Illustrated Everyday Expressions with Stories 1 – Lesson 15 MCQ Test

Lesson 15 – Pedro Tricks His Boss

Idioms

talk over = talk about; speak out; discuss

They decided to talk over their problem.
They talked over the plan.
We talked over an idea for the next party.

A: Can you go to the concert with us on Saturday night?
B: I’m going to talk it over with my dad tonight.

take turns = do one after another; do by turns; alternate

They took turns skipping.
We take turns watching the baby.
She took turns with her brother on the sled.

A: It’s going to be a long trip.
B: Let’s take turns driving.

thanks for = said to show gratitude for something

He says thanks for repairing his spaceship.
Thanks for all your help.
Be sure to say thanks for the wonderful dinner.

A: Thanks for helping me clean my room!
B: No problem. Now let’s go outside and play.

think about = recall or imagine fondly; dream of

He can’t stop thinking about the girl.
During the storm, I thought about sunshine.
She thinks about her trip to Paris often.

A: Do you miss your grandmother?
B: Yes, I do. I think about her every day.

think of = create a picture or idea in your imagination

He thought of a good idea for lunch.
He couldn’t think of the answer.
Can you think of a better way?

A: Can you think of a nice place for a vacation?
B: How about Hawaii?

throw away = get rid of something; throw out

Please throw away your garbage.
I don’t want to throw away this old chair.
He was angry because she threw away his favorite old hat.

A: Can I throw away these boxes.
B: Yes you can. I don’t need them.

to tell the truth = to be honest; to be frank; in all honesty; honestly; frankly

To tell the truth, I ate the sheep.
To tell the truth, I don’t like her at all.
To tell the truth, I got up late this morning.

A: How about pizza for dinner?
B: To tell the truth, I don’t like pizza. Can we eat something else?

try on = put on clothes to check the style or fit

He is trying on a new sweater.
Can I try these shoes on?
He tried on the shorts, but they were too big.

A: I like these pants, but I think they’re too small.
B: Try them on. Maybe they’ll fit.

turn off = switch off; shut off; disconnect; unplug

Turn off the lights.
Please turn off the TV.
I forgot to turn the stove off!

A: Are you using the computer?
B: No, you can turn it off.

turn on = start the flow of power

Turn on the lights.
I want to turn on the air conditioner!
Could you turn the fan on, please?

A: Let’s listen to some music!l
B: Okay! I’ll turn on the radio.

wait for = hold on; hang on; await

He is waiting for the bus.
What are you waiting for?
I have to wait for my clothes to dry.

A: He said he’d be here at 8:00, but it’s 8:30. Should we wait for him?
B: Yes. Maybe he got lost.

wake up = arise from sleep; become awake

It is time for him to wake up.
Wake up! You’re late for work!
She woke up in the middle of the night.

A: Be quiet! You’ll wake up the baby!
B: Sorry. I’ll practice my trumpet outside.

watch out = look out; be careful; beware

Watch out for that hole!
Watch out! There is a bee on your arm!
The old monkey is very mean, so watch out!

A: I’m going for a bike ride.
B: Watch out for cars!

wear out = make useless; damage

The girl wore out the doll.
He wore out two pairs of socks last year.
She wears her pants out very quickly.

A: Wow! Your shoes have a lot of holes!
B: I know. They wore out because I walked five miles in them everyday.

what’s the matter (with) = what’s the problem; what’s wrong; what’s the trouble

Mommy says. “What’s the matter?”
Please tell me what’s the matter with my dog.
She’s crying. What’s the matter with her?

A: You don’t look good. What’s the matter?
B: I have a bad headache and I’m very tired.

worthwhile to/~ing = worth the time and effort spent

It would be worthwhile to stop smoking.
It is worthwhile to study a foreign language.
She thinks it is worthwhile saving money.

A: I haven’t been to the new aquarium. Would it be worthwhile to go?
B: Yes! They have many beautiful fish and other interesting animals there.

would like to = have a desire to do; want to; wish

The rabbit would like to fly.
She would like to become a doctor.
They would like to go to the beach.

A: I would like to see that new movie. Do you want to go?
B: Yes. Let’s go this weekend.

would rather = would prefer to; would sooner; prefer

He would rather eat Chinese food.
I would rather live in a house than in an apartment.
She would rather be fishing.

A: Would you rather go swimming or play computer games today?
B: I would rather go swimming.

write back = reply by letter; answer; acknowledge

I have to write back to my friend.
Have you written back to your grandmother?
Please write back to me!

A: Have you heard from Ted yet?
B: Yes. He sent me a letter last week, and I’m going to write back to him tonight.

write down = make a note of; put down; take down

He wrote down the directions.
Please write down this number.
Her mother told him about his family history and he wrote it down.

A: May I have your telephone number?
B: Yes, I’ll write it down for you.

PEDRO TRICKS HIS BOSS 

In Chile, South America there are many stories about Pedro. Pedro never thought it was worthwhile to work hard. He would rather trick people to get money without working. Maybe these stories were told for fun, but also they teach people to watch out for men like Pedro.

One day, Pedro got a job working for a farmer. This farmer had a very pretty wife and three pretty daughters. “To tell the truth,” Pedro thought, “I would like to just sit all day talking to them.”

Pedro was working with another man washing the barn. However, they turned off the hose and took turns sleeping. If one man saw their boss coming, he would wake up the other, turn on the hose, and start washing.

The farmer thought about firing Pedro because he had been very slow in washing the barn. Pedro wanted to work for the farmer very much. (Actually, he was just waiting for the chance to kiss one of the farmer’s daughters!) Pedro and the farmer talked over all of the jobs that Pedro could do. The farmer finally decided to send Pedro to town to sell his pigs. He gave Pedro a piece of paper with the price that he wanted for the pigs.

Pedro thought of a way to trick his boss. He threw away the paper and took the pigs into a swamp near the farm. Pedro cut off all of the tails of the pigs and stuck the tails in the mud. Then he led the pigs to town and sold them. Because Pedro had worn out his shoes, he went to a shop and tried on some new ones. He wrote down the address of the shop and told the owner that he would write back soon to order the shoes. Then he went back to the swamp.

As night came, the farmer got worried. He took a lamp and went down the road to look for Pedro. When he saw Pedro standing in the swamp, he yelled, “What’s the matter with you? I told you to go to town!”

Pedro said, “I tried to take a short cut through the swamp. But all of the pigs went into the mud. Look.” Pedro pointed to pigtails.

The farmer shouted, “Quick, go tell all three of my daughters to come help us dig these pigs out!”

When Pedro ran back to the farm, he found the daughters waiting there. The daughters asked Pedro if anything was wrong. He knew this was his chance!

Pedro said, “No. Your father told me to come here and give each of you a kiss.” The three daughters laughed and said that they did not believe him. Pedro yelled back to the farmer still standing in the swamp, “Did you say all three?”

The farmer yelled back, “Yes, all three!” So Pedro kissed all three daughters, said, “Thanks for letting me work here!” and ran away.