Expressions Quiz: Punishment

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

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

1. In many countries people do time for drink-driving.

do community service
lose their licence
go to jail
a) do community service b) lose their licence c) go to jail

2. Katie thought the judge might let her off with a fine if she came clean.

told the truth
behaved politely
looked more attractive
a) told the truth b) behaved politely c) looked more attractive

3. The judge threw the book at her instead.

punished her lightly
punished her severely
found her not guilty
a) punished her lightly b) punished her severely c) found her not guilty

4. The only way you'll beat the rap is to bribe the judge.

be punished lightly
be found guilty
be acquitted
a) be punished lightly b) be found guilty c) be acquitted

5. It's an open-and-shut case, so the jury won't take long to reach a verdict.

a straightforward case
a highly-complex case
a strongly-contested case
a) a straightforward case b) a highly-complex case c) a strongly-contested case

6. Rich people often get a slap on the wrist for committing crimes that poor people are sent to jail for.

a heavy punishment
a very light punishment
no punishment
a) a heavy punishment b) a very light punishment c) no punishment

7. Why did Nelson Mandela spend most of life behind bars?

drinking in bars
working in bars
locked up in jail
a) drinking in bars b) working in bars c) locked up in jail

8. Javi's sick of being sent to prison, so he's trying to go straight.

stop being a criminal
stop getting caught
stop getting drunk
a) stop being a criminal b) stop getting caught c) stop getting drunk

9. The footage clearly shows her stealing clothes, so she hasn't got a leg to stand on.

has no self-control
can't stand up for herself
can't prove she's in the right
a) has no self-control b) can't stand up for herself c) can't prove she's in the right

10. The police offered him a shorter jail sentence, but Ronnie refused to sell anyone down the river.

pay bribes to anyone
inform on anyone
cheat anyone
a) pay bribes to anyone b) inform on anyone c) cheat anyone

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.