Lesson 4: Netherlandish Proverbs (Pieter Bruegel the Elder)

Question 1

“A picture is worth a thousand words” is a well-known English __________.

(A short, common saying.)

Answer 1

proverb

(or maxim)

Question 2

Tiramisu is a very __________ dessert; I only eat it once a year.

(Strong, full of flavour)

Answer 2

rich

Question 3

There were many __________ moments during the trip, like when a seagull stole my sandwich.

(Funny, humorous.)

Answer 3

comic

Question 4

It’s sheer __________ to keep burning oil and coal when solar and wind power are so cheap.

(Stupid, crazy, pointless.)

Answer 4

folly

Question 5

Charlie Chaplin’s film “The Great Dictator” is a __________ about Hitler.

(Making fun of something to show that it is stupid.)

Answer 5

satire

Question 6

Great artists can find __________ in anything.

(Something that gives you ideas, makes you want to create.)

Answer 6

inspiration

Question 7

Van Gogh painted landscapes with great __________; the colours seem to jump off the canvas.

(In a lively, exciting way.)

Answer 7

verve

Question 8

Betty is a terrible __________. Don’t tell her anything unless you want the whole town to know!

(Someone who talks a lot about other people.)

Answer 8

gossip

Question 9

Richard Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg” is the longest opera in the __________. It lasts over five hours!

(The works that artists and musicians often perform.)

Answer 9

repertoire

Question 10

Michelangelo and Raphael are two famous painters from the Italian __________.

(The early modern period in Europe, around the 15th century.)

Answer 10

Renaissance

Question 11

In the book “Frankenstein,” the monster frightens the local people because of his __________ appearance.

(Very ugly, deformed.)

Answer 11

grotesque

Question 12

Poor customer service ruined the company’s __________.

(What everybody thinks about a person, company, etc.)

Answer 12

reputation

Question 13

I kept a __________ __________ when I told Mary we hadn’t planned a birthday party for her, but I don’t think she believed me.

(Hiding your feelings, for example, when you have to lie or you want to laugh.)

Answer 13

straight face

Question 14

I’ve been working on this essay for weeks, but it feels like I’m __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________.

(Not making any progress.)

Answer 14

banging my head against the wall

Question 15

I tried to move the desk but it was __________; it was just too heavy.

(Impossible to do.)

Answer 15

futile

Question 16

Politicians often use lies and __________ to get people to vote for them.

(Tricks, dishonesty.)

Answer 16

deceit

Question 17

I know you missed the deadline, but __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ ; it’s already over.

(仕様がない, it can’t be helped so there’s no use getting upset)

Answer 17

there’s no use crying over spilled milk

Question 18

“Jokes about German sausages are the wurst.”

(wurst = sausage / worst = bad)

(Dad jokes that use word-play.)

Answer 18

pun

Question 19

I’m working three jobs but I __________ __________ __________ __________ __________.

(Can’t make enough money to live.)

Answer 19

still can’t make ends meet

Question 20

When I listen to music, I’m __________ to everything going on around me.

(Unaware, unconscious.)

Answer 20

oblivious