Common Idioms for Memory and Mind Reading Answers

Common Idioms for Memory and Mind Reading Answers. In order to answer IELTS writing and reading sections, the candidates must learn different types of idioms. A variety of IELTS idioms falls under the category of ‘Memory and Mind’. These idioms are focused on the IELTS Reading section. Candidates will find different types of questions as they do in the IELTS reading section. In order to score good marks, use of common IELTS idioms can be undertaken by the candidates.

Topic: Memory and Mind

Exercise A

Complete the sentences with the words in the boxes. Some of the sentences have more than one answer.

1. Do you have the memory of an elephant or a ___________ like a sieve?

Answer: brain
Explanation: Having an excellent memory is what the expression "have the memory of an elephant" refers to.

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1. You are mad. Totally, completely and utterly off your ___________ .

Answer: head
Explanation: "Off your head" refers to someone who is extremely strange, silly, or hazardous.

2. He was behaving as if he was out of his ___________.

Answer: mind
Explanation: "Out of your head" refers to being completely insane or foolish.

3. The previous chapters will already have given you plenty of food for ___________.

Answer: thought
Explanation: The phrase "Food for thought" denotes that you give a subject a lot of thought.

4. Off the top of your ___________, what do you know about Vitamin C?

Answer: head
Explanation: "Off the top of your head" refers to a quick response and consideration of the opinion.

5. Rack your ___________ and tell me everything you know about him.

Answer: brain
Explanation: Rack your brain- while attempting to recall details.

Exercise B:

Decide if the sentences are true (T) or false (F).

1. If something crosses your mind, you forget about it.

Answer: False
Explanation: To cross your mind: When you instantly think of something, it is said to have crossed your mind. Example: The idea that she might be ill never occurred to me.

2. If something rings a bell, it reminds you of something.

Answer: True
Explanation: Rings a bell:If something makes you think of something, but you are unsure of what it is, it is said to be ringing a bell. Example: I remember seeing the sticker somewhere, but I'm not sure where.

3. If you have a gut reaction to something, you have spent a long time thinking about it.

Answer: False.
Explanation: A gut reaction: It is an immediate and powerful response. One definition of a gut reaction is an impulsive response that occurs without conscious consideration. Example: I got a gut sense that something was awry as I walked closer to the scene of the collision.

4. If you say something off the top of your head, you are very strange and dangerous.

Answer: False.
Explanation: Off the top of your head: A concept that has just come to you and not been given much thought is what is meant when you are going to speak off the top of your head.

Example: I can't think of his phone number right now, for instance.

5. If something is food for thought, it makes you think.

Answer: True.
Explanation: Food for thought: It alludes to a concept or notion that merits consideration. An idea or piece of information that can help you think critically about the subject is said to be "food for thought."

For Example, if you gave up your bad habits, you could save more money.

6. If you are racking your brain, you aren’t thinking very hard.

Answer: False.
Explanation: Rack your brain:When you are racking your brains, you are thinking really deeply or making a great effort to recall anything.

Example: He tried his hardest to remember everything, but he was unable to do so.

Exercise C:

Choose the best answer to complete the sentences:

1. ‘Do you know anyone called Frascati?’-‘Well the name is ______.’

Answer: rings a bell
Explanation: The phrase "rings a bell" refers to anything that you know about or have heard, but you can't place it in your memory.

2. Dr Barth, what is the greatest single thought that ever ______ ?’

Answer: crossed your mind
Explanation: The phrase "crossed your mind" refers to an unexpected memory.

3. ‘You don’t know anyone else who might be free?’-‘Not ______, no.’

Answer: off the top of my head
Explanation: According to the term "off the top of my head," if you are about to say anything, it suggests you haven't given it much consideration and that it just came to you suddenly.

4. I’m just trying to remember his name; it’s ______.

Answer: on the tip of my tongue
Explanation: On the tip of my tongue is an expression used when you are about to say something but stop yourself.

5. Did you ask me a question? I’m sorry, I was ______.’

Answer: miles away
Explanation: "Miles away" refers to someone who is far removed from the subject matter.

