Question 1

English Idioms — Meaning in Context Read the sentence-level prompt and choose the BEST meaning of the idiom. Prompt: Why must you “look a gift horse in the mouth”? (Interpret the idiom as generally used in English, not literally.)

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Idioms are fixed expressions whose meanings cannot be deduced simply by translating each word. “Look a gift horse in the mouth” is a classic English idiom derived from an old practice: buyers inspected a horse’s teeth to estimate its age and value. When a horse is a “gift,” examining its teeth for defects implies ingratitude. Modern tests of verbal ability ask you to map such cultural background to a concise meaning. Given Data / Assumptions: The expression is idiomatic, not literal. “Gift horse” indicates something received freely without payment. Typical use: scolding someone for nitpicking a free favor or present. Concept / Approach: The pragmatic force of the idiom is: do not criticize or over-scrutinize what you got for free. Thus, the meaning aligns with “finding fault with a gift” or “being ungrateful about a free benefit.” Among the given choices, we must select the option that best captures this negative attitude, not merely the act of inspection. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Recognize the historical image: inspecting a horse’s mouth to judge quality.2) Apply the social rule: it is rude to appraise a free gift for flaws.3) Map to options: the strongest paraphrase is “find fault with a gift.”4) Confirm that other choices either soften or alter the intent (e.g., mere “examine carefully” lacks the ingratitude nuance). Verification / Alternative check: Common admonition: “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” Rephrased: “Don’t nitpick a free present.” This matches the correct option precisely. Why Other Options Are Wrong: welcome a gift: Opposite attitude; expresses gratitude, not criticism.be fastidious: Too general; does not mention gifts or ingratitude.examine a gift carefully: Literal inspection, misses the social rebuke.refuse an unexpected favour: Different action; the idiom criticizes nitpicking, not refusal. Common Pitfalls: Interpreting idioms literally or picking a partial meaning such as “examine carefully.” The core is the discourtesy of fault-finding in something free. Final Answer: find fault with a gift

Question 2

English Idioms — Meaning in Context Choose the BEST paraphrase of the bolded expression. Sentence: “Dowry is a burning question of the day.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Phrases like “burning question” or “burning issue” are journalistic idioms that signal urgency and widespread public attention. In social-policy discussions, they refer to topics that are hotly discussed, contested, or debated in the present moment. Given Data / Assumptions: The collocation “burning question of the day” indicates currency and intensity. Domain context: a contentious social practice (dowry). We must select the single closest paraphrase. Concept / Approach: The idiom emphasizes heat (metaphorically: urgency and controversy). That aligns directly with “a widely debated issue.” Options suggesting decline (“dying issue”), irrelevance, or triviality contradict the metaphor. “A relevant problem” is too mild and lacks the “hotly discussed” nuance central to the idiom. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify the metaphor: “burning” → urgent, hotly debated.2) Compare candidates for intensity and recency.3) Select “a widely debated issue” as the crisp match.4) Reject weaker or contrary descriptions (dying, irrelevant, minor). Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase in news style: “Dowry remains a hot-button issue today.” This equals “a widely debated issue.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: a dying issue: Opposite of “burning.”a relevant problem: Lacks the “heated debate” aspect.an irrelevant issue / a minor historical footnote: Contradict the idiom’s emphasis. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “relevant” with “urgent.” Relevance does not imply widespread debate or immediacy. Final Answer: a widely debated issue

