Idiomatic Partitives Mixed Practice
B1 Level
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The pattern still looks familiar: a / an + idiomatic partitive + of + abstract noun. The challenge is choosing the natural phrase. Shred, grain, trace, flicker, ounce, and hint often mean a tiny amount. Pang suggests a sudden sharp feeling. Stroke means a sudden event or act, as in luck or genius. Touch and dose can mean a small added quality. Avoid false absolutes: some phrases can be literal in other contexts, but in these examples the meaning is normally figurative.
Quick Rule
a / an + idiomatic partitive + of + abstract noun to show a tiny amount, sudden feeling, sign, or slight quality
- 1.There was not a shred of evidence against her.
- 2.Lena felt a pang of guilt after the argument.
- 3.Finding the spare ticket was a stroke of luck.
- 4.Do not say a glass of truth; say a grain of truth.
- 5.His reply showed a trace of doubt.
All 20 questions
Choose the correct partitive from the three options given in parentheses. Type your answer exactly as shown.
There wasn't _____ evidence to prove he was guilty. (a shred of / a loaf of / a cup of)
She felt _____ guilt about missing her friend's birthday. (a roll of / a pang of / a bottle of)
Finding that old photo was _____ luck. (a pile of / a glass of / a stroke of)
The story has _____ truth in it, but most of it is made up. (a bowl of / a grain of / a carton of)
The room needed _____ colour, so she added some flowers. (a touch of / a flock of / a kilo of)
His voice had _____ sarcasm that she didn't like. (a hint of / a slice of / a herd of)
After months of bad news, this was _____ hope for the town. (a ray of / a can of / a packet of)
Let me give you _____ warning about that neighbourhood at night. (a glass of / a word of / a bunch of)
Her solution was _____ genius — nobody else thought of it. (a stroke of / a pile of / a pair of)
He didn't show _____ interest in the project. (a bunch of / a flicker of / a loaf of)
She left the meeting without _____ dignity. (a shred of / a roll of / a jug of)
The meal was good, but needed _____ spice. (a glass of / a pinch of / a flock of)
The new employee brought _____ fresh air to the department. (a pair of / a breath of / a cup of)
He felt _____ hunger even though he'd had lunch. (a pang of / a bar of / a bowl of)
The film had _____ humour that made it enjoyable. (a touch of / a kilo of / a herd of)
I detected _____ garlic in the sauce. (a carton of / a pack of / a hint of)
_____ lightning lit up the sky for a second. (a cup of / a slice of / a flash of)
She couldn't find _____ sympathy for his situation. (an ounce of / a roll of / a glass of)
He spoke without _____ doubt in his voice. (a trace of / a bunch of / a pair of)
The comedian added _____ irony to her stories. (a loaf of / a dose of / a flock of)
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