Question 1

Idioms / Phrases – Choose the option that BEST explains the highlighted expression in context. Sentence: Some people now wonder whether we just pay lip-service or genuinely subscribe to democracy.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The expression “pay lip-service” is a common political and social idiom. It refers to expressing support in words while failing to act in ways that genuinely uphold the stated belief. In debates about democratic values, this idiom questions whether leaders and citizens merely talk about democracy or actually practice it through actions like free elections, rule of law, and civil liberties. Given Data / Assumptions: The clause contrasts “pay lip-service” with “genuinely subscribe to democracy.” The core meaning must capture insincere or merely verbal support. Only one option should match the idiom precisely. Concept / Approach: Idioms must be interpreted non-literally. “Lip-service” highlights the mouth (speech) rather than the hands (action). Therefore the best paraphrase emphasizes superficial or outward respect without substantive backing. The most accurate choice is the one that conveys insincerity or performative agreement rather than actual commitment. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the contrast: “pay lip-service” vs “genuinely subscribe.”Extract the implied meaning: words only, no action.Evaluate options for this nuance.Select the choice that explicitly mentions surface-level respect without real support. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute the choice into the sentence: “Some people now wonder whether we just show only outward respect or genuinely subscribe to democracy.” The sentence reads naturally and preserves the intended criticism of performative support. Why Other Options Are Wrong: pay oral tribute: too literal; misses the insincerity aspect. attach no value: suggests total disregard rather than hollow praise. remain indifferent: implies apathy, not performative endorsement. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “lip-service” with respectful praise. The key is hypocrisy or superficiality—saying the right things while doing little or nothing to uphold them. Final Answer: show only outward respect

Question 2

Idioms / Phrasal Verbs – Choose the option that BEST explains the highlighted expression in context. Sentence: Don't thrust your nose into my affairs.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: English abounds in idiomatic body-part expressions. “Thrust your nose into” someone’s affairs is a vivid, idiomatic way to say “interfere” or “meddle,” especially in a way that is intrusive and unwelcome. The speaker is asserting boundaries and warning the listener to stop interfering in personal matters. Given Data / Assumptions: The imperative “Don’t …” shows the action is undesirable. The focus is on private “affairs,” indicating privacy/territory. We need a paraphrase that captures intrusive interference. Concept / Approach: Body-part idioms often carry connotations beyond the literal image. “Nose” suggests poking around or sniffing where one shouldn’t. The best paraphrase must emphasize meddling that is officious—interference under the guise of concern or authority, but not invited or appropriate. Step-by-Step Solution: Map the image (nose → intrusion) to function (meddling).Check options for the nuance of unwelcome interference.Select the choice that explicitly states “meddle officiously.”Confirm that the imperative tone matches a prohibition against meddling. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “Don’t meddle officiously in my affairs.” This conveys identical meaning without figurative language. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Advise me about: advice may be welcome; this lacks the intrusive element. Be in opposition: relates to disagreement, not interference. Deal with: neutral handling, not nosy intrusion. Common Pitfalls: Interpreting idioms literally (thinking of a physical nose); ignoring the pejorative sense embedded in “thrust your nose.” Final Answer: Meddle officiously in

Question 3

Adverbs / Collocations – Choose the option that BEST expresses the meaning of the highlighted phrase. Sentence: He visits the doctor off and on.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Off and on” (also “on and off”) is a time-frequency adverbial meaning “occasionally” or “intermittently,” with gaps between occurrences. In healthcare contexts, it suggests sporadic checkups rather than a fixed schedule, which can matter for chronic conditions or follow-ups. Given Data / Assumptions: Target phrase: off and on. Domain: visiting a doctor. Required: closest frequency adverb in standard usage. Concept / Approach: Frequency adverbs carry distinct profiles: “regularly” implies a steady schedule, “everyday” (every day) implies daily frequency, and “occasionally” implies sporadic occurrence. “Never at all” contradicts the act of visiting. Therefore, the only accurate mapping is “occasionally.” Step-by-Step Solution: Recognize idiom: off and on = intermittently.Eliminate options tied to steady or extreme frequencies (every day / never).Match with the neutral, sporadic frequency “occasionally.”Confirm that the paraphrase preserves the intended meaning. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “He visits the doctor occasionally.” This is idiomatic and exact. Why Other Options Are Wrong: everyday: means daily; far too frequent. regularly: implies consistency, which “off and on” lacks. never at all: contradicts “visits.” Common Pitfalls: Confusing “everyday” (adjective meaning ordinary) with “every day” (adverbial time expression); here either way would be incorrect for “off and on.” Final Answer: occasionally

