Question 1

Idioms & Phrasal Verbs – Choose the option that best captures the meaning of the highlighted expression in context. Sentence: He “passed himself off as” a noble man.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your understanding of the English idiom “pass oneself off as,” which appears in the sentence: “He passed himself off as a noble man.” Idioms are fixed expressions whose overall meaning cannot be fully predicted from the individual words. Recognising the established sense of such expressions is essential for accuracy in reading comprehension and verbal ability. Given Data / Assumptions: The verb phrase in focus is “pass himself off as.” The subject deliberately presents a false identity or status. We must select the option that reflects intentional deception rather than passive public opinion. Concept / Approach: The idiom “pass oneself off as X” means to pretend to be X in order to deceive others. The key components are agency (the subject does it deliberately) and falsity (the claimed identity is not genuine). Options that describe how others regarded him, without implying his deliberate deception, miss the idiomatic meaning. Therefore, we should choose the paraphrase that preserves both intention and falseness. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the idiom: “pass oneself off as.”Recall its standard meaning: pretend to be; represent oneself falsely as.Compare options for agency and falsity: only “Pretended to be” encodes both.Eliminate options that merely report public perception (“was regarded as,” “was thought to be,” “was looked upon”). Verification / Alternative check: Substitute the best option into the sentence: “He pretended to be a noble man.” The sentence remains coherent and preserves the idea of deception. In dictionaries and corpora, “pass off” is consistently glossed as “misrepresent” or “present falsely,” reinforcing our choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Was regarded as: Describes others’ opinion, not his deliberate act. Was thought to be: Again, a passive public belief, not deception. Was looked upon: A perception phrase; no suggestion of pretense. Common Pitfalls: Learners often confuse who is acting and who is judging. If the structure is “pass himself off,” the subject is the deceiver, not merely the object of others’ views. Watch for the preposition “as,” which introduces the false role or identity. Final Answer: Pretended to be

Question 2

Idioms – Choose the option that best explains the meaning of the highlighted expression in context. Sentence: This matter has been “hanging fire” for the last many months and must therefore be decided one way or the other.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The sentence criticises prolonged inaction: “This matter has been hanging fire for the last many months.” The idiom “hang fire” originates from firearms whose powder ignited slowly, delaying the shot. In modern usage, it means a decision or action is pending or delayed without resolution. Given Data / Assumptions: Target idiom: “hanging fire.” Time frame: many months, implying unusual delay. Task: pick the closest paraphrase among the given options. Concept / Approach: “Hang fire” signifies that something is held up, pending, or stalled. The nuance is not necessarily that the issue is being actively discussed, nor that it is completely ignored; rather, progress is stuck. Among the options, “stuck up” (used here in the sense of “stuck/stalled”) best reflects the idiomatic meaning of a matter being held in abeyance. Step-by-Step Solution: Focus on the clue “must therefore be decided,” which presupposes indecision.Map “hang fire” → be delayed, remain pending, be held up.Evaluate options: “going on slowly” suggests some movement; “hotly debated” implies active discussion; “ignored” suggests complete neglect.Choose the stall sense: “stuck up” most closely conveys “held up.” Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase the sentence: “This matter has been stuck/held up for months and must be decided.” The meaning and tone remain consistent, confirming the choice. Reference works regularly gloss “hang fire” as “delay or be delayed.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: going on slowly: Implies progress, which contradicts the pending decision. hotly debated: Suggests intense activity, not delay. ignored: Means neglected, which is different from being pending or stalled. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “lack of decision” with “active debate.” An issue can be debated furiously yet still “hang fire,” but the idiom itself emphasises the delay, not the debate. Final Answer: stuck up

