- Which sentence demonstrates incorrect usage in a comparative expression?
Answer: Her teaching approach is different than traditional methods used in most classrooms.
The correct answer is B because 'different than' is non-standard in formal writing; the correct construction is 'different from.' While 'different than' is sometimes used in informal speech, 'different from' is the preferred formal usage. Choice A correctly uses 'different from.' Choice C correctly uses 'differs from.' Choice D correctly uses 'differs from.'
- Identify the sentence with an error in standard phrasal expression.
Answer: We need to hone in on the specific issues affecting student performance outcomes.
The correct answer is D because 'hone in on' is incorrect; the proper idiom is 'home in on' (focus precisely on a target). 'Hone' means to sharpen or refine, while 'home' in this context means to move toward a target. Choice A correctly uses 'take into account.' Choice B correctly uses 'bring about.' Choice C correctly uses 'weed out.'
- Choose the sentence that uses the correct idiomatic expression.
Answer: The research team was composed of scientists and graduate students.
The correct answer is B. 'Composed of' is the correct idiomatic expression meaning 'made up of' or 'consisting of.' Choice A incorrectly uses 'comprised from' (comprise doesn't take 'from'), choice C uses 'constructed from' which is inappropriate for describing team membership, and choice D uses 'assembled from' which, while grammatically possible, is not the standard idiom for describing what constitutes a group.
- Which sentence contains an incorrect use of an idiomatic expression?
Answer: The student council plans to discuss about the new dress code policy.
The correct answer is A. The verb 'discuss' should not be followed by the preposition 'about.' The correct form is simply 'discuss the new dress code policy.' Choice B correctly uses 'compete against,' choice C correctly uses 'collaborate with,' and choice D correctly uses 'search for.'
- Which sentence demonstrates an incorrect use of an idiomatic expression?
Answer: The principal attributed the school's success with the dedication of faculty members.
The correct answer is C. The correct idiomatic expression is 'attributed the school's success to the dedication,' not 'attributed...with.' The verb 'attribute' requires the preposition 'to' when indicating the cause or source. Choices A, B, and D all use correct idiomatic expressions and prepositions.
- Which sentence contains an error in idiomatic expression?
Answer: The teacher was familiar to the new educational software program features.
The correct answer is C. The correct idiomatic expression is 'familiar with,' not 'familiar to.' Choice A correctly uses 'consistent with,' choice B correctly uses 'collaborate with,' and choice D uses correct standard usage throughout.
- Choose the sentence that demonstrates proper idiomatic expression usage.
Answer: The new policy will prevent students from using unauthorized materials during tests.
The correct answer is B. 'Prevent someone from doing something' is the correct idiomatic expression. Choice A incorrectly uses the infinitive 'to use' instead of 'from using,' while choices C and D use inappropriate prepositions with 'prevent.'
- Select the sentence with proper idiomatic usage.
Answer: The teacher was capable of handling multiple classroom management challenges simultaneously.
The correct answer is B. 'Capable of' is the correct idiomatic expression meaning having the ability or skill to do something. Choices A, C, and D use incorrect prepositions with 'capable,' which must be followed by 'of.'
- Choose the sentence that demonstrates correct idiomatic usage.
Answer: The professor insisted on maintaining high academic standards for all students.
The correct answer is B. 'Insist on' is the correct idiomatic expression meaning to demand or require something firmly. Choices A, C, and D use incorrect prepositions with 'insist,' which requires 'on' when followed by a gerund or noun.
- Which sentence contains an error in idiomatic expression or word usage?
Answer: The new teacher was anxious to meet her students on the first day.
The correct answer is B. 'Anxious' means worried or uneasy, while 'eager' means enthusiastic or keen. The correct word should be 'eager to meet her students.' This is a common confusion between similar words. Choices A, C, and D all use correct idiomatic expressions and appropriate word choices.
- Which sentence uses an incorrect idiomatic expression?
Answer: We need to get our ducks in the row before presenting to the board.
