Basic Details
Word: Coal
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A black or dark brown solid material made from decomposed plants, used as a fuel for heating and cooking.
Synonyms: Black rock, fossil fuel
Antonyms: N/A
Idioms and Phrases
- Coal to Newcastle: To provide something that is already plentiful or unnecessary. Example: "Bringing more firewood might be as silly as bringing coal to Newcastle, where they have plenty."
- Burning the midnight oil: To work late into the night, often studying or working hard. Example: "She was burning the midnight oil, revising for her exams while everyone else was asleep."
Usage Examples
Example 1: In the past, many homes were heated by coal-burning stoves that provided warmth during the winter months.
Example 2: The old coal mine was once a busy place where miners worked hard to extract coal from deep underground.
Example 3: Today, we use coal to generate electricity in power plants that supply energy to our homes.
Fun Fact
Did you know that coal is over 300 million years old? It was formed from ancient plants that were buried and transformed over millions of years under heat and pressure!
Famous Quote
"The coal industry is a great employer and it fuels our economy." - Anonymous
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "coal" mean?
a) A type of tree
b) A solid fuel made from ancient plants
c) A kind of mineral
d) A type of fruit
Answer: b) A solid fuel made from ancient plants
2. Which of these is a synonym of "coal"?
a) Gold
b) Black rock
c) Water
d) Sand
Answer: b) Black rock
3. Which sentence uses "coal" correctly?
a) The coal danced around the fireplace.
b) We need more coal to keep the fire burning.
c) The coal sang a lovely song.
d) Coal grows on trees.
Answer: b) We need more coal to keep the fire burning.
4. Which idiom means the same as "coal"?
a) Burn the midnight oil
b) Coal to Newcastle
c) A horse of a different colour
d) As busy as a bee
Answer: b) Coal to Newcastle
5. What is the opposite of "coal"?
a) N/A
b) Water
c) Light
d) Wood
Answer: a) N/A