Question 3

Idioms – Choose the option that best explains the meaning of the highlighted expression in context. Sentence: In the armed forces, it is considered a great privilege to “die in harness.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The idiom “to die in harness” does not literally refer to horses. It is a figurative expression meaning to die while still actively engaged in one’s duties. In military culture, this can carry connotations of dedication and service, but the idiomatic core is about being on duty or at work at the time of death. Given Data / Assumptions: Domain: armed forces and duty. Target idiom: “die in harness.” We require the meaning that captures continued service at the time of death. Concept / Approach: Historically, “harness” refers to equipment for work or service. Thus, “in harness” generalises to “while at work/while on duty.” The option must express the functional state, not the location (battlefield) or moral evaluation (honour). Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the figurative frame: “in harness” = engaged in work.Match to meaning: “die while still working.”Exclude literal misreadings (horseback) and value judgements (with honour).Note that battlefields are one context, but the idiom is broader than place of death. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “considered a privilege to die while still on duty.” This keeps the military context but reflects the idiom’s general meaning, validating the choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: die on a horse back: Literal misinterpretation of “harness.” die in the battlefield: Too narrow; the idiom is about being on duty anywhere. die with honour: A value judgement, not the idiom’s definitional meaning. Common Pitfalls: Confusing connotation (honour, bravery) with denotation (state of being at work). Idiom questions usually demand denotative accuracy. Final Answer: die while still working

Question 4

Idioms – Choose the option that best explains the meaning of the highlighted expression in context. Sentence: The cricket match proved to be a “big draw.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: In event promotion and journalism, “a big draw” means something that attracts a large audience or generates strong public interest. The phrase focuses on pulling power rather than on the intensity of competition or aesthetic quality of the event. Given Data / Assumptions: Target phrase: “big draw.” Domain: sports attendance and popularity. We need the option that emphasises attraction of crowds. Concept / Approach: “Draw” here functions as a noun meaning “attraction.” Collocations include “crowd-puller” and “box-office draw.” Thus, the correct paraphrase must refer to audience appeal, not match outcome, artistry, or competitiveness alone. Step-by-Step Solution: Interpret “draw” as “attracting many people.”Select the option that names attraction directly: “a huge attraction.”Reject options that shift focus to contest quality, beauty, or resultlessness.Confirm with real-world usage: headline writers use “draw” to mean ticket or crowd appeal. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “The match turned out to be a huge attraction.” This keeps the intended meaning and common usage intact. Why Other Options Are Wrong: a keen contest: Relates to competitive intensity, not crowd appeal. a lovely spectacle: Focuses on appearance, not drawing power. a game without any result: Refers to a draw in outcome, which is a different meaning of “draw.” Common Pitfalls: Confusing “draw” (tie) with “draw” (attraction). Context about audience interest resolves the ambiguity. Final Answer: a huge attraction

Question 5

Idioms – Choose the option that best explains the meaning of the highlighted expression in context. Sentence: When he heard that he had once again not been selected he “lost heart.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The idiom “lose heart” refers to a loss of courage, confidence, or hope, especially after repeated setbacks. In the sentence given, not being selected “once again” signals discouragement rather than a single moment of sadness or anger. Given Data / Assumptions: Key phrase: “lost heart.” Background: repeated failure to be selected. We must choose the meaning that stresses diminished resolve. Concept / Approach: While sadness and anger are emotional reactions, “lose heart” specifically targets motivation and perseverance. The best paraphrase is “became discouraged,” which captures the drop in morale and willingness to continue trying after disappointment. Step-by-Step Solution: Map “lose heart” → lose courage/hope.Select “became discouraged” as the most precise equivalence.Reject “felt sad” (emotion only) and “became angry” (different emotion).Reject “became desperate,” which implies extreme, rash behaviour rather than loss of resolve. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “he became discouraged” reads naturally and preserves the motivational dimension of the idiom. Standard dictionaries gloss “lose heart” as “become discouraged.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: became desperate: Suggests frantic action, not simply low morale. felt sad: Too mild and focused on feeling, not perseverance. became angry: Wrong emotional direction. Common Pitfalls: Equating discouragement with sadness. Discouragement affects future effort; sadness may be momentary and not predictive of behaviour. Final Answer: became discouraged

Question 6

Idioms – Choose the option that best explains the meaning of the highlighted expression in context. Sentence: He was undecided. He “let the grass grow under his feet.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The idiom “let the grass grow under one’s feet” criticises delay and inaction. It suggests wasting time instead of acting promptly, often causing missed opportunities. In the sentence, his indecision aligns with procrastination rather than physical immobility or absence from a place. Given Data / Assumptions: Clue: “He was undecided,” signalling hesitation. Idiom: “let the grass grow under his feet.” We need a paraphrase that emphasises procrastination or dawdling. Concept / Approach: Among the choices, “loitered around” best conveys wasting time without taking necessary action. The idiom is metaphorical; it does not literally mean sitting still. It also does not mean leaving the scene. Therefore, select the option that most closely reflects delay and dawdling. Step-by-Step Solution: Anchor meaning: procrastinate; fail to act promptly.Choose “loitered around” = lingered idly, wasted time.Reject “sat unmoving”: overly literal; idiom targets lack of timely action, not posture.Reject “stayed out” and “moved away”: refer to location, not delay. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “He was undecided and kept dawdling.” This retains both indecision and delay, validating the choice as the closest fit among the options provided. Why Other Options Are Wrong: stayed out: Indicates absence, not procrastination. sat unmoving: Describes physical stillness, missing the action-timing nuance. moved away: Opposite of staying; unrelated to delay. Common Pitfalls: Interpreting idioms literally. The metaphor of grass growing simply highlights how long someone remains inactive in terms of decision-making and timely action. Final Answer: loitered around

