Subject

English Grammar

English grammar is the structure of expressions in the English language. This includes the structure of words, phrases, clauses and sentences. There are certain differences in grammar between the standard forms of British English, American English and Australian English, although these are inconspicuous compared with the lexical and pronunciation differences.

Quizzes in English Grammar for HSC

Idioms & Phrases

Identify the correct meaning of the expression A hue and cry.

Unfair treatment
To have a personal stake or benefit in something
A loud public protest or strong complaint
Much better than others of the same type

Correct answer(s):

A loud public protest or strong complaint

Idioms & Phrases

What does the phrase A blot on the landscape mean in standard English?

To provide evidence or proof of something
Something ugly or unpleasant that spoils an otherwise attractive place
To return to the original position or situation
After taking all facts and circumstances into account

Correct answer(s):

Something ugly or unpleasant that spoils an otherwise attractive place

Idioms & Phrases

What idea is expressed by A last-ditch effort?

A decisive moment when an important change begins
A final desperate attempt to solve a problem or avoid failure
A clear practical example or warning
To apply influence or force to make someone act

Correct answer(s):

A final desperate attempt to solve a problem or avoid failure

Idioms & Phrases

Choose the correct meaning of A breach of trust.

To die or disappear like all living things
With general agreement
Briefly and without much detail
An act that breaks confidence, honesty, or responsibility

Correct answer(s):

An act that breaks confidence, honesty, or responsibility

Idioms & Phrases

Select the best explanation of A leap in the dark.

To emphasize a point strongly and repeatedly
To have power, control, or influence
A risky action taken without knowing the result
An unpleasant fact or result that is difficult to accept
To understand something after thought or investigation

Correct answer(s):

A risky action taken without knowing the result

Idioms & Phrases

In English grammar, how should A change of tack be understood?

To support or defend a person, idea, or cause
Very obvious or easy to understand
A change in method, plan, or direction
To suspend or postpone something temporarily
To discuss a point hypothetically

Correct answer(s):

A change in method, plan, or direction

Idioms & Phrases

Which answer explains A matter of principle correctly?

An issue based on a moral rule or firm belief
As an extra addition
To be abandoned, lost, or ignored
To fail completely or produce no result

Correct answer(s):

An issue based on a moral rule or firm belief

Idioms & Phrases

Which option gives the closest meaning of A checkered career?

To manage to speak when others are talking a lot
Automatically because no other choice is made
A career marked by both successes and failures or controversies
After taking all facts and circumstances into account

Correct answer(s):

A career marked by both successes and failures or controversies

Idioms & Phrases

Which meaning best matches the idiom A means to an end?

Fixed and not open to change
To harm or criticize someone who helps or supports you
Something done only to achieve a larger purpose
Automatically because no other choice is made

Correct answer(s):

Something done only to achieve a larger purpose

Idioms & Phrases

For HSC English, what is the meaning of A cog in the machine?

To apply influence or force to make someone act
To create division or hostility between people
A situation likely to lead to failure, danger, or serious trouble
A small and unimportant part of a large system

Correct answer(s):

A small and unimportant part of a large system

Idioms & Phrases

What does the idiom or phrase grease the palm mean?

to bribe
to cut down a tree
to rub oil on the hand
to lubricate machine parts

Correct answer(s):

to bribe

Idioms & Phrases

In the sentence, what does in Dutch mean?
The boy was in Dutch with his friends.

in love
in awe
in trouble
on good terms

Correct answer(s):

in trouble

Idioms & Phrases

In the sentence, what does gather roses only mean?
Deepak did not care for his family; he wanted to gather roses only.

to obtain fame by hard work
to seek all enjoyments of life
to save money miserly
to describe the past positively

Correct answer(s):

to seek all enjoyments of life

Idioms & Phrases

What does the idiom or phrase feather one's nest mean?

to build one’s house
to harbor ill feeling
to get something in abundance
to enrich oneself when an opportunity occurs

Correct answer(s):

to enrich oneself when an opportunity occurs

Idioms & Phrases

In the sentence, what does hold water mean?
His argument does not hold water.

to stop the flow of water
to sound like a fact
to be logical or valid
to have a strong effect

Correct answer(s):

to be logical or valid

Idioms & Phrases

In the sentence, what does black sheep mean?
You find a black sheep in every community.

one who does not cooperate
one who lives a life of shame
one who is always doing wrong
person with a bad reputation

Correct answer(s):

person with a bad reputation

Idioms & Phrases

In the sentence, what does a Penelope’s web mean?
His work seems to be a Penelope’s web.

difficult
endless
declining
in his best form

Correct answer(s):

endless

Idioms & Phrases

In the sentence, what does an about-turn mean?
His recent statement is an about-turn.

complete change of opinion
a declaration of war
good announcement
a bold statement

Correct answer(s):

complete change of opinion

Idioms & Phrases

In the sentence, what does at daggers drawn mean?
The two friends are now at daggers drawn over a petty issue.

frustrated
extremely angry or hostile
friendly
competitors

Correct answer(s):

extremely angry or hostile

Idioms & Phrases

In the sentence, what does salad days mean?
In his salad days, he was quite a dandy.

old age
school days
one’s youthful days
childhood only

Correct answer(s):

one's youthful days