Sayings Quiz: Mixed 2

1. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer

If you "keep your friends close and your enemies closer" you will

a. have no friends

b. have no enemies

c. sleep better at night

2. Least said soonest mended

The saying "Least said soonest mended" advises that a disagreement, for example, will be forgotten most quickly if we

a. write a letter of apology

b. take time to say how sorry we are

c. say nothing or very little

3. Make hay while the sun shines

If we should "make hay while the sun shines", we should buy the summer clothes we want

a. during the summer sales

b. after the summer sales

c. after the shops close

4. Nature abhors a vacuum

According to the saying "nature abhors a vacuum", if you abandoned a town house and left it empty

a. air pressure would break all its windows

b. the air would gradually leak out

c. somebody would soon move in and live in it

5. Oil and water don't mix

You could say "oil and water don't mix" about two people who

a. don't drink

b. don't get on together

c. don't look the same

6. Patience is a virtue

"Patience is a virtue" suggests that getting angry when you have to wait is

a. a good personal trait

b. a bad personal trait

c. a sign of patience

7. Quietness is a great treasure

"Quietness is a great treasure" is a proverb about the value of

a. silence

b. treasure

c. greatness

8. Rags to rags in three generations

"Rags to rags in three generations" could be said to be a cynical observation about

a. rags

b. clothing

c. money

9. Say well or be still

If you always "say well or be still", then you

a. always say nice things about everyone

b. never say anything

c. never say anything nasty about someone

10. Talk of the Devil, and he is bound to appear

You might say "Talk of the devil!" when your boss suddenly arrives

a. in your local pub

b. while you are discussing him

c. while you are discussing religion

NB: you can also print this quiz on paper.

1. If you "keep your friends close and your enemies closer" you will: a) have no friends b) have no enemies c) sleep better at night

2. The saying "Least said soonest mended" advises that a disagreement, for example, will be forgotten most quickly if we: a) write a letter of apology b) take time to say how sorry we are c) say nothing or very little

3. If we should "make hay while the sun shines", we should buy the summer clothes we want: a) during the summer sales b) after the summer sales c) after the shops close

4. According to the saying "nature abhors a vacuum", if you abandoned a town house and left it empty: a) air pressure would break all its windows b) the air would gradually leak out c) somebody would soon move in and live in it

5. You could say "oil and water don't mix" about two people who: a) don't drink b) don't get on together c) don't look the same

6. "Patience is a virtue" suggests that getting angry when you have to wait is: a) a good personal trait b) a bad personal trait c) a sign of patience

7. "Quietness is a great treasure" is a proverb about the value of: a) silence b) treasure c) greatness

8. "Rags to rags in three generations" could be said to be a cynical observation about: a) rags b) clothing c) money

9. If you always "say well or be still", then you: a) always say nice things about everyone b) never say anything c) never say anything nasty about someone

10. You might say "Talk of the devil!" when your boss suddenly arrives: a) in your local pub b) while you are discussing him c) while you are discussing religion

Contributor: Josef Essberger