Question 7

Idioms – Choose the option that best explains the meaning of the highlighted expression in context. Sentence: Although he has failed in the written examination, he is using “backstairs influence” to get the job.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The phrase “backstairs influence” is a pejorative idiom that implies gaining advantage through secret, underhand, or improper channels. In recruitment, relying on backstairs influence contradicts merit-based selection, especially after failing an examination. Given Data / Assumptions: Target expression: “backstairs influence.” Context: securing a job despite failing the written test. Need: a paraphrase that captures secrecy and unfairness. Concept / Approach: “Backstairs” evokes hidden corridors and private access, symbolising clandestine manoeuvres. The correct option must therefore include both secrecy and illegitimacy. Political influence or generic “backing” may be legitimate; “deserving and proper” directly contradicts the idiom’s negative evaluation. Step-by-Step Solution: Extract connotations: secret, underhand, improper.Match with options: “Secret and unfair influence” is exact.Reject neutral or positive-sense phrases (political, backing, deserving and proper).Align with context: using influence after failing indicates bypassing normal procedures. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “he is trying to use secret and unfair influence to get the job.” The sentence remains coherent and matches the idiom's standard gloss in dictionaries. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Political influence: Could be legitimate lobbying; does not imply secrecy or unfairness. Backing influence: Vague and not necessarily improper. Deserving and proper influence: Opposite of the idiom's sense. Common Pitfalls: Equating any kind of help or networking with backstairs influence. The idiom specifically attacks the unethical, hidden route. Final Answer: Secret and unfair influence

Question 8

Idioms – Choose the option that best explains the meaning of the highlighted expression in context. Sentence: Companies producing goods “play to the gallery” to boost their sales.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Play to the gallery” is an idiom meaning to behave in a way intended to win popular approval, often by appealing to mass tastes rather than to expert judgment or substance. In marketing, it implies flashy, crowd-pleasing tactics primarily aimed at sales and applause. Given Data / Assumptions: Target phrase: “play to the gallery.” Context: companies boosting sales. We need a paraphrase that captures deliberate pandering to popularity. Concept / Approach: The best paraphrase must include intention (attempt) and the object of appeal (popular taste). Mere “advertise” is too general; “depend upon the public for approval” is a truism about markets, not the idiom. “Cater to the public taste” is close, but “attempt to appeal to popular taste” more explicitly reflects the showy, crowd-pleasing strategy at the heart of the idiom. Step-by-Step Solution: Map the idiom: act for applause from the crowd rather than for substance.Choose the option that captures pandering: “attempt to appeal to popular taste.”Discard overly broad or generic alternatives (advertise, depend upon approval).Note: “cater to the public taste” is close but less explicit about performative appeal. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “Companies … attempt to appeal to popular taste to boost their sales.” This preserves the sentence's argument and idiomatic sense. Why Other Options Are Wrong: advertise: Marketing activity in general; does not equal pandering. cater to the public taste: Near-synonym but slightly less precise about the performative aspect. depend upon the public for approval: Trivially true of all sellers; not idiomatic. Common Pitfalls: Assuming the idiom condemns advertising per se. It criticises ostentatious, applause-seeking behaviour aimed at popular acclaim rather than merit. Final Answer: attempt to appeal to popular taste

