Expressions Quiz: Honesty

You can do this quiz online or print it on paper. It tests comprehension of common English expressions about being honest or dishonest.

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

1. I prefer to start job interviews by laying my cards on the table.

showing my qualifications
revealing my true intentions
creating a good impression
a) showing my qualifications b) revealing my true intentions c) creating a good impression

2. Most people bend the truth when describing themselves on dating websites.

aren't completely honest
are completely honest
are completely dishonest
a) aren't completely honest b) are completely honest c) are completely dishonest

3. No matter how obvious the lie is, Ken takes it at face value and believes it.

doesn't know what it means
accepts it without question
doesn't care if it's true
a) doesn't know what it means b) accepts it without question c) doesn't care if it's true

4. What do you think of Mum's financial adviser? Is he on the level, or not?

well-qualified
dishonest
trustworthy
a) well-qualified b) dishonest c) trustworthy

5. The team needs a manager with a reputation for straight talking.

speaking clearly
speaking politely
speaking honestly
a) speaking clearly b) speaking politely c) speaking honestly

6. Have you even been taken for a ride by someone you trusted?

lied to and cheated
accused of dishonesty
given bad advice
a) lied to and cheated b) accused of dishonesty c) given bad advice

7. Don't you think it's time to go straight and make an honest living?

stop being a criminal
stop being a lawyer
stop being dishonest
a) stop being a criminal b) stop being a lawyer c) stop being dishonest

8. Now we know it wasn't entirely true, but we published the report in good faith at the time.

without checking the facts
believing it was true
knowing it mightn't be true
a) without checking the facts b) believing it was true c) knowing it mightn't be true

9. Ben said I was getting fat. He can be honest to a fault at times!

as honest as possible
more honest than necessary
extremely dishonest
a) as honest as possible b) more honest than necessary c) extremely dishonest

10. Maria is as honest as the day is long, believe me.

never honest
usually honest
always honest
a) never honest b) usually honest c) always honest

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.