Positive Idioms Practice Test (A2-B2) — Vocabulary Exercises with Answers

⏱ Time: 10:00 📝 Questions: 20 📊 Level: A2, B1, B2 📚 Type: Vocabulary ⭐ XP: up to +22 (on pass)
⮕ Want to study the topic first? Browse all Positive Idioms lessons

Practise Positive Idioms with 20 exercises at Level A2-B2. Each question comes with a clear explanation to reinforce the words you know and introduce the ones you don't. Just 10 minutes per attempt — perfect for daily practice.

⏱ You have 10:00 to answer 20 questions. The timer only starts when you click Begin.

Q1  20
Q1 20

Question 1: Everything is going well. I'm on cloud ___ !

Question 1 options
'On cloud nine' is a common positive idiom meaning extremely happy. The fixed expression always uses 'nine,' not other numbers.
Q2 20

Question 2: What does the idiom 'over the moon' mean?

Question 2 options
'Over the moon' means extremely happy or delighted. It does not mean confused, tired, or surprised.
Q3 20

Question 3: She was so happy — she had a ___ on her face all day.

Question 3 options
'Grin' is correct because 'have a grin on your face' is a natural positive collocation meaning a wide, happy smile. A 'frown' is negative, a 'mark' is unrelated, and 'tear' suggests sadness.
Q4 20

Question 4: The idiom 'break a leg' is used to wish someone good luck.

Question 4 options
True. 'Break a leg' is a well-known positive idiom used especially in theatre to wish someone good luck before a performance, despite sounding negative on the surface.
Q5 20

Question 5: After winning the race, Tom was on top of the ___.

Question 5 options
'On top of the world' is a fixed idiom meaning extremely happy and successful. The other options do not complete any recognized positive idiom.
Q6 20

Question 6: Which word naturally completes this positive expression? '___ spirits'

Question 6 options
'High spirits' is a standard English collocation meaning a cheerful, lively mood. The other adjectives do not naturally pair with 'spirits' to form a common positive expression.
Q7 20

Question 7: The project was a huge success — everything came up ___.

Question 7 options
'Everything came up roses' is a positive idiom meaning everything turned out wonderfully. The idiom uses 'roses,' not other flowers.
Q8 20

Question 8: Match each positive idiom to its meaning.

Question 8 options
Walking on air
A blessing in disguise
The best of both worlds
A breath of fresh air
Something refreshingly new or different
Something bad that turns out good
Extremely happy
Enjoying two different advantages at once

Select an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

'Walking on air' means extremely happy. 'A blessing in disguise' means something bad that turns out good. 'The best of both worlds' means enjoying two advantages. 'A breath of fresh air' means something refreshingly new.
Q9 20

Question 9: My grandmother always looks on the ___ side of life.

Question 9 options
'Look on the bright side' is a fixed positive idiom meaning to focus on the good aspects of a situation. 'Light,' 'clear,' and 'shiny' do not fit this idiom.
Q10 20

Question 10: When someone is very optimistic, we say they see the glass as half ___.

Question 10 options
'Half full' completes this well-known positive idiom. An optimist sees the glass as half full, while a pessimist sees it as half empty.
Q11 20

Question 11: What does the idiom 'have a heart of gold' mean?

Question 11 options
'Have a heart of gold' means to be very kind and generous by nature. It refers to character, not wealth, bravery, or physical strength.
Q12 20

Question 12: She passed the exam with flying ___. She got the highest score!

Question 12 options
'With flying colours' is a fixed idiom meaning to succeed brilliantly. It originally referred to ships returning to port with flags ('colours') flying high after a victory.
Q13 20

Question 13: The idiom 'every cloud has a silver lining' means that every difficult situation has a positive aspect.

Question 13 options
True. This idiom expresses optimism: even in bad times, there is always something good to be found.
Q14 20

Question 14: After months of hard work, they finally hit the ___ with their new product launch.

Question 14 options
'Hit the jackpot' is a positive idiom meaning to achieve great success or have a big stroke of luck. It comes from gambling terminology. 'Roof,' 'target,' and 'ceiling' do not form this idiom.
Q15 20

Question 15: Which word is closest in meaning to the idiom 'in high spirits'?

Question 15 options
'In high spirits' means cheerful and lively. It does not mean intelligent, wealthy, or cautious.
Q16 20

Question 16: The new employee is really the cream of the ___; she graduated top of her class.

Question 16 options
'The cream of the crop' is a positive idiom meaning the very best of a group. 'Crop' is the only word that completes this fixed expression.
Q17 20

Question 17: His positive attitude is ___; everyone around him starts smiling too.

Question 17 options
'Contagious' is the correct word used to describe emotions, laughter, or attitudes that spread easily from one person to another. 'Infectious' is a close synonym but 'contagious' collocates naturally with 'attitude.' 'Continuous' means ongoing, 'ambitious' means driven, and 'generous' means giving freely — none fit this context about spreading positivity.
Q18 20

Question 18: Maria kept her ___ up during the difficult exam, believing she would do well.

Question 18 options
'Keep one's chin up' is a positive idiom meaning to stay cheerful and optimistic in a difficult situation. The idiom always uses 'chin,' not 'head,' 'nose,' or 'hand.'
Q19 20

Question 19: What does the idiom 'turn over a new leaf' mean?

Question 19 options
'Turn over a new leaf' means to make a fresh start and change one's behaviour for the better. It does not refer to gardening, reading, or relocating.
Q20 20

Question 20: The unexpected promotion was the ___ on the cake after an already wonderful year.

Question 20 options
'The icing on the cake' is a positive idiom meaning an extra good thing that makes a situation even better. The fixed expression uses 'icing,' not 'cherry,' 'sugar,' or 'cream' in this form.