
This is another worksheet designed to help introduce students to typical expressions that are tested in part 4 of the reading and use of English paper. Download the handout below:
Use this Quizizz game for space repetition of the expressions: https://quizizz.com/admin/quiz/616ed396bccf36001d65cf8e
Version 1
Read the sentences and guess the meaning of the underlined expression with your partner:
- As far as we can tell, the accident was caused by human error.
Meaning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- Could you keep an eye on my bag while I go to the toilet?
Meaning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- The teacher turned a blind eye to the students who were whispering at the back of the class.
Meaning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- I need to brush up on my German before my trip to Berlin next month.
Meaning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- I’m on holiday next week but please keep me in the picture about how the project is going.
Meaning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- She can’t have been pleased to see her ex-boyfriend sitting at the bar when she came in.
Meaning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- Steve hardly ever gets to work on time.
Meaning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- I didn’t recognise the number that was calling me but it turned out to be my brother on his new phone.
Meaning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- In accordance with his last will and testament, the majority of his fortune was donated to charity.
Meaning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- Never before have I seen such a beautiful display of dance.
Meaning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- It took her a while to come to terms with the death of her parents.
Meaning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- If it hadn’t been for Charlie, I would still be working in that dead-end job.
Meaning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- Investigators are trying to piece together what happened after they lost contact with the pilot of the plane.
Meaning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- The match has been called off due to unforeseen circumstances.
Meaning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- Contrary to popular opinion, not all Mexican food is spicy.
Meaning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- Since getting promoted, I’ve struggled to get to grips with my new responsibilities.
Meaning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- Can you give me a lift to the airport in the morning?
Meaning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- His love of jazz music dates back to his visit to New Orleans 20 years ago.
Meaning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- We could meet at 9am Thursday morning, I hope that this suggestion meets with your approval.
Meaning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- His son’s failure to get into a good college was a source of great disappointment to him.
Meaning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- The president is widely expected to lose the upcoming election.
Meaning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- In all likelihood, there will be job losses at the company due to a drop in sales.
Version 2
Try to recall the expressions using the key word in brackets to help you.
- Based on the evidence we have we think the accident was caused by human error. (TELL)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
- Could you watch my bag while I go to the toilet? (EYE)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
- The teacher pretended not to see the students who were whispering at the back of the class. (EYE)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
- I need to refresh and revise my German before my trip to Berlin next month. (BRUSH)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
- I’m on holiday next week but please give me regular updates on how the project is going. (PICTURE)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
- She definitely wasn’t pleased to see her ex-boyfriend sitting at the bar when she came in. (HAVE)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
- Steve is almost always late for work. (HARDLY)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
- I didn’t recognise the number that was calling me but in the end it was my brother on his new phone. (TURNED)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
- Based on his last will and testament, the majority of his fortune was donated to charity. (ACCORDANCE)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
- It was the first time I had seen such a beautiful display of dance. (NEVER)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
- It took her a while to understand and accept the death of her parents. (TERMS)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
- Without Charlie, I would still be working in that dead-end job. (BEEN)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
- Investigators are trying to deduce what happened after they lost contact with the pilot of the plane. (PIECE)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
- The match has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. (CALLED)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
- Despite what most people think, not all Mexican food is spicy. (CONTRARY)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
- Since getting promoted, I’ve struggled to deal with/understand my new responsibilities. (GRIPS)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
- Can you drive me to the airport in the morning? (LIFT)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
- His love of jazz music started when he visited New Orleans 20 years ago. (DATES)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
- We could meet at 9am Thursday morning, I hope that this suggestion is acceptable to you. (MEETS)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
- His son’s failure to get into a good college was disappointing for him. (SOURCE)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
- Most people expect the president to lose the upcoming election. (WIDELY)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
- There will probably be job losses at the company due to a drop in sales. (LIKELIHOOD)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….