Read the following sentences and try to guess the meaning of the idioms.

1.       It was the residential areas of the town that took the brunt of the missile attacks.

a)      The residential areas were the worst hit
b)      The residential areas weren’t hit at all
c)       The residential areas as well as other parts of the town were hit

2.       If you take the bull by the horns

a)      You do something difficult in a determined and confident way
b)      You don’t  attempt anything difficult at all
c)       When you fight with a bull you take it by the horns

3. Alice took it on the chin, although she and her teammates were heavily criticized.

a)      Alice was brave and didn’t complain when she was criticized
b)      Alice was very upset when she was criticized
c)       Alice was upset, but her teammates weren’t

4.       Exporting cars to Detroit is a bit like exporting coals to Newcastle

a)      Detroit is known for its coal mines
b)      Newcastle is known for its coal mines and Detroit is known for its automobile industry
c)       Newcastle doesn’t have any coal mines

5.       He didn’t pass his TOEFL test but he plans to have another crack at it next year.

a)      He will attempt the test again next year because he is certain that he will succeed
b)      He will attempt the test again although he is not certain that he will succeed
c)       He will not attempt the test again

Answers

1.       The residential areas were the worst hit

2.       You do something difficult in a determined and confident way

3.       Alice was brave and didn’t complain when she was criticized

4.       Newcastle is known for its coal mines and Detroit is known for its automobile industry

5.       He will attempt the test again although he is not certain that he will succeed