Question 3

English Idioms — Meaning in Context Choose the BEST meaning of the underlined idiom. Sentence: Leaders should not only make speeches; they should also be prepared to “bell the cat.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “To bell the cat” is an idiom that originates from a fable in which mice propose tying a bell to a cat so they can hear it coming. The plan is clever in theory but dangerous in execution. When used about leaders, the idiom challenges someone to step forward and perform the risky task others only talk about. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence contrasts speaking with acting. The idiom implies a hazardous undertaking. We must capture the idea of taking initiative in danger. Concept / Approach: The idiom means “to volunteer for a perilous but necessary action,” i.e., to take the lead where real risk exists. That aligns exactly with “To take lead in danger.” Options about making noise or mere alertness misread the fable’s moral; literally tying a bell reflects the story but not the idiomatic meaning in modern use. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Note the rhetoric: not just speeches → action.2) Recall the fable: plan vs. executor.3) Map to leadership: stepping up for the risky job.4) Pick the option that encodes both initiative and danger. Verification / Alternative check: Restatement: “Leaders must be ready to carry out the dangerous part themselves.” This equals the chosen meaning. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Tie a bell to a cat: Literal, not idiomatic.Be alert / Make noise / Delay action: Miss the core of risk-taking leadership. Common Pitfalls: Confusing the story’s literal act with the idiom’s figurative lesson. The idiom praises courageous initiative, not planning alone. Final Answer: To take lead in danger.

Question 4

English Idioms — Meaning in Context Choose the BEST paraphrase. Sentence: The popularity of yesterday’s superstar is “on the wane.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “On the wane” is a set phrase borrowed from the phases of the moon, where “waning” means decreasing in visible size. In general English, it signals decline in strength, intensity, or popularity. Entertainment reporting often uses it to indicate fading stardom or public interest. Given Data / Assumptions: Subject: a superstar’s popularity. Idiom: “on the wane.” We need a concise, accurate paraphrase. Concept / Approach: The core meaning is “decreasing.” Therefore, “growing less” is the best fit. “At its peak” is the opposite; “at rock bottom” is too extreme and final; “growing more” contradicts the idiom; “suddenly rebounding” introduces improvement not implied by the phrase. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Map the lunar metaphor to popularity: waning = decreasing.2) Choose the option expressing gradual decline.3) Eliminate antonyms and exaggerations that do not match the idiom’s nuance. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “The superstar’s popularity is fading.” This is equivalent to “growing less.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: at its peak / growing more / suddenly rebounding: Indicate increase.at rock bottom: Implies already minimal popularity, beyond simple decline. Common Pitfalls: Overstating decline as total collapse. “On the wane” means trending downward, not necessarily finished. Final Answer: growing less

Question 5

English Idioms — Meaning in Context Choose the BEST meaning. Sentence: “He is leaving the country for good.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Some expressions use the word “good” idiomatically. “For good” in standard English means “permanently,” not “for a morally good reason.” This item checks whether you can distinguish idiomatic from literal readings of common phrases. Given Data / Assumptions: Phrase: “for good.” Context: emigrating or departing a country. We need the idiomatic, not moral, interpretation. Concept / Approach: In this fixed phrase, “for good” = “forever” or “for good.” The presence of travel/relocation context strengthens the permanence reading. Options referring to motives (good cause, others’ good, health) or aspirations (better prospects) misinterpret the idiom by focusing on “good” as virtue or benefit rather than duration. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Recognize the fixed idiom: “for good” → permanently.2) Match with “for ever.”3) Rule out motive-based readings. Verification / Alternative check: Substitution: “He is leaving the country permanently.” This equals “for ever.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: for better prospects / good cause / others’ good / health reasons: These are reasons, not durations. Common Pitfalls: Treating “good” as moral value rather than a time adverbial in this idiom. Final Answer: for ever

Question 6

English Idioms — Meaning in Context Choose the BEST meaning. Sentence: He is an interesting speaker but tends to “go off at a tangent.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Borrowed from geometry, “go off at a tangent” describes a line that departs from a curve and never returns—figuratively, a speaker who suddenly departs from the main topic. In meetings and presentations, this behavior feels like abrupt subject-switching rather than mere verbosity or memory lapses. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: “go off at a tangent.” Domain: public speaking or lectures. We must capture sudden topic departure. Concept / Approach: The essence is topic-shift, not forgetting, not length, and not loudness. Therefore, “change the subject immediately” is the most accurate paraphrase. The other choices reflect different speaking problems and do not align with the tangent metaphor’s directional break from the main line of thought. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify geometric metaphor → abrupt departure.2) Match to discourse: sudden switch to an unrelated topic.3) Select “change the subject immediately.”4) Reject alternatives about memory, length, boisterousness, or inconsistency. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “He often digresses abruptly.” This equals changing subject suddenly. Why Other Options Are Wrong: forget things / go on at length / become boisterous / contradict himself: Different traits; not the tangent idea. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “digress” (topic shift) with “ramble” (long-winded). Tangent emphasizes direction change, not just duration. Final Answer: change the subject immediately