Question 4

Idioms in Current Affairs – Choose the option that BEST explains the highlighted expression. Sentence: The recent film “Secular India” has tried to keep the pot of the Muslim Women’s Bill boiling.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Keep the pot boiling” is an idiom used in political commentary and media criticism. It means to maintain public interest, excitement, or controversy so that an issue remains in active discussion. In the sentence, the film is said to have sustained debate around the Muslim Women’s Bill, ensuring it stayed newsworthy and contentious. Given Data / Assumptions: The idiom is applied to a legislative issue with social sensitivity. The verb “keep” signals continuation rather than initiation. The phrase must relate to public attention and debate, not literal cooking. Concept / Approach: Media and politics often use culinary metaphors. A “boiling pot” suggests continued simmering activity. The correct paraphrase emphasizes sustaining controversy or interest. Options that interpret the expression literally or redirect it to survival economics are inappropriate. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify idiom: keep the pot boiling = sustain interest/controversy.Discard literal readings involving pots or bills physically boiling.Select the choice that explicitly states “keep a controversy alive.”Check alignment with media discourse around sensitive bills. Verification / Alternative check: Replace the idiom: “has tried to keep the controversy about the Muslim Women’s Bill alive.” The meaning is preserved. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Earning enough …: unrelated to debate; that is a different idiom (“keep body and soul together”). Boil the bill / Boil something in a pot: purely literal, not idiomatic. Common Pitfalls: Taking press idioms literally; missing that “boiling” here signals sustained agitation in public discourse. Final Answer: Keep a controversy alive

Question 5

Idioms – Choose the option that BEST explains the highlighted idiom. Sentence: The robber took to his heels when the police arrived.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Take to one’s heels” is a vivid idiom meaning to run away quickly, usually because of fear or pursuit. In crime reports or narratives, it typically signals flight upon seeing the authorities, rather than any attempt to fight or hide effectively. Given Data / Assumptions: Event trigger: police arrival. Subject: robber seeking escape. We need the paraphrase that captures swift flight. Concept / Approach: Among common responses to danger—fight, flight, freeze, or hide—this idiom clearly maps to “flight.” The heel imagery emphasizes speed. Therefore, the answer must reflect running away, not attacking, hiding, or surrendering. Step-by-Step Solution: Recognize idiom: take to his heels = run off.Eliminate actions inconsistent with immediate escape (opened fire, surrendered).Differentiate from “hid himself,” which suggests staying put.Select “ran off.” Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “The robber ran off when the police arrived.” This maintains narrative logic. Why Other Options Are Wrong: opened fire: opposite of flight (fight response). hid himself: implies concealment, not rapid exit. surrendered: compliance, not escape. Common Pitfalls: Assuming “heels” implies stumbling or falling; the idiom universally signals running away quickly. Final Answer: ran off

Question 6

Proverbs / Fixed Expressions – Choose the option that BEST conveys the meaning of the proverb. Sentence: You cannot have your cake and eat it too.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This proverb warns about mutually exclusive benefits. If you “have” (keep) your cake, you cannot also “eat” (consume) it; once eaten, it is gone. In decisions, resources, and trade-offs, it means you cannot enjoy two incompatible advantages at the same time. Examinations often test recognition of this trade-off principle in everyday language. Given Data / Assumptions: The form is negative: “You cannot …” Two states are mutually exclusive: possessing and consuming. We must choose the option that states the core principle succinctly. Concept / Approach: The essence is “no free double-benefit” when benefits conflict. The clearest paraphrase is “have it both ways,” framed here to indicate you cannot. Among options, only one directly captures the impossibility of enjoying contradictory outcomes simultaneously. Step-by-Step Solution: Interpret metaphor: possession vs consumption are incompatible.Identify the abstract rule: cannot enjoy mutually exclusive advantages.Select the option that encodes this rule.Confirm fit with the proverb’s logic in decision-making scenarios. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “You can’t have it both ways.” This is a widely used direct statement of the proverb’s meaning in modern English. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Enjoy forever: permanence is not the issue. Run away from responsibility: unrelated moral dimension. Absolve yourself of guilt: different ethical topic. Common Pitfalls: Reading the surface image literally and missing the general rule about trade-offs; thinking it promises unlimited enjoyment rather than restricting it. Final Answer: Have it both ways

