Module 8

Question 1

Come across

Answer 1

Meet or find by chance

1. I came across an old friend at the mall.
2. She came across some interesting books in the library.
3. We came across a beautiful hidden beach during our trip.

Question 2

Crack a joke

Answer 2

To tell a joke

1. He cracked a joke to lighten the mood.
2. She always cracks jokes during meetings.
3. The comedian cracked jokes all night.

Question 3

To be aware of

Answer 3

To have the knowledge or perception, to be well informed of something

1. Are you aware of the new company policy?
2. She was not aware of the changes in schedule.
3. We need to be aware of our surroundings.

Question 4

To go on

Answer 4

Happen

1. What’s going on here?
2. The party went on until midnight.
3. The meeting is still going on.

Question 5

Look after

Answer 5

To take care of someone or something

1. She looks after her elderly parents.
2. Can you look after my plants while I’m away?
3. The nanny looks after the children.

Question 6

Look out for

Answer 6

To take care of someone and make sure he or she is ok

1. Please look out for your younger sister.
2. We need to look out for each other.
3. The lifeguard looks out for swimmers.

Question 7

Tiniest

Answer 7

The smallest

1. Even the tiniest detail matters.
2. She lives in the tiniest apartment.
3. The tiniest flower in the garden.

Question 8

Nosy

Answer 8

Quality of a person who wants to know about everything happening to others’ lives

1. The nosy neighbor always asks personal questions.
2. Don’t be so nosy about their relationship.
3. My nosy coworker reads everyone’s emails.

Question 9

To cherish

Answer 9

To love something or someone very much

1. I cherish the memories of my childhood.
2. She cherishes her grandmother’s ring.
3. We cherish every moment together.

Question 10

Overbearing

Answer 10

Quality of someone who tries to control people in an unpleasant way

1. His overbearing attitude drives people away.
2. The overbearing manager micromanages everything.
3. She has an overbearing mother-in-law.

Question 11

Weigh in

Answer 11

To add your advice or comments to something

1. The expert weighed in on the debate.
2. Everyone weighed in with their opinions.
3. Would you like to weigh in on this issue?

Question 12

Potluck party

Answer 12

A party where guests bring a meal to share

1. We’re hosting a potluck party this weekend.
2. Everyone brought delicious dishes to the potluck party.
3. The office potluck party is always fun.

Question 13

Gathering

Answer 13

A meeting, especially a social or festive one

1. The family gathering was wonderful.
2. We had a small gathering of friends.
3. It was an informal gathering of colleagues.

Question 14

To complain about

Answer 14

To express dissatisfaction with something

1. He always complains about the weather.
2. Students complained about the difficult exam.
3. Don’t complain about things you can’t change.

Question 15

Avoid

Answer 15

To keep away from doing something

1. I try to avoid rush hour traffic.
2. She avoids eating sugar.
3. Let’s avoid this topic at dinner.

Question 16

To gossip

Answer 16

To talk about other people’s lives, usually involving unverified details

1. They gossip about their neighbors all day.
2. Don’t gossip about your coworkers.
3. She loves to gossip during lunch breaks.

Question 17

Lack of

Answer 17

To be without something or deficient in something

1. The project failed due to lack of funding.
2. Lack of sleep affects performance.
3. There’s a lack of parking spaces downtown.

Question 18

Painful

Answer 18

Causing pain

1. The injury was very painful.
2. It was a painful goodbye.
3. She had a painful toothache.

Question 19

To be better off

Answer 19

To be in a more favorable situation

1. You’d be better off taking the train.
2. We’re better off waiting until tomorrow.
3. She’s better off without that job.