Question 7

English Idioms — Meaning in Context Choose the BEST meaning. Sentence: “He sold his house for a song.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “For a song” is a fixed idiom indicating an extremely low price—so low it is almost as if the payment was only a song. Real estate, vehicles, and collectibles are typical contexts where this idiom appears to underscore a bargain sale by the seller or a windfall for the buyer. Given Data / Assumptions: Object: a house (high-value item). Idiom: “for a song” → bargain-level cheapness. We need the option that captures the extremity of the low price. Concept / Approach: Among choices, “very cheaply” is the strongest, clearest match. “At a discount” can be modest and is too vague; “at a reasonable price” suggests fairness, not a steal; “at a premium” is the opposite; “after much negotiation” describes process, not price level. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Recall idiom: “for a song” = extremely cheap.2) Select “very cheaply.”3) Reject weaker or opposite price descriptions. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “He sold his house very cheaply.” This exactly preserves the idiomatic meaning. Why Other Options Are Wrong: reasonable price: Neutral, not especially cheap.discount: Could be small; not necessarily “song-level.”at a premium: Means more than usual; opposite.after much negotiation: Irrelevant to price level. Common Pitfalls: Equating any discount with “for a song.” The idiom emphasizes an unusually low, almost symbolic price. Final Answer: very cheaply

Question 8

English Idioms — Meaning in Context Choose the BEST meaning. Sentence: Despite the trust bestowed on the minister, he turned out to be “a snake in the grass” during the revolution.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The idiom “a snake in the grass” describes someone who pretends to be harmless or friendly while secretly plotting harm. In political narratives, it targets insiders who betray the cause from within. Understanding the idiom requires focusing on concealed treachery rather than mere bad luck or external threats. Given Data / Assumptions: Context: a trusted minister proved false during a crisis. Idiom: “snake in the grass.” We need the clearest one-phrase meaning. Concept / Approach: The best paraphrase is “a treacherous person,” which captures deliberate betrayal and hypocrisy. “A secret enemy” is close but slightly impersonal; the idiom usually points to a person acting treacherously while pretending loyalty. “Unforeseen danger” or “unexpected misfortune” shift the focus from a betrayer to events, which is not the idiom’s target. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify deception: outward ally, inward foe.2) Map to human agency: a betrayer, not an event.3) Choose “a treacherous person.”4) Eliminate impersonal or event-based distractors. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “He proved to be a betrayer within the movement.” This equals “a treacherous person.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: a secret enemy: Near, but misses the hypocrisy/insider nuance.unforeseen danger / unexpected misfortune: Event-based, not a person’s deceit.a naive supporter: Opposite of treacherous. Common Pitfalls: Confusing hidden danger from circumstances with conscious betrayal by a supposed ally. The idiom always centers on duplicity. Final Answer: a treacherous person

