Answer the 3 multiple‑choice questions and click Check.
For the speaking task: record up to 1 minute. The timer will stop you automatically.
After recording, use the AI Check to see if you used the target idiom and to get quick feedback.
Finally, grade yourself with the rubric (0–3 per category).
Note: The “AI Check” uses your browser’s speech recognition when available (Chrome works best). If it’s not supported, you’ll still be able to record and self‑assess.
Set 1: Effort and Unexpected Outcome
Lexicon:burn the midnight oil, pull a rabbit out of a hat, go the extra mile, by the skin of one’s teeth, the last straw, a blessing in disguise
Q1 Which scenario best exemplifies burn the midnight oil?
Q2 What tone is implied by by the skin of one’s teeth?
Q3 Which is the most accurate paraphrase of go the extra mile?
Q4 Speaking (1 minute): Use a blessing in disguise to discuss a global challenge that unexpectedly led to positive social change.
Goal: Sound analytical (cause → consequence), and use the idiom naturally once. Suggested structure: Context → initial downside → unexpected upside → concluding evaluation.
Time:01:00
AI Check (quick feedback)
Checks (1) whether you said the target idiom, (2) approximate length, and (3) a few advanced connectors.
Target idiom:a blessing in disguise
Speaking Rubric (Self-check)
Criteria
0
1
2
3
Task achievement (ideas & structure)
Idiom accuracy (form & meaning)
Range (vocabulary & grammar)
Fluency (flow & pacing)
Pronunciation (clarity & stress)
Total: 0 / 15
Set 2: Clarity and Agreement
Lexicon:shed light on, put one’s cards on the table, be on the same page, see eye to eye, get one’s head around
Q5 Which scenario most requires people to be on the same page?
Q6 If two politicians can’t see eye to eye, it most likely means…
Q7Shed light on usually implies the topic was previously…
Q8 Speaking (1 minute): Use be on the same page to explain why transparency matters in a democracy.
Goal: Link transparency → trust → policy legitimacy; use one contrasting point (e.g., “otherwise…”).
Time:01:00
AI Check (quick feedback)
Target idiom:be on the same page
Speaking Rubric (Self-check)
Criteria
0
1
2
3
Task achievement
Idiom accuracy
Range
Fluency
Pronunciation
Total: 0 / 15
Set 3: Negativity and Resilience
Lexicon:a storm in a teacup, add fuel to the fire, cry over spilt milk, take its toll, a blessing in disguise
Q9 In an argument, add fuel to the fire means…
Q10 If a struggle starts to take its toll, it has a…
Q11 In which situation is cry over spilt milk appropriate advice?
Q12 Speaking (1 minute): Use take its toll to discuss the environmental impact of long-term industrial pollution.
Goal: Use one cause-effect chain (e.g., “over time… therefore…”) and one evaluative phrase (e.g., “arguably,” “increasingly”).
Time:01:00
AI Check (quick feedback)
Target idiom:take its toll
Speaking Rubric (Self-check)
Criteria
0
1
2
3
Task achievement
Idiom accuracy
Range
Fluency
Pronunciation
Total: 0 / 15
Set 4: Negotiation and Strategy
Lexicon:turn down, draw a line in the sand, sit on the fence, hedge one’s bets, put a stop to
Q13 Best definition of hedge one’s bets:
Q14 Repeatedly sitting on the fence in politics often makes you seem…
Q15 If someone draws a line in the sand, compromise is now…
Q16 Speaking (1 minute): Use hedge one’s bets to discuss global investment strategies around disruptive technology.
Goal: Use one example and one counter‑risk (e.g., regulation, volatility, ethics).
Time:01:00
AI Check (quick feedback)
Target idiom:hedge your bets
Speaking Rubric (Self-check)
Criteria
0
1
2
3
Task achievement
Idiom accuracy
Range
Fluency
Pronunciation
Total: 0 / 15
Set 5: Conflict Resolution and Hidden Information
Lexicon:butter up, hash out, break the ice, clear the air, get wind of
Q17 Trying to butter up a superior is mainly to…
Q18Get wind of suggests information was acquired…
Q19 The best setting to break the ice is…
Q20 Speaking (1 minute): Use get wind of to discuss the ethics of corporate espionage or whistleblowing.
Goal: Take a position (ethical / unethical) and justify it with one concrete example.