Question 9

Idioms – Choose the option that best explains the meaning of the highlighted expression in context. Sentence: Since he knew what would happen, he should be left to “stew in his own juice.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The colourful idiom “stew in one's own juice” means to suffer the unpleasant consequences of one's own actions, often after being warned. The culinary image suggests being left in the mess one has created until it becomes uncomfortable enough to learn from it. Given Data / Assumptions: The subject acted with knowledge of the likely outcome (“he knew what would happen”). The recommendation is nonintervention: let him face consequences. We need a paraphrase that expresses accountability for one's own deed. Concept / Approach: Idioms of consequence focus on responsibility. The correct option must articulate that he should suffer because of his own act, not because of external forces. A literal paraphrase mentioning “juice” adds nothing; the evaluation must be moral and causal: cause (his act) → effect (his suffering). Step-by-Step Solution: Extract cause-and-effect: he acted knowingly; now he must face results.Choose the option that encodes consequence for one's own deed.Reject literal or partial interpretations (“Make a stew,” “Boil,” “Suffer in his own juice”).Confirm alignment with typical usage in discipline, parenting, or ethics. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “he should be left to suffer for his own act.” The sentence remains natural and true to the idiom. Standard glosses define the phrase as “to suffer the consequences of one's own actions.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: Make a stew: Literal cooking instruction; irrelevant. Boil: Physical process; lacks moral-consequence meaning. Suffer in his own juice: Merely repeats the figurative image without clarifying accountability. Common Pitfalls: Taking the culinary metaphor too literally or choosing a paraphrase that does not spell out responsibility. Exams reward clarity about cause and effect. Final Answer: Suffer for his own act

Question 10

Idioms – Choose the option that best explains the meaning of the highlighted expression in context. Sentence: The project did not appear to “hold out bright prospects.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The phrase “hold out” in business or planning contexts means “to offer” or “to present as a possibility.” When a project does not “hold out bright prospects,” it does not offer encouraging possibilities for success, profit, or growth. Given Data / Assumptions: Target phrasal verb: “hold out.” Object phrase: “bright prospects,” i.e., favourable possibilities. We need the closest single-word replacement in this collocation. Concept / Approach: Both “offer” and “promise” are close. However, “hold out prospects” standardly collocates with “offer” in the sense of “extend” or “present.” “Promise” leans toward an assurance or guarantee, which is stronger than the neutral “offer prospects.” Therefore, “offer” is the most accurate fit in this sentence. Step-by-Step Solution: Interpret “hold out” → offer/present as a possibility.Assess collocation: “hold out prospects” ≈ “offer prospects.”Differentiate from “promise”: implies commitment or guarantee.Discard “highlight” and “show”: these focus on display, not provision of possibilities. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “The project did not appear to offer bright prospects.” This preserves tone and business register, confirming the best choice. Usage guides often note “hold out hope/prospect/possibility” as “offer/extend hope or prospect.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: highlight: Means emphasise; not about providing possibilities. show: Too general; lacks the sense of offering potential. promise: Too strong; suggests guarantee rather than mere possibility. Common Pitfalls: Overinterpreting “prospects” as assured outcomes. Prospects are possibilities; “offer” correctly captures that tentative nature. Final Answer: offer

Question 11

English Idioms — Choose the closest meaning in context. Sentence: I am afraid he is burning the candle at both ends and ruining his life.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The idiom “burning the candle at both ends” is widely used in workplace English, exam passages, and wellness articles. It refers to exhausting oneself by working excessively, often late into the night and early in the morning, leaving little time to rest. The sentence adds a consequence—“ruining his life”—which reinforces the idea of self-destructive overwork rather than money waste or generosity. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: burning the candle at both ends. Context: warning tone (“I am afraid …”) and negative outcome (“ruining his life”). We must select the most accurate paraphrase among semantically close distractors. Concept / Approach: Historically, candles were valuable; burning from both ends would shorten usable time quickly. Figuratively, the idiom means overusing one’s time and energy by doing too much at once, usually with inadequate sleep. The best single-line substitute is “overtaxing his energies.” Step-by-Step Solution: Identify semantic core: continual overwork + insufficient rest.Check sentence consequence: “ruining his life” matches health/energy burnout.Map to option: “overtaxing his energies.”Reject options that shift to money or vague aims. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “he is overtaxing his energies and ruining his life.” This preserves tone and logic. Wellness guidance also frames this idiom as a warning against burnout and sleep deprivation, aligning with the chosen option. Why Other Options Are Wrong: wasting his money: The idiom concerns time/energy, not finances. becoming overgenerous: About giving; unrelated to fatigue. losing his objectives: Vague; does not express physical/mental exhaustion. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes misread the image literally, guessing about “money” because candles cost money. Focus on the idiomatic, not literal, meaning: chronic overexertion and neglect of rest. Final Answer: overtaxing his energies