Question 9

English Proverbs — Meaning in Context Choose the BEST interpretation of the proverb as applied in the sentence. Sentence: “Women should be paid the same as men when they do the same job, for, surely what is ‘sauce for the goose’ is ‘sauce for the ga…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Proverbs condense social principles into memorable phrases. “What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander” asserts that rules applied to one group should apply equally to another, especially when circumstances are comparable. In the given sentence, the topic is equal pay for equal work across genders. Given Data / Assumptions: Context: equal remuneration for the same job. Proverb: equal treatment for comparable cases. We must pick the interpretation that fits this pay context most precisely. Concept / Approach: While the proverb has a broad meaning (option D), the sentence makes a specific claim about pay parity between men and women. Therefore, the best answer is the concrete application: “What is thought suitable pay for a man should also be for a woman.” Other options are either literal (B), too general (D), or add conditions not stated (E). Option C is close but vague compared with the explicit pay-focus in the sentence. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Extract principle: equal treatment in like cases.2) Bind to context: pay for the same job across genders.3) Prefer the option that states that pay parity directly.4) Eliminate literal or overly general restatements. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “If a man earns a given rate for a job, a woman doing the same job should earn the same rate.” This mirrors the chosen option. Why Other Options Are Wrong: B: Literal food image; irrelevant.C/D: Vague compared with the sentence’s pay focus.E: Introduces a stricter criterion than the statement (identical jobs vs same job already noted). Common Pitfalls: Choosing the general proverb meaning when a context-specific application is asked. Always tie the proverb to the given scenario. Final Answer: What is thought suitable pay for a man should also be for a woman

Question 10

English Idioms — Meaning in Context Choose the BEST meaning. Sentence: The party stalwarts have advised the President to “take it lying down” for a while.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Take it lying down” is an idiom found in political and sports commentary, meaning to accept criticism, defeat, or provocation without resisting or protesting. In party strategy, advisers might recommend a non-confrontational stance to let a controversy pass. Given Data / Assumptions: Subject: President being advised by party stalwarts. Idiom: “take it lying down.” We must select the meaning focused on lack of reaction. Concept / Approach: The clearest paraphrase is “to show no reaction,” i.e., to absorb criticism silently. While “to accept an insult without protest” is also accurate, the item asks for a general meaning in strategy terms; “show no reaction” captures the broader, neutral stance. Options about rest or general caution miss the idiom’s social-psychological dimension. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify the communicative act: not retaliating/responding.2) Choose the widest applicable paraphrase: no reaction.3) Reject literal interpretations (take rest).4) Distinguish from mere “defensiveness,” which can still involve reaction. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “They advised him to ignore the attacks and not respond.” This equals “show no reaction.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: be cautious: Vague; could include active steps.be on the defensive: Implies reaction, not silence.take rest: Literal, irrelevant.accept an insult without protest: Close, but narrower than the general political strategy conveyed. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “doing nothing” with “defensiveness.” The idiom recommends non-response, not counter-argument or even explanation. Final Answer: to show no reaction

Question 11

IDIOMS — Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom in standard English usage.  Sentence: 'The thief took to his heels when he saw a policeman on the beat.'

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Idioms condense rich meaning into compact phrases that cannot be decoded literally. The expression “to take to one’s heels” appears in crime reports, thrillers, and everyday storytelling to describe what a suspect does when trying to avoid capture. The sentence provides context: a thief notices a policeman “on the beat” (patrolling) and reacts immediately. Given Data / Assumptions: Subject: a thief notices a patrolling policeman. Idiom: “took to his heels.” Pragmatic implication: the thief wants to avoid arrest or questioning. Concept / Approach: “Take to one’s heels” is an established idiom meaning “run away quickly; flee.” It evokes the image of turning on one’s heels and sprinting off. Because idioms are non-literal, we should not interpret “heels” as physical pain. Instead, we map it to the notion of flight and evasion, a common collocation in police narratives. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify the trigger: presence of a policeman on patrol.2) Recognize idiom: “took to his heels.”3) Recall conventional meaning: to flee or run away.4) Select the best paraphrase: “ran away from the scene.” Verification / Alternative check: Substitute the idiom with its meaning: “The thief ran away when he saw a policeman.” The sentence remains coherent and natural, confirming the choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) Physical pain is a literal misread and not idiomatic.C) “Confronted” contradicts the idea of fleeing.D) Indecision does not match the decisive action implied. Common Pitfalls: Interpreting idioms literally or confusing them with similar-sounding expressions. Always check whether the phrase is a set expression with a fixed figurative sense. Final Answer: ran away from the scene

Question 12

IDIOMS — Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined phrase.  Sentence: 'He struck several bad patches before he made good.'

