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pop quiz

pop quiz

19 3.4
A short surprise test that checks what students learned recently
  • noun
  • /pɑp kwɪz/
translation icon : prueba sorpresa
  • I expect you all completed your summer course work and you're prepared for a pop quiz?

This is the pop quiz that's going to be given orally.

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Examples

  • Do you check their reading with pop quizzes?

    Blog text (21)
  • I had a pop quiz in history today.

  • We're going to make this pop quiz real easy.

  • I got a really big pop quiz tomorrow.

  • Gonna be a pop quiz on Wednesday.

  • This is a tough pop quiz.

  • - Okay, people, pop quiz.

  • Here is a quick pop quiz:

    Blog text (19)
  • I do this by giving pop quizzes or writing assignments.

    Academic text (2005)
  • I had a pop quiz in history today to test what we learned last week.

Synonyms

quiz
vspop quiz
128 1.3

A short test with a few questions that students take in class

is given suddenly without warning to check recent lessons

Antonyms

2.1

Planned to happen at a set time

How Unexpected

pop quiz
19 3.4
quiz
128 1.3
scheduled
2.1

Surface Forms

pop quiz singular
pop quizzes plural

Morphology

pop + quiz

The meaning 'a short, unannounced test' is directly derivable from combining 'pop' (sudden, unexpected) with 'quiz' (a brief assessment). This compositional pattern is straightforward and common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The noun pop quiz comes from the image of a small test that suddenly pops up in class — a quick, unexpected quiz. That's why it means 'a short test given without warning'.