Avoiding Clichés

1. Question

   Successful people who dropped out of high school or college are a dime a dozen.

   A.

   People who dropped out of high school or college are a dime a dozen.

   B.

   Successful people who left high school or college are a dime a dozen.

   C.

   Successful people who left high school or college are common.

   D.

   Successful people who dropped out are a dime a dozen.

   Avoiding Clichés: For the following sentences, choose the option that removes the cliché and successfully substitutes a better expression or restates the idea in more direct language. - Successful people who dropped out of high school or college are a dime a dozen.

2. Question

   For example, Steven Spielberg started out at the bottom of the ladder because he failed to get into film school.

   A.

   For example, Steven Spielberg had few advantages because he failed to get into film school.

   B.

   Steven Spielberg started out at the bottom of the ladder because he failed to get into film school.

   C.

   For example, Steven Spielberg started out at the bottom of the ladder because he didn’t get into film school.

   D.

   For example, Steven Spielberg had a tough road ahead of him because he failed to get into film school.

   Avoiding Clichés: For the following sentences, choose the option that removes the cliché and successfully substitutes a better expression or restates the idea in more direct language. - For example, Steven Spielberg started out at the bottom of the ladder because he failed to get into film school.

3. Question

   He went to college for English instead but hit the road during his junior year.

   A.

   He went to college for English instead but skipped out during his junior year.

   B.

   He went to college for English instead but left during his junior year.

   C.

   He went to college for English instead but hit the road when he was a junior.

   D.

   He went to college for English instead but decided to split during his junior year.

   Avoiding Clichés: For the following sentences, choose the option that removes the cliché and successfully substitutes a better expression or restates the idea in more direct language. - He went to college for English instead but hit the road during his junior year.

4. Question

   McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc made a splash with the restaurant chain after quitting high school.

   A.

   McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc hit the jackpot with the restaurant chain after quitting high school.

   B.

   McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc struggled with the restaurant chain after quitting high school.

   C.

   Ray Kroc made a splash with the restaurant chain after quitting high school.

   D.

   McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc succeeded with the restaurant chain after quitting high school.

   Avoiding Clichés: For the following sentences, choose the option that removes the cliché and successfully substitutes a better expression or restates the idea in more direct language. - McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc made a splash with the restaurant chain after quitting high school.

5. Question

   Bill Gates has not done everything by the book, either.

   A.

   Bill Gates lived on the edge, too.

   B.

   Bill Gates hasn’t always followed the rules, either.

   C.

   Bill Gates danced to the beat of his own drum.

   D.

   Bill Gates hasn’t done anything by the book, either.

   Avoiding Clichés: For the following sentences, choose the option that removes the cliché and successfully substitutes a better expression or restates the idea in more direct language. - Bill Gates has not done everything by the book, either.

6. Question

   Yet, despite the fact that he dropped out of Harvard University, his Microsoft products sell like hotcakes.

   A.

   Yet, despite the fact that he dropped out of Harvard University, his Microsoft products fly off the shelves.

   B.

   Yet, despite the fact that he dropped out of Harvard University, his Microsoft products sell extremely well.

   C.

   Yet, even though he dropped out, his products sell like hotcakes.

   D.

   Despite the fact that he left Harvard University, his Microsoft products sell.

   Avoiding Clichés: For the following sentences, choose the option that removes the cliché and successfully substitutes a better expression or restates the idea in more direct language. - Yet, despite the fact that he dropped out of Harvard University, his Microsoft products sell like hotcakes.

7. Question

   John Travolta avoided school like the plague.

   A.

   John Travolta avoided school at all costs.

   B.

   John Travolta avoided school like he was allergic to it.

   C.

   John Travolta avoided school as much as possible.

   D.

   John Travolta avoided school because he was ill.

   Avoiding Clichés: For the following sentences, choose the option that removes the cliché and successfully substitutes a better expression or restates the idea in more direct language. - John Travolta avoided school like the plague.

8. Question

   The famous actor quit high school when he was sixteen, but now he is busy as a bee making movies.

   A.

   The famous actor quit high school when he was sixteen, but now he is busy making movies.

   B.

   The actor quit high school when he was sixteen, but now he is busy as a bee making movies.

   C.

   The famous actor left school when he was sixteen, but now he is busy as a bee.

   D.

   The famous actor quit high school, but now he is busy, busy, busy.

   Avoiding Clichés: For the following sentences, choose the option that removes the cliché and successfully substitutes a better expression or restates the idea in more direct language. - The famous actor quit high school when he was sixteen, but now he is busy as a bee making movies.

9. Question

   Similarly, Rosie O’Donnell high-tailed it out of Boston University before she graduated.

   A.

   Similarly, Rosie O’Donnell couldn’t get out of Boston University fast enough.

   B.

   Similarly, Rosie O’Donnell got out of Dodge and left Boston University before she graduated.

   C.

   Similarly, Rosie O’Donnell left Boston University before she graduated.

   D.

   Rosie O’Donnell couldn’t wait to get out of Boston University.

   Avoiding Clichés: For the following sentences, choose the option that removes the cliché and successfully substitutes a better expression or restates the idea in more direct language. - Similarly, Rosie O’Donnell high-tailed it out of Boston University before she graduated.

10. Question

    Now O’Donnell is a one-in-a-million comedian who has also been a popular talk-show host.

    A.

    Now O’Donnell is a one-in-a-million comedian and talk show host.

    B.

    Now O’Donnell is a unique comedian who has also been a popular talk-show host.

    C.

    Now O’Donnell is a whip-smart comedian who has also been a popular talk-show host.

    D.

    Now O’Donnell is a midlevel comedian who was once a talk-show host.

    Avoiding Clichés: For the following sentences, choose the option that removes the cliché and successfully substitutes a better expression or restates the idea in more direct language. - Now O’Donnell is a one-in-a-million comedian who has also been a popular talk-show host.