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The sentence uses two idioms common in career narratives: “bad patches” and “made good.” A “bad patch” is a difficult period; “to make good” means to succeed or establish oneself after struggle. The context is about setbacks preceding eventual success. Given Data / Assumptions: “Bad patches” refers to repeated phases, not a single event. “Made good” points to achieving success, typically in career or enterprise. We are likely discussing professional life, not agriculture or health. Concept / Approach: Interpreting idioms requires matching collocations and domains. “Bad patches” commonly collocates with business, jobs, or personal fortunes. The best paraphrase respects that domain: multiple professional difficulties before eventual success. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Decode “bad patches” → periods of hardship.2) Decode “made good” → succeeded, did well at last.3) Combine senses within a career frame.4) Choose the option that captures professional setbacks: “Had many professional difficulties.” Verification / Alternative check: Replace the idioms: “He faced several professional difficulties before he finally succeeded.” The meaning holds and reads naturally. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) “bad soil” misreads “patches” literally as land.B) “Had a bad time” is vague and misses the professional angle.C) “many illness” shifts to health and is ungrammatical. Common Pitfalls: Literalizing “patches” as ground, or ignoring the specific collocation “made good” which strongly signals career success. Final Answer: Had many professional difficulties

Question 13

IDIOMS — Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined phrase.  Sentence: 'The accounts of the murder made her flesh creep.'

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “To make one’s flesh creep” is a vivid idiom that evokes a physical shiver caused by fear, disgust, or extreme revulsion. The context—graphic reports of a murder—naturally aligns the idiom with horror rather than sadness or mere surprise. Given Data / Assumptions: Trigger: gruesome murder narratives. Physiological metaphor: creeping flesh = goosebumps, shivers. Emotional result: intense fear or revulsion. Concept / Approach: Idioms that reference bodily reactions (“turn one’s stomach,” “hair stood on end”) typically describe strong negative affect. The best paraphrase must capture that heightened horror, not simply tears or astonishment. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Recognize idiom meaning: provoke terror or revulsion.2) Check context fit: murder stories → fear and disgust.3) Select the option indicating horror.4) Validate that alternatives target different feelings (sadness, surprise, crying). Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “The accounts of the murder filled her with horror.” This preserves both tone and intensity. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) Sadness is not the core reaction to gruesome detail.B) Surprise lacks sustained fear/disgust.C) Crying emphasizes sorrow rather than shock or revulsion. Common Pitfalls: Confusing emotional categories. The idiom is primarily about fear/disgust, not grief. Final Answer: Fill her with horror

Question 14

IDIOMS — Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined phrase.  Sentence: 'How long will the people put up with the increasing economic hardships?'

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The phrasal verb “put up with” is a staple of everyday English. It means to endure or tolerate something unpleasant without protest, at least for a time. The sentence pairs it with “increasing economic hardships,” which fits the idea of reluctant endurance. Given Data / Assumptions: Phrasal verb: put up with = tolerate/endure. Object: economic hardships (an unpleasant situation). Pragmatics: the speaker questions the public’s patience. Concept / Approach: To decode phrasal verbs, consider both verb and particle. “Put up with” cannot be read literally; its idiomatic sense is fixed as “tolerate.” Options that imply welcoming, complacency, or ease miss the resistance embedded in the phrase. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify the verb–particle unit: put up with.2) Recall fixed meaning: tolerate or endure.3) Choose the precise synonym: “tolerate.”4) Reject distractors that imply positive acceptance. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “How long will the people tolerate the increasing economic hardships?” The sentence remains idiomatic and clear. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) “welcome” — the opposite sentiment.B) “take easily” — suggests minimal discomfort, not reluctant endurance.C) “remain satisfied with” — implies contentment, which contradicts “hardships.” Common Pitfalls: Translating phrasal verbs word-by-word. Their meaning is often non-compositional and must be learned as a unit. Final Answer: tolerate

Question 15

IDIOMS — Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined phrase.  Sentence: 'The teacher warned the student once and for all that no mischief shall be tolerated in the class.'