6. Someone mentioned this point recently and I’m ______ to think who it was

Answer: racking my brains
Explanation: racking my brains - trying hard to remember something.

Exercise D:

Correct the idioms in these sentences.

1. Business has been very bad and the management seems to have racked the plot.

Answer: Business has been very bad and the management seems to have lost the plot.
Explanation: The ability to become disoriented, insane, or unable to handle a situation

2. You can withdraw money at other banks but bear in thought that they might charge a handling fee

Answer: You can withdraw money at other banks but bear in mind that they might charge a handling fee
Explanation: Keep in mind: To remind or warn of something crucial, or to "get off your head" and forget something crucial.

3. You are off your mind if you think I’ll help you commit a crime!

Answer: You are off your head if you think I’ll help you commit a crime!
Explanation: According to the idiom "off the top of his head," when you are ready to say anything, it signifies that you have not given the idea much thought before it just came to you.

4. Off the top of his mind, he couldn’t think of an excuse she would believe.

Answer: Off the top of his head, he couldn’t think of an excuse she would believe.
Explanation: Thoughts to ponder: It alludes to a concept or notion that merits consideration.

5. The after-dinner speaker provided us with plenty of thought food.

Answer: The after-dinner speaker provided us with plenty of food for thought.
Explanation: An idea or piece of information that can help you think critically about the subject is said to be "food for thought."

6. Her name was on the top of my tongue, but I just couldn’t get it.

Answer: Her name was on the tip of my tongue, but I just couldn’t get it.
Explanation: "Food for thought" refers to an idea or fact that can prompt you to consider a topic critically.

7. Personally, I trust my gut action to tell me when I’m right.

Answer: Personally, I trust my gut reaction to tell me when I’m right.
Explanation: It is an immediate, powerful reaction that comes from the stomach. One definition of a gut reaction is an impulsive response that occurs without conscious consideration.

8. It crossed my head that I hadn’t heard the children for a while.

Answer: It crossed my mind that I hadn’t heard the children for a while.
Explanation: The phrase "crossed your mind" refers to an unexpected memory.

Exercise E:

Choose the most appropriate option from A – H to say in each situation from 1-8.

1. It has crossed my mind.
2. You’re out of your mind!
3. It’s on the tip of my tongue.
4. The name rings a bell.
5. Sorry, I was miles away.
6. It’s certainly given me food for thought.
7. Thanks, I’ll keep it in mind.
8. It was just a gut reaction.

Situations:

1. Someone gives you a useful tip for your next trip abroad.

Answer: - G Thanks, I’ll keep it in mind.
Explanation: Think about it and keep it in mind

2. You’re telling someone about a thought-provoking talk you’ve just heard.

Answer: - F It’s certainly given me food for thought.
Explanation: Food for thought is a phrase used to describe an idea or thought that is worthwhile considering.

3. A friend has just told you about an extreme sport he wants to try and you think it’s too dangerous.

Answer: - B You’re out of your mind!
Explanation: Out of your head refers to being completely insane or foolish.

4. You’re trying hard to remember the answer to a quiz question.

Answer:- C It’s on the tip of my tongue.
Explanation: On the tip of my tongue is an expression used when you are about to say something but stop yourself.

5. A friend has mentioned someone’s name and asked you if you know that person. You aren’t sure but the name sounds familiar.

Answer: D The name rings a bell.
Explanation: Ring a bell?—something you've heard before

6. You realize that you haven’t been listening to something a friend has been telling you because you were thinking about something else.

Answer: E Sorry, I was miles away.
Explanation: miles away, totally oblivious to something

7. You have to explain why you burst out laughing when you saw your photo in the paper.

Answer: H It was just a gut reaction.
Explanation: The phrase "gut reaction" refers to making the right decisions.

8. Someone asks you if you have ever thought about working abroad.

Answer: It has crossed my mind.
Explanation: The phrase "crossed your mind" refers to an unexpected memory.

Exercise F:

Complete the table with idioms from this unit.

Answer: