Expressions Quiz: Work

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

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

1. John got the sack for going on strike.

got a bonus
got demoted
got fired
a) got a bonus b) got demoted c) got fired

2. Joanne told us she's between jobs just now.

doing two jobs
getting a job
unemployed
a) doing two jobs b) getting a job c) unemployed

3. Sally looked at Harry and said, "What do you do for a living, Harry?"

for fun
for work
for interest
a) for fun b) for work c) for interest

4. After being a science teacher for forty years, I've decided to hang up my hat.

end my career
change careers
go for a promotion
a) end my career b) change careers c) go for a promotion

5. Grandpa worked his fingers to the bone to support his family.

damaged his fingers
worked with his hands
worked extremely hard
a) damaged his fingers b) work with his hands c) worked extremely hard

6. The manager said he had no choice but to let me go.

let me take time off
fire me from my job
let me quit my job
a) let me take time off b) fire me from my job c) let me quit my job

7. Nurses and doctors at the coalface know what's really going wrong in our health system.

where real work is done
where management is done
where policymaking is done
a) where real work is done b) where management is done c) where policymaking is done

8. If an accident happens when you're on duty, the company has to pay your healthcare costs.

going to work
doing your work
a company employee
a) going to work b) doing your work c) a company employee

9. In the UK people say "on the dole", but in the US they say "on welfare".

on sick leave
working as an intern
receiving unemployment benefits
a) on sick leave b) working as an intern c) receiving unemployment benefits

10. I've had my nose to the grindstone every day this week.

been working very hard
been looking for work
taken time off work
a) been working very hard b) been looking for work c) taken time off work

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.