Question 12

English Vocabulary — Choose the closest meaning in context. Sentence (corrected): The university will have to shelve its plans for expansion in view of the present situation.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: In institutional communications, “to shelve a plan” is a set phrase that commonly means to delay or put aside a project temporarily. Universities, businesses, and governments use this wording in press notes when conditions are not favorable. The sentence mentions “in view of the present situation,” which clearly points to a temporary deferment, not cancellation. Given Data / Assumptions: Verb under test: shelve (a plan/policy). Context: external situation forces a timing change. We must pick the most accurate single-word substitute. Concept / Approach: “Shelve” literally means to place on a shelf; figuratively, it means to put aside for the present, i.e., postpone. It does not usually imply permanent abandonment, whereas “cancel” would. “Discuss” and “reconsider” describe processes, not the action of delaying implementation. Step-by-Step Solution: Match collocation: shelve + plan = defer/postpone.Check context signal: “in view of the present situation” → temporary pause.Select the precise synonym: postpone.Reject process words and permanent outcomes. Verification / Alternative check: Replace in sentence: “will have to postpone its plans for expansion …” This keeps meaning and tone identical and is standard in administrative English. Why Other Options Are Wrong: cancel: Permanent termination; too strong for “shelve.” discuss: Not an outcome; merely talk about it. reconsider: Review again; may still proceed—does not capture delay. Common Pitfalls: Equating “shelve” with “scrap.” While related, “shelve” is the safer term for postponement; “scrap” aligns with “cancel.” Final Answer: postpone

Question 13

English Idioms — Choose the correct meaning. Sentence (corrected punctuation): Do not trust a man who blows his own trumpet.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The idiom “to blow one’s own trumpet” (also “to toot one’s own horn”) is common in conversational and media English. It describes self-promotion or boasting about one’s achievements. The caution “Do not trust …” suggests that such self-advertising may be unreliable or distasteful. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: blows his own trumpet. Pragmatic cue: admonitory tone (“Do not trust…”). We must map the image to the intended social behavior. Concept / Approach: Playing one’s own fanfare is a metaphor for publicizing oneself. The cleanest paraphrase is “praises himself,” which captures boasting. Options that refer to praising others or scolding others fail to align with the reflexive, self-directed nature of the idiom. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify reflexive sense: the subject advertises his own merits.Choose “praises himself” as the direct equivalent.Check sentence coherence after substitution.Reject options mismatching direction (others) or function (admonish). Verification / Alternative check: Replace: “Do not trust a man who praises himself.” This keeps the cautionary tone and social judgment intact, matching idiomatic English usage across exam prep texts and newspapers. Why Other Options Are Wrong: flatters: Usually directed at others; not reflexive here. praises others: Opposite direction. admonishes others: Criticizes/scolds; unrelated. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “flattery” (praising others) with self-praise. The core cue is “his own,” signaling a reflexive act of boasting. Final Answer: praises himself

Question 14

English Phrase — Choose the closest meaning. Sentence: He is out and out a reactionary.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Out and out” is a fixed intensifier in English meaning complete, absolute, or thorough. It amplifies the following noun/adjective. In the sentence, it emphasizes how strongly the person is a “reactionary” (someone opposing progressive change). The test focuses on the intensifier itself, not on the political label. Given Data / Assumptions: Target phrase: out and out. Modified noun: reactionary. We need the meaning of the intensifier alone. Concept / Approach: Common paraphrases of “out and out” include “thorough,” “complete,” “absolute,” and “unqualified.” The option “thoroughly” best captures this degree adverb sense. Options that express stance (“in favour of,” “deadly against”) interpret the political noun instead of the phrase. Step-by-Step Solution: Isolate the idiom: out and out → completely.Choose an adverbial equivalent: thoroughly.Check that meaning fits: “He is thoroughly a reactionary.”Discard options tied to opinion/stance rather than degree. Verification / Alternative check: Synonym swap: “an out-and-out success” → “a complete success.” The usage pattern confirms “thoroughly/absolutely” as the right mapping for the intensifier. Why Other Options Are Wrong: no more: Means “not anymore” or “no longer”; unrelated. in favour of: Expresses support; off-target. deadly against: Colloquial hostility; not the intensifier’s meaning. Common Pitfalls: Letting the noun “reactionary” distract from the idiom under test. Focus on the function of “out and out” as an amplifier of degree. Final Answer: thoroughly

