Language in context:
Read this information about cheating. Thinking carefully about the situation being discussed will help help you understand unfamiliar expressions better as you read. Try to guess the meaning of the expressions in bold print.
Academic dishonesty has become a big issue. Teachers always say, “Keep your eyes on your own paper. Anyone caught cheating will fail this exam!” They watch students like a hawk during examinations.
Some people complain that cheating is on the rise, that more and more students are cheating. They think it is easier and easier for students to get away with it. Some say teachers are even letting cheaters off easy.
Why are some students cheating more? Some students who cheat say, “We have to cheat in order to get ahead in life. Besides, everyone is doing it. It’s no big deal!”
Idioms used to talk about cheating incidents:
- to catch someone cheating
- to get away with cheating
- to let someone off easy
- to get ahead
- to watch someone like a hawk
- to keep your eyes on your own paper
- to be on the rise
Expressions used when talking about cheating:
- Everyone is doing it!
- It’s no big deal!
Using the expressions above, students created imaginary cheating incidents and posed for photos to illustrate their writing!
As you read these stories, look for the idioms and expressions in the lists above, think about the context of the stories, and try to guess what the expressions mean.