Political idioms quiz: derogatory terms

You can do this quiz online or print it on paper. It tests insulting and derogatory language often heard in political debates between progressive people on the left and conservative people on the right.

Read each question and choose the correct answer.

1. If someone is called a snowflake, which political views are they probably expressing?

conservative views
progressive views
unpopular views
a) conservative views b) progressive views c) unpopular views

2. Which is a derogatory term for someone who wants to protect the natural environment?

a naturalist
a nature lover
a tree hugger
a) a naturalist b) a nature lover c) a tree hugger

3. Which term refers to people who believe in taxing the rich in order to help the poor?

lefties
right-wingers
ultraconservatives
a) lefties b) right-wingers c) ultraconservatives

4. A warmonger is a politician who

wants to start a war
wants to end a war
wants to die in a war
a) wants to start a war b) tries to end a war c) wants to die in a war

5. Who wants lower taxation and less government spending on healthcare, education and welfare?

lefties
right-wingers
welfare recipients
a) lefties b) right-wingers c) welfare recipients

6. Who is most likely to be born with a sense of entitlement?

someone from the working class
someone from the middle class
someone from the upper class
a) someone from the working class b) someone from the middle class c) someone from the upper class

7. What can we call a politician who prefers military threats to diplomacy when dealing with international rivals?

a hawk
a vulture
a dove
a) a hawk b) a vulture c) a dove

8. “Do media moguls help people win elections?” What is a media mogul?

a powerful media baron
a publisher of fake news
a critic of populist media
a) a powerful media baron b) a publisher of fake news c) a critic of populist media

9. “Wasn't George W Bush a neocon US president?” What is neocon short for?

neoconservationist
neoconservative
neocolonialist
a) neoconservationist b) neoconservative c) neocolonialist

10. Which idiom denigrates activists who fight prejudice, injustice and inequality?

useful idiot
keyboard warrior
bleeding-heart liberal
a) useful idiot b) keyboard warrior c) bleeding-heart liberal

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.