Question 7

Phrasal Meaning – Choose the option that BEST explains the highlighted phrasal verb. Sentence: The rebels held out for about a month.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: In military and negotiation contexts, “hold out” commonly means to continue to resist pressure, enemy attacks, or demands. It can also mean to refuse to yield during talks. Here, “for about a month” indicates a duration of sustained resistance rather than mere waiting or retreating. Given Data / Assumptions: The subject is “rebels,” implying conflict. Time span: “about a month,” implying prolonged action. We want a paraphrase that emphasizes continued non-yielding. Concept / Approach: Compare senses: “waited” lacks opposition; “retreated” indicates withdrawal; “bargained” focuses on negotiation, not necessarily resistance under pressure. “Resisted” unambiguously captures the notion of holding out against forces or demands over time. Step-by-Step Solution: Interpret domain: conflict or siege.Align “held out” with sustained resistance.Reject alternatives that lack the opposition component.Select “resisted.” Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “The rebels resisted for about a month.” The sentence remains coherent and precise. Why Other Options Are Wrong: waited: no implication of opposition. retreated: opposite of holding a position. bargained: may occur during holding out, but not the core meaning here. Common Pitfalls: Assuming “held out” equals “waited” because of the time phrase; the idiom’s essence is resistance, not passivity. Final Answer: resisted

Question 8

Idioms in Policy / Economy – Choose the option that BEST explains the highlighted expression. Sentence: The new economic policy is likely to run into rough weather.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Run into rough weather” is a metaphor from navigation, frequently used in business, policy, and project management to predict obstacles. It indicates that an initiative will face significant resistance, criticism, or operational roadblocks ahead. Given Data / Assumptions: Subject: a new economic policy. Verb phrase: “run into” suggests encountering, not causing. Weather metaphor: “rough” implies turbulence or storms (i.e., difficulties). Concept / Approach: Between “create” and “encounter,” the idiom always aligns with encountering external difficulties rather than generating them. The most precise paraphrase uses a neutral, formal phrase like “encounter difficulties.” Other choices either shift agency or dilute the idiomatic nuance. Step-by-Step Solution: Map the maritime metaphor to organizational risk.Note that “run into” = meet/encounter unexpectedly.Choose “encounter difficulties” as the closest formal paraphrase.Validate by substituting into the sentence. Verification / Alternative check: Replace: “is likely to encounter difficulties.” This reads exactly as many policy briefs would phrase the forecast. Why Other Options Are Wrong: create problems: flips agency; the policy may create problems, but the idiom predicts facing them. confuse matters: too narrow and specific. makes things difficult: incorrect grammar relative to the subject and less precise. Common Pitfalls: Confusing cause with encounter; treating the weather metaphor literally. Final Answer: encounter difficulties

Question 9

Verbal Meaning – Choose the option that BEST conveys the meaning of the highlighted phrase. Sentence: The old father brought home the moral of unity by asking each of his sons to break the bundle of sticks.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Bring home” an idea means to make it vividly clear or emphatic to someone—often through a powerful example or demonstration. The classic fable about a bundle of sticks illustrates the strength of unity: individual sticks break; the bundle does not. The father used demonstration to drive the point home. Given Data / Assumptions: Action: asking sons to break a bundle of sticks. Goal: convey the moral of unity effectively. We require a verb that captures clarity through emphasis. Concept / Approach: Among near-synonyms, “emphasised” means underscored or highlighted strongly. “Voiced” and “declared” refer to saying something, not necessarily ensuring comprehension. “Suggested” is tentative and weak. The demonstration “brought home” the lesson—made it emphatically clear—so “emphasised” is the best match. Step-by-Step Solution: Interpret “brought home” as “made emphatically clear.”Evaluate options for this strength and clarity.Choose “emphasised.”Test by substitution to check naturalness. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “The old father emphasised the moral of unity …” The sentence remains coherent and faithful to the narrative of the fable. Why Other Options Are Wrong: voiced: mere expression; impact not ensured. declared: formal announcement, not necessarily convincing. suggested: mild recommendation, lacks force. Common Pitfalls: Equating any act of speaking with effective persuasion; “bring home” implies stronger, memorable emphasis. Final Answer: emphasised

