Expressions with ON Quiz

You can do this quiz online or print it on paper. It tests comprehension of common English expressions that include the word ON.

Read each sentence and choose the answer with the closest meaning to the words in italics.

1. The Chinese economy will soon be on a par with the US economy.

overtaking
ahead of
level with
a) overtaking b) ahead of c) level with

2. Grandma is still living on her own.

alone
without help
in her own place
a) alone b) without help c) in her own place

3. She wasn't well last week, but she's on the mend now.

getting treatment
getting worse
getting better
a) getting treatment b) getting worse c) getting better

4. Is a nuclear war really on the cards, do you think?

happening
likely to happen
unlikely to happen
a) happening b) likely to happen c) unlikely to happen

5. I'll pick you up on the way to the airport.

nearby
en route
on the road
a) nearby b) en route c) on the road

6. Everyone looked on edge as they waited for their test results.

anxious
alert
confident
a) anxious b) alert c) confident

7. The police think someone started the fire on purpose.

accidentally
deliberately
definitely
a) accidentally b) deliberately c) definitely

8. Football teams are always on the lookout for talented young players.

spying on
overlooking
searching for
a) spying on b) overlooking c) searching for

9. I'm speaking on behalf of every student here.

as a representative of
as a supporter of
as an opponent of
a) as a representative of b) as a supporter of c) as an opponent of

10. Make sure you pay all your bills on time.

immediately
punctually
timelessly
a) immediately b) punctually c) timelessly

Your score is:

Correct answers:

Contributor: Matt Errey. Matt is the author of several books including 1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context and Common English Idioms for learners, and Matt's ESL Games and Quizzes for teachers.