Question 15

English Idioms — Choose the correct meaning. Sentence (corrected): I did not mind what he was saying; he was only talking through his hat.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The idiom “to talk through one’s hat” means to talk nonsense or talk without knowledge. It is a dismissive way to say that someone’s statements have no substance. The sentence signals indifference to the speaker’s words, which aligns with this idiomatic meaning. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: talking through his hat. Speaker’s stance: “I did not mind what he was saying.” Options cover several negative speaking behaviors. Concept / Approach: While ignorance and irresponsibility can accompany nonsense, the set meaning of the idiom targets the content’s worth: it is baseless or foolish. Therefore, “talking nonsense” is the most accurate single-phrase substitute. “Talking ignorantly” is close but narrower, focusing on the speaker’s knowledge rather than the utterance’s value. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify fixed idiom meaning from standard references: to talk nonsense.Align with context cue of disregard.Select “talking nonsense.”Reject partial or tangential meanings (ignorantly, irresponsibly, insultingly). Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “I ignored him; he was just talking nonsense.” This perfectly matches the pragmatic effect of the original sentence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: talking ignorantly: Might be true, but the idiom formally centers on nonsense, not merely ignorance. talking irresponsibly: Moral judgment, not idiomatic sense. talking insultingly: Concerns rudeness, absent from the context. Common Pitfalls: Choosing near-synonyms that are not the canonical gloss of the idiom. Examiners typically expect the textbook mapping “talk nonsense.” Final Answer: talking nonsense

Question 16

English Phrasal Usage — Choose the closest meaning. Sentence: The case was held over due to the great opposition to it.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The phrasal verb “hold over” in administrative, legal, and meeting contexts means to defer or postpone an item to a later date. This is routine when there is strong opposition or insufficient time. Understanding such phrasal verbs is essential for reading minutes, notices, and news reports accurately. Given Data / Assumptions: Phrasal verb: held over. Domain: a “case” facing opposition. We must choose the precise procedural outcome. Concept / Approach: “Held over” implies the matter remains active but is moved forward in time. That is exactly “postponed.” “Stopped,” “dropped,” and “cancelled” suggest termination or abandonment, which the phrase does not convey. Step-by-Step Solution: Parse phrasal meaning: hold over = defer.Check context: opposition → defer decision.Select “postponed.”Eliminate termination synonyms. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “The case was postponed …” The sentence remains natural and precise for court or committee communication. Why Other Options Are Wrong: stopped: Suggests halt, not rescheduling. dropped: Implies withdrawal/abandonment. cancelled: Indicates complete removal; too strong. Common Pitfalls: Assuming any delay equals cancellation. “Hold over” is explicitly about timing, not termination. Final Answer: postponed

Question 17

English Idioms — Choose the correct meaning. Sentence: In the organised society of today, no individual or nation can plough a lonely furrow.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The idiom “to plough a lonely furrow” comes from agriculture: a farmer ploughing alone creates an isolated furrow. Figuratively, it means to act independently, without support, often contrary to prevailing trends. In modern geopolitics and economics, the sentence argues that such complete independence is impractical. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom under test: plough a lonely furrow. Scope: applies to individuals and nations. We need the best paraphrase reflecting “acting alone without help.” Concept / Approach: Two options look close: “do without the help of others” and “survive in isolation.” The canonical gloss stresses proceeding or working without others’ help rather than the outcome of survival. Therefore, the more accurate operational paraphrase is “do without the help of others.” Step-by-Step Solution: Extract action sense: pursue a course independently.Prefer process (“do without help”) over end-state (“survive in isolation”).Select option B.Confirm logical fit within the societal context. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “no individual or nation can do without the help of others.” This preserves the author’s claim and aligns with standard dictionary explanations of the idiom. Why Other Options Are Wrong: remain unaffected: Not related to independence of action. survive in isolation: Outcome-focused; not the idiom’s primary emphasis. remain non-aligned: Political stance only; too narrow. Common Pitfalls: Equating independence with political “non-alignment.” The idiom is broader and operational—about proceeding alone without assistance. Final Answer: do without the help of others

