Exercices C1 : comprendre Les proverbes en anglais

Ces exercices vous permettent de mettre en pratique les proverbes anglais vus dans le cours. Testez votre compréhension de leur sens et de leur usage culturel.

→ Voir le cours : Les proverbes en anglais : cours complet

Exercice 1 : Quel est le sens de ce proverbe ?

Choisissez l'interprétation correcte du proverbe anglais parmi les quatre propositions.

1. What does 'The early bird catches the worm' mean?
   • A) Birds are better hunters in the morning.
   • B) Those who start early or act promptly gain an advantage.
   • C) Worms are only found at dawn.
   • D) Nature rewards patience above all else.
2. What does 'Don't judge a book by its cover' mean?
   • A) You should always read a book before buying it.
   • B) Covers of books are often misleading in bookshops.
   • C) You should not form an opinion based solely on outward appearances.
   • D) Literature is more valuable than visual art.
3. What does 'Every cloud has a silver lining' mean?
   • A) Weather phenomena always have a scientific explanation.
   • B) Silver is found in mountainous and cloudy regions.
   • C) Even in difficult situations, there is always something positive to be found.
   • D) Optimism leads to financial success.
4. What does 'Actions speak louder than words' mean?
   • A) Shouting is more effective than speaking calmly.
   • B) What a person does is a more reliable indicator of their intentions than what they say.
   • C) Physical gestures help communication in noisy environments.
   • D) Words are often misunderstood in conversation.

Correction

1. B) Those who start early or act promptly gain an advantage.
2. C) You should not form an opinion based solely on outward appearances.
3. C) Even in difficult situations, there is always something positive to be found.
4. B) What a person does is a more reliable indicator of their intentions than what they say.

Exercice 2 : Associez chaque proverbe à sa signification

Reliez chaque proverbe anglais à la vérité de vie qu'il exprime.

1. Match: 'Better late than never.'
2. Match: 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do.'
3. Match: 'Too many cooks spoil the broth.'
4. Match: 'A penny saved is a penny earned.'

• B) Having too many people involved in something often leads to a poor result.
• B) It is better to do something after the expected time than not to do it at all.
• C) You should adapt your behaviour to fit the customs of the place or situation you are in.
• C) Money saved through careful spending is just as valuable as money earned through work.

Correction

1. Match: 'Better late than never.' – B) It is better to do something after the expected time than not to do it at all.
2. Match: 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do.' – C) You should adapt your behaviour to fit the customs of the place or situation you are in.
3. Match: 'Too many cooks spoil the broth.' – B) Having too many people involved in something often leads to a poor result.
4. Match: 'A penny saved is a penny earned.' – C) Money saved through careful spending is just as valuable as money earned through work.

Exercice 3 : Complétez les proverbes anglais

Complétez chaque proverbe anglais en choisissant le mot manquant qui convient au sens transmis dans le cours.

1. The grass is always ___ on the other side of the fence.
   • The grass is always greenest on the other side of the fence.
   • The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
   • The grass is always yellower on the other side of the fence.
   • The grass is always browner on the other side of the fence.
2. You can lead a horse to ___, but you can't make it drink.
   • You can lead a horse to wine, but you can't make it drink.
   • You can lead a horse to milk, but you can't make it drink.
   • You can lead a horse to waters, but you can't make it drink.
   • You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.
3. Don't ___ your chickens before they hatch.
   • Don't sell your chickens before they hatch.
   • Don't cook your chickens before they hatch.
   • Don't counting your chickens before they hatch.
   • Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
4. A ___ in time saves nine.
   • A stitch in time saves nine.
   • A sting in time saves nine.
   • A stick in time saves nine.
   • A stitches in time saves nine.

Correction

1. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
2. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.
3. Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
4. A stitch in time saves nine.