pop quiz

Meaning

A short, unannounced test or quiz given by a teacher. It is used to check if students are keeping up with reading assignments and paying attention in class.

Examples

• The biology teacher gave us a pop quiz on the reading we were supposed to do last night.

  The biology teacher gave us a pop quiz on the reading we were supposed to do last night.

• I hate it when professors spring a pop quiz on us without warning.

  I hate it when professors spring a pop quiz on us without warning.

• Luckily, the pop quiz was only five questions long and quite easy.

  Luckily, the pop quiz was only five questions long and quite easy.

• She got a perfect score on the pop quiz even though she hadn't studied.

  She got a perfect score on the pop quiz even though she hadn't studied.

• Our history teacher uses a pop quiz every now and then to make sure we are paying attention.

  Our history teacher uses a pop quiz every now and then to make sure we are paying attention.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The teacher made a pop quiz to us today.

  ✓ The teacher gave us a pop quiz today.

  Teachers 'give', 'administer', or 'spring' pop quizzes; they do not 'make to' students.

• ✗ I was surprised by a sudden pop quiz.

  ✓ I was surprised by a pop quiz.

  The word 'pop' already implies that it is sudden and unannounced, so 'sudden pop quiz' is redundant.

Related Expressions

Practice

• We walked into the classroom and the teacher immediately told us to clear our desks for a ___.

  💡 An unannounced short test.

  Show answer

  pop quiz

• I should probably do the reading tonight just in case there is a ___ tomorrow.

  💡 A surprise test to check homework.

  Show answer

  pop quiz