Illustrated Everyday Expressions with Stories 2 – Lesson 27 MCQ Test

Lesson 27 – On a bus

Idioms

as a matter of fact = actually; in fact

Everything was going wrong that day. As a matter of fact, the day was about to get worse.
I know the man in the picture very well. As a matter of fact, he is my father.
I like animals. As a matter of fact, I own a pet store.

A: Have you seen Rachel?
B: Yes, I have. As a matter of fact, she’s waiting in your office.

at random = not in any order; without plan

The lottery numbers were picked at random.
The police stopped cars at random to check if the drivers had insurance.
We will choose a number at random, and the person with that number will win!

A: How did you get to be the captain of the team?
B: They just picked at random.

in favor of = support or approve of something

His parents are not in favor of his career choice.
Although I want to join the army, my parents are not in favor of it.
After the big test, we were all in favor of going out for a drink.

A: Why didn’t you vote for him?
B: Because he is in favor of raising taxes.

keep up = continue

Keep up the good work!
You’re doing a great job! Keep up the good work.
She wanted to keep up swimming every day, but she was too busy.

A: I am really nervous about the test.
B: Just keep up a positive attitude and you will do fine!

make a point of = do something deliberately

He made a point of explaining everything he knew about the subject in class.
He made a point of telling everyone he studied at Harvard.
We should make a point of bringing this problem up at the next meeting.

A: I think that Harry is mad at us.
B: Yeah. He made a point of not talking to us at lunch.

make room for = provide space for

Hey. Do you think we can make room for my friend?
We need to make room on the shelf for these books.
Can you make room in the trunk of your car for one more bag?

A: Can I ride with you?
B: Maybe we can make room if one person sits on someone’s lap.

on the spot = right there; immediately

He got caught with the stolen money, so he had to think of an excuse on the spot.
He got the job on the spot.
She had to think of an answer on the spot.

A: Where’s your dog?
B: A man offered me $500 for it, so I sold it to him on the spot!

sum up = in summary; finish in short

The last page of the report sums up all of the research.
He will sum up his speech with a joke.
To sum up, I would just like to congratulate the bride and groom and wish them many happy years together.

A: How was your trip to the desert?
B: I would sum up the experience by saying it was very hot!

waste one’s breath = say something of no use

Don’t waste your breath. I’ll never take you back!
She won’t go out with you. Don’t waste your breath asking her.
He explained the grammar rule over and over, but he was wasting his breath. They didn’t understand it.

A: I’m going to ask Dad if I can go to Rome with my girlfriend.
B: Don’t waste your breath.

you bet = Sure; Yes

Call me! You bet!
“Are you free tonight?” “You bet!”
“Would you like some more pizza?” “You bet!”

A: Do you want to see a movie?
B: You bet!

READ THE FOLLOWING STORY 

I had a hard time dating my wife when I was in high school. In fact, she didn’t want to have anything to do with me at first. She sat behind me in history class. The first time I saw her, I asked her out on the spot. But she turned me down.

I wasn’t discouraged, though. The next time I asked her to go out with me, she told me, “Get lost.” But I asked her the next day too. Then she said, “You’re wasting your breath. I’m not going to go out with you.” I even asked her friends to fix us up, but they all told me, “Forget it. She doesn’t want to date you.”

Although my friends were in favor of me quitting, I kept up my pursuit of her. At lunch, I made a point of trying to sit at the same table with her. If none of her friends made room for me, I tried to sit at the table behind her. Still, I had no luck.

Then one day, I fell asleep in class. The teacher was calling on students at random to answer questions, and he called on me while I was sleeping. My future wife noticed I was sleeping and tried to wake me up by shaking my shoulder. I must have jumped when she touched my shoulder because I fell out of my chair. Of course everyone laughed at me. I guess she must have felt a little sorry for me because after class, she told me, “I’m sorry I pushed you so hard. I guess I didn’t know my own strength!”

“No problem,” I replied. “As a matter of fact, I like strong women.”

She laughed and asked, “Do you want to go to the dance this weekend with me?”

Of course I said, “You bet!”

And, to sum up, we have been together ever since.