questions

Multiple choice
  1. embarrassing

  2. peculiar

  3. singular

  4. attitude

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

When you misunderstand customs of other countries, it creates social discomfort or awkwardness. 'Embarrassing' perfectly captures this feeling. 'Peculiar' means strange, 'singular' means unique or exceptional, and 'attitude' is a noun meaning mindset - none fit the emotional context.

Multiple choice
  1. thankfulness

  2. gratitude

  3. gratefulness

  4. thanking

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

When expressing thanks for help received, 'gratitude' is the most appropriate and formal term. 'Thankfulness' and 'gratefulness' are related but less commonly used in this structure, and 'thanking' is a verb form that doesn't fit grammatically.

Multiple choice
  1. obvious

  2. definite

  3. sure

  4. clear

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase 'make sure' is a standard English idiom meaning to ensure or verify that something happens. In the context of checking answers carefully, 'sure' is the correct word to complete this common expression. 'Make definite' and 'make obvious' are not standard collocations.

Multiple choice
  1. ovation

  2. applause

  3. cheering

  4. support

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A 'standing ovation' is the standard term for when an audience stands to applaud a performance or speech. While 'applause' and 'cheering' are related concepts, they don't complete the specific idiomatic phrase 'standing ovation'. 'Support' is too general in this context.

Multiple choice
  1. oversee

  2. overtake

  3. overdo

  4. overlook

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

'Overlook' means to ignore, excuse, or forgive something - typically a mistake or fault. In this context, the boss chose to ignore/excuse the worker's mistake rather than criticize it. 'Oversee' means to supervise, 'overtake' means to pass or surpass, and 'overdo' means to do something excessively - none of which fit the forgiving context.

Multiple choice
  1. afford

  2. spend

  3. expend

  4. calculate

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

'Afford the cost' means having enough money or resources to pay for something. This is the standard expression when discussing whether someone can financially manage travel or other expenses. 'Spend' and 'expend' refer to using money but don't capture the sense of capability or means. 'Calculate' doesn't fit the meaning.

Multiple choice
  1. votes

  2. figures

  3. numbers

  4. polls

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

'Opinion polls' is the standard term for surveys that measure public opinion on political or social issues. Politicians and media routinely reference opinion polls to understand public sentiment. 'Votes', 'figures', and 'numbers' are too general and don't form the specific compound noun 'opinion polls'.

Multiple choice
  1. off

  2. through

  3. out

  4. over

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

'Paid off' means to pay someone in full for work completed, typically when a project or job is finished. This phrasal verb is commonly used when workers complete a construction job or other project. 'Paid through', 'paid out', and 'paid over' don't capture the sense of final payment for completed work.

Multiple choice
  1. top

  2. big

  3. main

  4. head

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The question refers to 'headlines' - the main titles or headings in newspapers that summarize stories. While the standard term is 'headlines' (one word), in this fill-in-the-blank format, 'head' is intended to complete the expression, as it's the only option that relates to newspaper headings. 'Top', 'big', and 'main' don't form the correct newspaper terminology.

Multiple choice
  1. quick

  2. briefly

  3. short

  4. shortly

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

'In short' is a standard idiom meaning 'briefly' or 'in summary'. It's used to indicate that you're stating something concisely. 'In briefly' and 'In shortly' are not standard English expressions, while 'In short' is the correct idiomatic phrase used to introduce a summary or brief statement.

Multiple choice
  1. influence

  2. persuade

  3. encourage

  4. impress

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

'Persuade' means to convince someone to do something through reasoning or argument. The context suggests convincing a native speaker to help with language learning. 'Influence' is too general, 'encourage' is weaker than persuade, and 'impress' means to create admiration rather than convince someone to take action.

Multiple choice
  1. idiomatic

  2. automatic

  3. axiomatic

  4. dogmatic

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

'Idiomatic language' refers to expressions that are natural to native speakers and don't follow literal meaning - exactly what students need to learn from real-world materials like newspapers. 'Automatic', 'axiomatic' (self-evident), and 'dogmatic' (relating to rigid doctrine) don't relate to natural language usage.

Multiple choice
  1. hold

  2. take

  3. hear

  4. repeat

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In language learning exercises, students are often asked to 'repeat' what they hear to practice pronunciation and intonation. The context of playing a tape back suggests a listen-and-repeat exercise. 'Hold', 'take', and 'hear' don't convey the active practice aspect of repeating spoken language.

Multiple choice
  1. test

  2. probe

  3. investigate

  4. interpret

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

'Test' means to examine knowledge or skills - exactly what educational exercises are designed to do. In the context of grammar and vocabulary exercises, the purpose is to assess or evaluate what students have learned. 'Probe' and 'investigate' are more scientific terms for inquiry, while 'interpret' means to explain meaning rather than assess knowledge.