As the curtain rose, Ethan’s heart skipped a beat. He wasn’t sure if it was fear or adrenaline, but he couldn’t turn back now. He took a deep breath and began his lines. What does SKIPPED A BEAT mean?

The class had argued for an hour about the best solution. Then Emma spoke, connecting everyone’s points into one clear idea. The teacher nodded and said she had hit the nail on the head. What does HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD mean?

Tessa’s voice was steady and confident as she presented her argument. Even when challenged, she didn’t back down or sound rude. Her teacher praised her for being assertive. What does ASSERTIVE mean?

Lena stood at the front of the room while whispers spread through the class. Instead of arguing or getting emotional, she spoke calmly and clearly. Her composed tone made the truth hard to ignore. What does COMPOSED mean?

Javier invested in an online business that promised to double his money in a month. His friend warned him to be wary, but Javier brushed it off. Two weeks later, the website vanished along with his savings. What does WARY mean?

Mia hadn’t spoken to her friend in weeks after their fight. Finally, she decided to text first, hoping to extend an olive branch. Her message simply said, “Can we talk?” What does EXTEND AN OLIVE BRANCH mean?

Rumors spread so fast that no one knew what was true anymore. Facts were twisted and forgotten. The truth had gone completely out the window. What does OUT THE WINDOW mean?

At first, the argument was just a disagreement. But as voices rose and tempers flared, things escalated quickly. The teacher had to step in before it got worse. What does ESCALATED mean?

The referee’s call was controversial, and the crowd’s reaction was loud. The coach clenched his jaw but stayed composed, waiting until after the game to speak. What does COMPOSED mean in this passage?

The scientist’s claim sounded plausible, though the evidence was thin. Her peers didn’t dismiss it, but they wanted more data before believing her. Some said her idea could reshape the entire field—if it turned out to be true. PLAUSIBLE

When I told my friend what I’d done, she didn’t yell. She just said it was inexcusable, then walked away. Somehow, that hurt more than shouting would have. What does INEXCUSABLE mean?

After months of tension, Sam spotted his brother sitting alone. Without saying much, he joined him and shared a snack. It was his quiet way to bury the hatchet. What does BURY THE HATCHET mean?

After their tent ripped in the rain, the campers used a tarp and rope to build a shelter. It wasn’t comfortable, but at least it kept them dry. They had to make do with what they had. What does MAKE DO mean?