Chapter 5 · Book pages 16–18
📗 Answer key: Idioms and Proverbs
Finish the questions in your book first. Then check each one here: tap Show answer, then mark ✓ if you got it right or ✗ if not. For every ✗, read the "why" and say it out loud.
A. Choose the correct proverb/idiom
1
Pick the correct proverb (early bird).
✓ B. The early bird catches the worm.
Starting early gives you the best chances.
2
Pick the correct proverb (once bitten).
✓ C. Once bitten, twice shy.
A bad experience makes you shy (careful), not bold or brave.
3
Pick the correct proverb (a penny saved).
✓ C. A penny saved is a penny earned.
Saving money is as good as earning it.
4
Pick the correct proverb (a stitch).
✓ A. A stitch in time saves nine.
Fix a small problem early. A timely stitch changes the fixed words.
5
Pick the correct proverb (actions and words).
✓ C. Actions speak louder than words.
What you do matters more than what you say.
B. Read the given hints and choose the correct proverb/idiom
6
“It's better to arrive late than to not show up at all.”
✓ A. Better late than never.
Late is better than never coming.
7
“A small beginning can lead to a great achievement.”
✓ B. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Every big journey starts with one small step.
8
“It's unwise to assume success before it's achieved.”
✓ B. Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
Eggs may not all hatch, so don't be sure too soon.
9
“It's unwise to risk everything for one plan or venture.”
✓ C. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
If that one basket drops, every egg breaks.
10
“Sometimes you have to endure a small loss to achieve something greater.”
✓ B. You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs.
You lose the eggs (small loss) to get the omelette (something better).
C. Choose the correct option to fill in the blank
11
Absence makes the heart grow ____.
✓ A. fonder
Fonder = more loving. We miss and love people more when they're away.
12
A leopard cannot change its ____.
✓ C. spots
Leopards have spots (tigers have stripes). People don't change their nature.
13
All good things must come to an ____.
✓ D. end
Happy times don't last forever.
14
Fools rush in where angels ____ to tread.
✓ C. fear
Foolish people rush into danger that wise people are afraid of.
15
Kill two birds with ____.
✓ D. one stone
Do two jobs with one action.
D. Choose the correct option to fill in the blank
16
She thought she had failed, but passing it was a real ____.
✓ A. blessing in disguise
Something good hidden behind a worry. (Strictly, a blessing in disguise is a bad thing that turns out good; it's the book's best fit.)
17
Seeing so many new faces, he felt like a ____.
✓ D. fish out of water
Uncomfortable in a new place, like a fish on land.
18
The argument they had was silly; it was just ____.
✓ C. a storm in a teacup
A big fuss about a small thing.
19
The firefighters worked with ____ to rescue the people.
✓ B. might and main
With all their strength. (People also say worked heart and soul, but not with heart and soul here; might and main is the fixed idiom.)
20
He's been working at the same company for ____.
✓ B. donkey's years
For a very long time.
Achievers Section (HOTS)
21
Pick the correct proverb (a picture).
✓ B. A picture is worth a thousand words.
A picture can say more than a long description.
22
Pick the correct proverb (beggars).
✓ C. Beggars can't be choosers.
When you need help, accept what you get.
23
Pick the correct proverb (Rome).
✓ C. Rome wasn't built in a day.
Big things take time. Overnight changes the fixed words.
24
You can't teach a/an ____ new tricks.
✓ B. old dog
Old habits are hard to change.
25
Even though they are twins, their personalities are as different as ____.
✓ A. chalk and cheese
Completely different. (As different as night and day is also said, but chalk and cheese is the classic answer.)