In the following question, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to be on cloud nine”.

Introduction / Context:
Idiomatic expressions like “to be on cloud nine” are widely used in conversational English and in media such as films, songs, and newspapers. They give language a colorful, expressive quality and often appear in competitive examinations to test whether candidates understand natural, everyday English. This idiom describes a specific emotional state, so the key is to connect it with the feeling it most commonly represents in real usage.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Idiom: “to be on cloud nine”. - Options represent various emotional or situational meanings. - We assume the common modern English meaning of the idiom, not any rare or historical usage. - The task is to select the option that best captures that meaning.

Concept / Approach:
The phrase “on cloud nine” paints a picture of someone so happy that it feels like they are floating high above everyday life. It is a metaphorical way of saying they are very joyful, delighted, or over the moon about something, such as success in exams, a promotion, or some personal achievement. It does not literally refer to alcohol intoxication, simple luck, or a final attempt at something. The idiom is strongly associated with intense happiness.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall the general meaning of the idiom from common usage: “She was on cloud nine when she received the award” clearly suggests extreme happiness. 2. Evaluate the options one by one: - Option A: “To be extremely happy” matches this usage directly. - Option B: “To feel lucky” is related but weaker; a person can feel lucky without being intensely joyful. - Option C: “To experience the feeling of being intoxicated” refers to effects of alcohol, which is not the standard meaning of the idiom. - Option D: “To make one last attempt” refers to a final effort, which is unrelated. 3. Therefore, option A best expresses the meaning of “to be on cloud nine”.

Verification / Alternative check:
Substitute the idiom in a sentence with the proposed meaning. For example, “After getting her dream job, she was on cloud nine” can be rephrased as “After getting her dream job, she was extremely happy.” The sense remains the same. However, if you tried “she felt lucky” or “she experienced intoxication,” the emotional tone and intent of the idiom would not match the context in most situations, confirming that extreme happiness is the correct interpretation.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Option B: Suggests luck rather than pure happiness. A person may feel lucky but still be calm and not “on cloud nine”. - Option C: Focuses on the physical and mental effects of alcohol, which is not implied in this idiom. - Option D: Describes persistence or making a final effort, which is conceptually far from the idea of joy.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners misinterpret idioms by connecting them with literal meanings of words like “cloud,” which could suggest dreaming, confusion, or intoxication. However, idioms must be learned as whole units, not by translating each word literally. Another mistake is choosing an option that is somewhat positive but not precise. Examinations often include partially related distractors, so always look for the option that captures the full strength and typical usage of the idiom.

Final Answer:
The idiom “to be on cloud nine” means to be extremely happy.