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Once and for all” is a fixed expression used to mark a final, decisive statement that settles a matter permanently. In classroom discipline, it signals that the rule has been made clear and will not be revisited. Given Data / Assumptions: Speaker: teacher; audience: student(s). Action: warning about mischief. Idiom: “once and for all” emphasizes finality and conclusiveness. Concept / Approach: Because the idiom encodes final resolution, the closest single-word paraphrase is “finally” or “definitively.” Tone words such as “angrily” or “coldly” describe how something is said, not its conclusive status. “Authoritatively” is about authority, which the teacher has, but it does not guarantee finality. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify the idiom and its fixed meaning.2) Separate tone from semantic content.3) Choose “finally” as the best one-word equivalent.4) Check that the paraphrase preserves the idea of a decisive end to debate. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “The teacher finally warned the student, making the policy permanent.” The sense of conclusiveness remains intact. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) “authoritatively” — about manner, not finality.C) “angrily” — emotion, not conclusiveness.D) “coldly” — manner/temperature of tone, not finality. Common Pitfalls: Confusing the emotional tone of a statement with its semantic force. “Once and for all” is about decisiveness, not mood. Final Answer: finally

Question 16

IDIOMS — Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined phrasal verb.  Sentence: 'I hope it will not put you out if I am late.'

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Put someone out” is a conversational phrasal verb meaning to inconvenience, trouble, or mildly irritate someone by creating extra effort or disturbance. The speaker anticipates being late and is politely checking whether that will cause inconvenience. Given Data / Assumptions: Polite register: “I hope it will not …” Situation: possible lateness causing inconvenience. Target meaning: mild irritation or trouble, not harm. Concept / Approach: Among the options, “irritate you” best captures the everyday sense of being put out. “Harm you” is too strong and physical. “Please you” is the opposite. “Worry out” is not idiomatic; “worry” alone would change the nuance to anxiety rather than inconvenience. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Recognize the phrasal verb “put out” with a person as object.2) Map to standard meaning: inconvenience or irritate.3) Choose “irritate you.”4) Validate by substitution in the sentence. Verification / Alternative check: Common paraphrases in service contexts: “Sorry to put you out,” meaning “sorry to trouble you,” confirms the choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) Harm implies damage beyond inconvenience.C) “please” contradicts the apology.D) “worry out” is nonstandard and semantically off. Common Pitfalls: Over-intensifying to “harm,” or confusing with “put out” meaning extinguish (as in “put out a fire”), which is a different sense. Final Answer: irritate you

Question 17

IDIOMS — Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined phrase.  Sentence: 'Govind has left his country for good.'

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “For good” is a concise idiom meaning “permanently; forever.” It does not mean “for one’s benefit” or “for a good cause” in this structure. The sentence states that Govind has emigrated with no plan to return. Given Data / Assumptions: Action: leaving one’s country. Idiom: “for good.” Pragmatic reading: long-term, permanent departure. Concept / Approach: Because idioms are fixed, “for good” should be decoded as “for evermore,” not “for a good reason” or “for improvement.” Options that imply temporary absence or specific motivations do not match the idiom’s established sense. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify the idiom in a migration context.2) Recall the fixed meaning: permanently.3) Select “forever.”4) Reject motive-based or temporary interpretations. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “Govind has left his country forever.” The sentence remains natural and precise. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) “for better opportunities” — a motive, not duration.B) “on an important mission” — purpose-specific, temporary.D) “to return soon” — contradicts permanence. Common Pitfalls: Misreading “good” as moral goodness rather than permanence in this idiom. Final Answer: forever

Question 18

IDIOMS — Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined expression.  Sentence: 'Sanjay was the real power behind the throne and all politicians were aware of this.'

