Explanations + Practice
Easy English Explanations:
- You can’t judge a book by its cover
This means you shouldn’t decide what something or someone is like just by how they look. You need to look deeper to know the truth. - Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
This means don’t rely on just one thing to be successful. If something goes wrong, you might lose everything, so it’s better to have more than one option. - The early bird catches the worm
This means that people who wake up early or act quickly have a better chance of getting what they want or being successful. - Strike while the iron is hot
This means to take advantage of a good opportunity while it’s still available. Don’t wait too long or you might miss your chance.
Extra Practice
12-Question Quiz: English PROVERBS
Instructions: Read the situation and choose the correct proverb someone would say.
1. Situation: Your friend is deciding whether to apply for a job now or wait until later. You think they should apply now before someone else gets the job.
a) “The early bird catches the worm.”
b) “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
c) “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
2. Situation: You meet someone who looks unfriendly, but after talking to them, they turn out to be really nice.
a) “Strike while the iron is hot.”
b) “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
c) “The early bird catches the worm.”
3. Situation: Your friend is thinking about spending all their savings on one business idea, but you remind them that it’s risky to put everything in one place.
a) “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
b) “Strike while the iron is hot.”
c) “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
4. Situation: You wake up early to go shopping, and you manage to get all the good deals before the store runs out.
a) “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
b) “The early bird catches the worm.”
c) “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
5. Situation: Your friend wants to wait until later to make a decision, but you think they should act now because it’s a great chance.
a) “Strike while the iron is hot.”
b) “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
c) “The early bird catches the worm.”
6. Situation: Your friend wants to buy something based only on how pretty the packaging is, but you remind them that it might not be as good as it looks.
a) “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
b) “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
c) “Strike while the iron is hot.”
7. Situation: You tell your friend not to invest all their money in just one stock because if it fails, they will lose everything.
a) “The early bird catches the worm.”
b) “Strike while the iron is hot.”
c) “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
8. Situation: You meet someone who looks like they might be mean, but they turn out to be very friendly and kind.
a) “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
b) “The early bird catches the worm.”
c) “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
9. Situation: Your friend is thinking about joining a club, and you encourage them to sign up right now before all the spots are taken.
a) “Strike while the iron is hot.”
b) “The early bird catches the worm.”
c) “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
10. Situation: You wake up early and get to the market first, finding the freshest fruits and vegetables.
a) “The early bird catches the worm.”
b) “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
c) “Strike while the iron is hot.”
11. Situation: You remind your friend that it’s better to act quickly and make use of a good chance instead of waiting too long and missing it.
a) “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
b) “Strike while the iron is hot.”
c) “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
12. Situation: Someone is judging another person based only on their appearance, but you remind them that looks aren’t everything.
a) “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
b) “Strike while the iron is hot.”
c) “The early bird catches the worm.”
Answers:
- a) “The early bird catches the worm.”
- b) “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
- a) “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
- b) “The early bird catches the worm.”
- a) “Strike while the iron is hot.”
- b) “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
- c) “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
- a) “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
- a) “Strike while the iron is hot.”
- a) “The early bird catches the worm.”
- b) “Strike while the iron is hot.”
- a) “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”