pop quiz on the lessons connected with presentations

A test for an Advanced Level ESL group

1. POP QUIZ
Fill in the blanks:
wiggle room, push came to shove, purview, eerie, rapport, flounder, thinking on your feet,
to pace, throw in the towel, nature reserve, oi, a stitch in time saves nine, tar, put to a vote,
collateral, run, commended, divulge, buy-in, stellar, pointer, cut to the chase, game plan
1.“If you fix that leak now, you’ll save yourself a fortune later—remember, __________ (acting
early prevents bigger problems).”
2.If you want to make major changes you need __________ from everyone in the organization.
(commitment or agreement).
3.The bank demanded his house as __________ (security for repayment) before approving the
loan.
4.The teacher __________ (praised formally) her students for their innovative presentations.
5.We don’t have time for small talk—let’s __________ (get to the main point quickly).
6.The journalist refused to __________ (reveal private information) the source of her article.
7.There was something distinctly __________ (strange and frightening) about the abandoned
house.
8.Without proper guidance, the interns began to __________ (struggle helplessly) on their tasks.
9.What’s our __________ (strategy) if the negotiations fail tomorrow?
10.The government has declared the forest a __________ (protected area for wildlife).
11.“__________ (exclamation to grab attention)! You dropped your wallet!”
12.The manager gave us a useful __________ (helpful tip) on how to speed up data entry.
13.Environmental policy falls outside the mayor’s __________ (scope of responsibility).
14.The therapist built a strong __________ (close and harmonious relationship) with me.
15.I’d like to __________ (present an idea for feedback) this proposal by you before the meeting.
16.The play received __________ (outstanding) reviews from critics.
17.Be careful! There’s __________ (black, thick, sticky substance) all over the road from the
construction site.
18.Being a parent means __________ and adapting as you go along (making good decisions and
achieving things without having to think about them or plan them first).
19.After several failed attempts to save the company, the CEO decided to __________ (give up).
20.She couldn’t sit still during the call and began __________ (walking back and forth anxiously).
21.He seemed hesitant at first, but when __________ (the situation became serious), he supported
his team.
22.We don’t have much __________ (flexibility to adjust) in the budget this year.

2. Key
1.a stitch in time saves nine
2.buy-in
3.collateral
4.commended
5.cut to the chase
6.divulge
7.eerie
8.flounder
9.game plan
10.nature reserve
11.oi
12.pointer
13.purview
14.rapport
15.run something by someone
16.stellar
17.tar
18.think on our feet
19.throw in the towel
20.to pace
21.push came to shove
22.wiggle room