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Power behind the throne” is a political idiom describing an individual who exercises real power or influence while another figure serves as the visible, official leader. It is common in analyses of court politics, party dynamics, or corporate structures. Given Data / Assumptions: Named figure: Sanjay. Public awareness: “all politicians were aware.” Hidden/indirect influence: implied by the idiom. Concept / Approach: The expression does not require a literal monarch or queen. It generalizes to any situation where a de facto power-holder operates behind a de jure head. The best paraphrase highlights “real control and power,” not merely advice or a formal title. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify the idiom’s metaphor: rule occurs from behind the visible ruler.2) Choose the option that states “real control and power.”3) Eliminate options limited to advisers or titular leaders.4) Confirm that the paraphrase fits both royal and non-royal settings. Verification / Alternative check: Historical examples (e.g., chief ministers, kingmakers) illustrate the idiom’s use where the influencer is not the official head yet directs decisions. Why Other Options Are Wrong: B) “acknowledged leader” — public head, not hidden power.C) “controlled the monarch” — too literal and narrow.D) “advised the queen” — advisory role lacks decisive control. Common Pitfalls: Equating advisers with ultimate decision-makers. The idiom stresses effective, not merely advisory, power. Final Answer: The person who had the real control and power

Question 19

IDIOMS — Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined phrasal verb.  Sentence: 'His friends let him down.'

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: In interpersonal contexts, “to let someone down” means to disappoint them by failing to give promised support or help. The sentence portrays betrayal or non-support by friends at a crucial moment. Given Data / Assumptions: Subject: friends (expected to help). Verb phrase: let him down. Implication: failure to meet expectations. Concept / Approach: The best single-word gloss is “failed” (specifically, failed him). Options that indicate the opposite—success or support—clearly do not match the idiom. “Comforted” is a positive, supportive action, also contrary to the sense of disappointment. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Map phrasal verb to standard meaning: disappoint; fail to support.2) Choose “failed.”3) Discard antonyms (“stood by,” “succeeded”) and unrelated actions (“comforted”).4) Recast sentence: “His friends failed him.” Verification / Alternative check: Common collocations: “don’t let me down,” “I won’t let you down,” i.e., I won’t fail you—confirming the mapping. Why Other Options Are Wrong: B) “comforted” — supportive, not disappointing.C) “succeeded” — unrelated; success does not capture betrayal.D) “stood by” — means supported; opposite of “let down.” Common Pitfalls: Ignoring the object “him,” which signals a failure toward a person, not a task outcome. Final Answer: failed

Question 20

IDIOMS — Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined comparison.  Sentence: 'I felt like a fish out of water among all those business tycoons.'

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The simile “like a fish out of water” is a widely used English expression meaning to feel out of place, awkward, or uncomfortable in an unfamiliar environment. The speaker is surrounded by business tycoons and evidently feels not at ease in that social setting. Given Data / Assumptions: Comparison: person vs fish removed from its natural habitat. Setting: high-powered business circle. Emotion: social discomfort rather than stupidity or moral judgment. Concept / Approach: The expression stresses environmental mismatch, not cognitive ability or status. While feeling “inferior” can accompany discomfort, the core idiomatic meaning is about being out of one’s element. Therefore, “uncomfortable” is the most accurate single-word gloss. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify the idiom’s image: a fish thrives in water; outside it, it struggles.2) Translate to human context: social or situational awkwardness.3) Select “uncomfortable” as the closest single-word meaning.4) Reject options that imply lack of intelligence or fixed inferiority. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “I felt uncomfortable among all those business tycoons.” The sense of being out of place remains clear. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) “troubled” — too broad; may imply worry unrelated to setting.B) “stupid” — attacks ability, not context fit.D) “inferior” — status-focused; not the core meaning. Common Pitfalls: Over-interpreting the idiom as a comment on intelligence or permanent status. It simply highlights situational unease. Final Answer: uncomfortable

Idioms and Phrases Questions