The correct answer is D because 'get our ducks in the row' is incorrect; the proper idiom is 'get our ducks in a row,' meaning to organize or prepare everything properly. Choice A uses standard correct phrasing. Choice B correctly uses 'nip in the bud' (stop early). Choice C correctly uses 'around the clock' (continuously).
- Select the sentence that demonstrates incorrect usage of a common expression.
Answer: The committee decided to error on the side of caution regarding implementation.
The correct answer is C because 'error on the side of caution' is incorrect; the proper idiom is 'err on the side of caution,' using the verb 'err' (make a mistake) rather than the noun 'error.' Choice A correctly uses 'take precedence over.' Choice B uses standard correct phrasing. Choice D correctly uses 'expertise in' and standard phrasing.
- Which sentence contains an error in idiomatic expression or word usage?
Answer: The academic committee was consisting of faculty members from various departments.
The correct answer is D. 'Was consisting of' is incorrect because 'consist' is a stative verb that doesn't take the progressive form. The correct form would be 'consisted of.' Choices B and C use correct expressions. While choice A is sometimes used in speech, 'comprised of' is considered incorrect by many style guides; the preferred usage is 'composed of' or 'consists of.'
- Identify the sentence with an error in colloquial expression usage.
Answer: We should touch basis with the department before making any final decisions.
The correct answer is D because 'touch basis' is incorrect; the proper idiom is 'touch base' (make contact or check in). 'Basis' is a noun meaning foundation, while 'base' in this context refers to making contact. Choice A correctly uses 'table the discussion.' Choice B correctly uses 'see through to completion.' Choice C correctly uses 'kill two birds with one stone.'
- Select the sentence that contains an error in idiomatic verb usage.
Answer: The department will try and recruit qualified candidates for the open positions.
The correct answer is C because 'try and recruit' is informal and non-standard; the correct formal construction is 'try to recruit.' In formal writing, 'try' should be followed by an infinitive ('to' + verb), not coordinated with 'and.' Choice A correctly uses 'plans to implement.' Choice B correctly uses 'hopes to collaborate.' Choice D correctly uses infinitive construction.
- Which sentence contains an idiomatic error?
Answer: The new policy will take affect beginning with the next fiscal year period.
The correct answer is C because 'take affect' is incorrect; the proper idiom is 'take effect.' 'Affect' is typically a verb meaning to influence, while 'effect' is a noun meaning result or consequence. Choice A correctly uses 'table the motion' (postpone discussion). Choice B correctly uses 'beside herself' (extremely emotional). Choice D uses standard, correct phrasing.
- Which sentence uses an incorrect preposition in an idiomatic expression?
Answer: She has always been interested about environmental conservation issues and policies.
The correct answer is B because 'interested about' is incorrect; the proper idiom is 'interested in.' Choice A correctly uses 'met with' (received). Choice C correctly uses 'deliberate on' (consider/discuss). Choice D correctly uses 'attributed to' (credited to/caused by).
- Select the sentence that demonstrates proper idiomatic usage.
Answer: The professor was angry with the students for their lack of preparation.
The correct answer is B. 'Angry with' is the correct idiomatic expression when referring to being angry with people. 'Angry at' is typically used with situations or things, while 'angry toward' and 'angry against' are not standard idiomatic expressions in this context.
- Which sentence uses an incorrect idiomatic expression?
Answer: The principal insisted that all teachers comply to the new attendance policy.
The correct answer is A. The correct idiomatic expression is 'comply with,' not 'comply to.' Choice B correctly uses 'adhere to,' choice C correctly uses 'implement changes based on,' and choice D uses correct standard expressions throughout.
- Select the sentence that contains an error in idiomatic expression.
Answer: We need to iron out these details before we can proceed forward.
The correct answer is D because 'proceed forward' is redundant; 'proceed' already implies forward movement, making 'forward' unnecessary. The correct idiom is simply 'proceed' or 'move forward.' Choice A correctly uses 'shed light on' (illuminate/clarify). Choice B correctly uses 'on target' (accurate/appropriate). Choice C correctly uses 'brought to a standstill' (caused to stop).
