IDIOMS AND COLLOQUIALISMS 1 (Check your vocabulary for TOEFL)

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Check your vocabulary for TOEFL

IDIOMS AND COLLOQUIALISMS 1

Idioms and colloquialisms (spoken expressions) are a common feature of the TOEFL Listening
Comprehension. There are a lot of them, and each one has to be learnt individually. Often, but not always, it is possible to identify the meaning of an idiom or a colloquialism from the context in which it is being used.

The idioms and colloquialisms exercises in this book focus on some of the most commonly-used
expressions.
Exercise 1

Complete the dialogs with an expression from the box.

I couldn't agree more.   I couldn't care less.   I really don't mind. It's up to you. It does nothing for me.   Let me sleep on it.   Never mind.  It can't be helped. No way! Not a chance!   You've got to be kidding!   Why not? Go for it! Wow! Way to go!   You should really get a life.   You're welcome, but it was nothing really.

1	A. Shall we eat out or do you want me to cook something? B. _____________________________________ A. OK. In that case, let's eat out.
2	A. The economics seminar has been canceled yet again. B. _____________________________________ A. I'm afraid not. Professor Parkhill sure seems to be absent a lot these days.
3	A. Our history lessons are really boring, aren't they. B. _____________________________________ A. Right. Perhaps we shouldn't have chosen it as an option.
4	A. We're going to Mo's bar tonight. Want to come? B. _____________________________________ A. Come on, don't be like that! It'll be fun!
5	A. I need a decision as soon as possible. B. _____________________________________ A. Well, to be honest, I'd rather you told me now.
6	A. Are you interested in science? B. _____________________________________ A. Me neither. I find it really boring.
7	A. I spent most of the weekend lying in bed and watching TV. B. _____________________________________ A. I know! You're not the first person to say that.
8	A. If you don't work harder, you'll fail your exams. B. _____________________________________ A. Well, you should. Your whole future might depend on them.
9	A. I've passed all my exams – grade A's all round! B. _____________________________________ A. Thanks. I never thought I'd be able to do it.
10	A. Do you think I should apply to the University of West Virginia? B. _____________________________________ A. All right, I will. Thanks.
11	A. Thank you so much for all your help. I couldn't have done it without you. B. _____________________________________ A. No, really, I really appreciate it.
12	A. I'm really sorry that I lost your dictionary. B. _____________________________________ A. Nevertheless, I promise to replace it.

Exercise 2

Instructions as above

Let me lend a hand.   How's it going?   How should I know? I'm a bit tied up for the time being.   I'm going to give it all I've got.   Is it any wonder? Oh, I'm used to it.   Sure. Why not?   What a drag!   What do you have in mind? You bet!   You're out of luck.

1	A. Can I have a look at your essay to get a few ideas? B. _____________________________________ A. Thanks. I'll do the same for you next time.
2	A. I'm working really hard for my exam at the moment. B. _____________________________________ A. Oh, not bad. I'm fairly confident of passing.
3	A. Where's Murai today? B. _____________________________________ A. Don't be like that. I was only asking.
4	A. We need to finish this assignment by Monday. There goes our weekend. B. _____________________________________ A. I know, but we'll make up for it next weekend.
5	A. Want to come to the concert tonight? B . _____________________________________ A. That's great. I'll go and get us some tickets.
6	A. Do you think you'll pass your exams? B. _____________________________________ A. That's the spirit! Well, good luck.
7	A. Do you find it difficult getting up at 6 o'clock every morning? B. _____________________________________ A. I suppose you must be. You've been doing it for so long.
8	A. We're thinking of doing something to celebrate the end of the semester. B. _____________________________________ A. I'm not sure, really. Perhaps a barbecue, or something like that.
9	A. Are there any tickets left for tonight's show? B. _____________________________________ A. I thought so. Oh well, never mind.
10	A. I have to get the hall ready for tonight's lecture. B. _____________________________________ A. That's really kind of you.
11	A. I was wondering if you could help me with my assignment. B. _____________________________________ A. Yes, I thought you might be a bit busy right now.
12	A. Poor Sarah failed to get a good grade in her TOEFL once again. B. _____________________________________ A. Right. She never seems to do any preparation for it.

ANSWER KEY

Exercise 1 1. I really don't mind. It's up to you. 2. You've got to be kidding! 3. I couldn't agree more. 4. No way! Not a chance! or You've got to be kidding! 5. Let me sleep on it. 6. It does nothing for me. 7. You really should get a life or You've got to be kidding! 8. I couldn't care less. 9. Wow! Way to go! 10. Why not? Go for it! 11. You're welcome, but it was nothing really. 12. Never mind. It can't be helped. Exercise 2 1. Sure. Why not? or You bet! 2. How's it going? 3. How should I know? 4. What a drag! 5. You bet! 6. I'm going to give it all I've got. 7. Oh, I'm used to it. 8. What do you have in mind? 9. You're out of luck. 10. Let me lend a hand. 11. I'm a bit tied up for the time being. 12. Is it any wonder?