Expressions Quiz: Conflict

You can do this quiz online or print it on paper. It tests comprehension of common English expressions used when talking about dealing with conflict.

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

1. My sister and I were going at it tooth and nail last night.

biting and scratching
arguing angrily
screaming loudly
a) biting and scratching b) arguing angrily c) screaming loudly

2. Do you ever take sides if your children are fighting?

support one against another
refuse to support either
support both equally
a) support one against another b) refuse to support either c) support both equally

3. Is getting even with someone who's done the wrong thing to you a good idea?

getting angry
doing wrong in return
being friendly
a) getting angry b) doing wrong in return c) being friendly

4. I've tried to make peace with Jenny, but she's still too angry with me.

be peaceful
be less violent
end the dispute
a) be peaceful b) be less violent c) end the dispute

5. After drinking too much, Jimmy was spoiling for a fight.

tired of fighting
wanting to fight
not a good fighter
a) tired of fighting b) wanting to fight c) not a good fighter

6. Neighbours who've been fighting for years find it hard to let bygones be bygones.

forget their past conflicts
continue their past conflicts
recall their past conflicts
a) forget their past conflicts b) continue their past conflicts c) recall their past conflicts

7. Those countries have been at loggerheads for many years.

fighting a war
closely co-operating
strongly disagreeing
a) fighting a war b) closely co-operating c) strongly disagreeing

8. If the conflict is allowed to come to a head, war is possible.

continue much longer
slowly get better
suddenly get worse
a) continue much longer b) slowly get better c) suddenly get worse

9. Revealing the president's past crimes has set the cat among the pigeons.

caused much trouble
solved many problems
surprised many people
a) caused much trouble b) solved many problems c) surprised many people

10. If you get into an argument about politics, she'll probably get the better of you.

lose the argument
win the argument
get upset
a) lose the argument b) win the argument c) get upset

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.