Question 18

English Idioms — Choose the correct meaning. Sentence: It was he who put a spoke in my wheel.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “To put a spoke in someone’s wheel” is a traditional idiom meaning to obstruct or hinder a person’s progress. Imagine inserting a bar into a moving wheel to stop it turning—this captures the idea of interference rather than total destruction. The sentence attributes the obstruction to a specific person (“It was he …”). Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: put a spoke in my wheel. Intent: hinder progress, not necessarily ruin everything. We must choose the option that best reflects obstruction of execution. Concept / Approach: The sharpest paraphrase is “thwarted in the execution of the plan,” which indicates active interference. “Destroyed the plan” overstates the effect (total ruin), while “helped” is opposite in meaning. “Tried to cause an accident” misreads the wheel image literally. Step-by-Step Solution: Map imagery → hinder progress.Align with project language: thwart execution.Select option C.Reject literal or exaggerated interpretations. Verification / Alternative check: Replace: “It was he who thwarted me in the execution of my plan.” This is idiomatic and preserves the intended, non-literal meaning of obstruction. Why Other Options Are Wrong: tried to cause an accident: Literalizing the metaphor; wrong domain. helped in the execution of the plan: Opposite meaning. destroyed the plan: Too strong; obstruction does not always equal destruction. Common Pitfalls: Assuming metaphors involving wheels or vehicles are about accidents. Here the focus is deliberate hindrance, not mishap. Final Answer: thwarted in the execution of the plan

Question 19

English Idioms — Choose the correct meaning. Sentence: It is no longer easy to strike gold in Shakespeare's research since much work has already been done on him.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Strike gold” is used metaphorically in academic and journalistic writing to mean discovering something especially valuable—new data, a novel argument, or a unique insight. The sentence clarifies the domain (Shakespeare studies) and explains why it is difficult now (much prior work), which underscores the research metaphor rather than literal treasure hunting. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: strike gold (figurative use). Domain: academic research. Constraint: field saturation due to extensive scholarship. Concept / Approach: Among the options, only option D explicitly mentions “valuable line of argument or information,” matching research outcomes. Options A–C push literal or irrelevant readings (geographic location, physical gold, or a specific word in texts). Step-by-Step Solution: Identify metaphor domain: research discovery.Prefer phrasing that names scholarly value (argument/information).Select option D as the precise paraphrase.Reject literal misinterpretations. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “It is no longer easy to uncover valuable new arguments or information in Shakespeare studies …” This preserves the logic and tone of the original sentence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Hit a golden spot: Vague and literal-leaning; not scholarly. Come across gold: Literal material gold; irrelevant to research. Come across the word 'gold': Humorous red herring; not intended. Common Pitfalls: Forgetting that many mining metaphors in English (“strike gold,” “goldmine of data”) refer to intellectual discovery, not physical treasure. Final Answer: Uncover or find a valuable line of argument or information

Question 20

English Usage — Spot the intended meaning behind a misused word. Sentence (corrected): Sanjay is very diffident about passing the Civil Services Examination this year.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The original stem has a likely typo: “different” should read “diffident.” In entrance-exam English, “diffident” is a standard adjective meaning shy, reserved, or lacking in self-confidence. The sentence concerns Sanjay’s feelings about his chances of passing a high-stakes exam, so we must select the paraphrase that captures low confidence. Given Data / Assumptions: Corrected keyword: diffident (not different). Context: expectations regarding an exam result. We need the most accurate meaning from the given paraphrases. Concept / Approach: “Diffident about” directly maps to “lacking self-confidence about.” Options that express certainty or hopefulness contradict the meaning, and “reasonably certain” is especially opposite. Therefore option C is the precise match. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify probable typo and correct to “diffident.”Recall dictionary meaning: shy/reserved/lacking confidence.Select “Lacking self confidence about.”Reject options showing certainty or optimism. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “Sanjay is very lacking in self-confidence about passing …” This reads naturally and mirrors typical exam explanations where “diffident” is contrasted with “confident,” “hopeful,” or “certain.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: Dead sure of: Total confidence; opposite meaning. Very hopeful of: Optimism; not diffidence. Reasonably certain of: Moderate confidence; still opposite. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “diffident” with “different” due to similarity in spelling. Always verify the collocation “diffident about/of” meaning shy or lacking confidence in a particular matter. Final Answer: Lacking self confidence about

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