Question 10

Idioms / Risk – Choose the option that BEST explains the highlighted idiom. Sentence: If you give John all your money, you are likely to burn your fingers.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Burn your fingers” is an idiom commonly used in finance, business, and everyday cautionary advice. It means to incur loss, get hurt, or suffer unpleasant consequences due to a risky or unwise action, especially involving money or trust. The sentence warns about handing over all your money to John—a risky move likely to end badly. Given Data / Assumptions: The act: giving someone all your money (high risk). Outcome predicted: negative consequence. We need a concise paraphrase of the idiom. Concept / Approach: Because “burn your fingers” focuses on suffering harm, the best one-word paraphrase is “suffer.” It generalizes across financial loss, betrayal, or regret. Options about happiness or illness are off-topic; “unhappy” is too weak and affective rather than consequence-focused. Step-by-Step Solution: Interpret idiom: incur harm or loss due to a risky choice.Relate to context: giving away all money exposes you to exploitation.Choose the option that captures adverse consequence broadly—“suffer.”Confirm by substitution. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “If you give John all your money, you are likely to suffer.” This fits typical cautionary usage; in finance, one might say “take a bath” or “get burned,” both aligning with loss. Why Other Options Are Wrong: be unhappy: emotional state, not necessarily a concrete consequence. be happy: opposite of the warning. be ill: unrelated to monetary risk. Common Pitfalls: Interpreting “burn” literally; overlooking that the idiom is metaphorical for negative outcomes, especially financial. Final Answer: suffer

Question 11

Idioms & Phrases – Choose the option that best explains the meaning in context. Sentence: I am sure they will “fight tooth and nail” for their rights.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The expression “fight tooth and nail” is a common English idiom used in newspapers, exams, and everyday speech. It describes the intensity and determination with which someone struggles to achieve or defend something important—here, their rights. Understanding such idioms requires focusing on the figurative sense rather than the surface image of teeth and nails. Given Data / Assumptions: The context is a determined struggle for one's rights. The idiom is “fight tooth and nail.” We must select the closest paraphrase that captures effort and determination, not literal combat or specific tactics. Concept / Approach: Idioms compress cultural meaning into a vivid image. “Tooth and nail” evokes using every available means, implying total commitment. The expression does not necessarily endorse violence, weaponry, or cowardice; it simply intensifies the idea of striving as hard as possible. Therefore, the right option should reflect maximum effort and resolve. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the idiom's figurative core: absolute determination and strenuous effort.Match to the most direct paraphrase: “with all their might.”Eliminate options focusing on literal weapons or violence (“without any other weapon,” “resorting to violence”).Eliminate options contradicting the idea of courage and persistence (“very cowardly”). Verification / Alternative check: Replace the idiom: “I am sure they will fight with all their might for their rights.” The sentence remains natural and preserves the intended meaning. This paraphrase is found widely in standard dictionaries and exam prep keys for idioms questions. Why Other Options Are Wrong: without any other weapon: Misreads the idiom literally; idioms are figurative. resorting to violence: The idiom is about intensity, not necessarily violence. very cowardly: Opposite of the intended meaning. Common Pitfalls: Interpreting the image literally (teeth and nails) or assuming physical violence. The idiom emphasizes total effort, applicable to legal, verbal, or political struggles as well. Final Answer: with all their might

Question 12

Idioms & Phrases – Choose the option that best explains the meaning in context. Sentence: We were in a hurry. The road being zigzag, we had to “cut off a corner” to reach in time.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The sentence describes travelers pressed for time on a winding (zigzag) road. The phrase “cut off a corner” is a variant phrasing of “cut corners” in the sense of taking a shorter path or shortcut to save time. In route-finding contexts, it commonly implies choosing a quicker way rather than following a longer, winding path. Given Data / Assumptions: The travelers are in a hurry. The road is zigzag (longer and winding). The idiomatic phrase is “cut off a corner.” Concept / Approach: When the context is movement and time pressure, “cut off a corner” corresponds to taking a short cut—literally cutting across, instead of following all bends. Note that “cut corners” can also mean “do something cheaply or carelessly” in quality contexts, but the driving/travel scenario signals the navigation sense of a shortened route. Step-by-Step Solution: Read the cues: “in a hurry,” “zigzag road,” “reach in time.”Map the idiom to travel: choose a shorter path to save time.Select the closest option: “To take a short cut.”Reject alternatives that are either vague (“go fast”) or misinterpret the wording (literally cutting a portion of the road). Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “We had to take a short cut to reach on time.” This preserves the meaning, fits the context, and is widely idiomatic. Why Other Options Are Wrong: To cut a portion of the road: Literal misreading; roads are not cut physically by travelers. To go fast: Speeding is not what the phrase conveys; it is about route choice. To take an alternative route: Could be longer; does not guarantee time-saving like a short cut. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “cut corners” quality sense with navigation sense. Here, the time-pressure and road description select the shortcut meaning. Final Answer: To take a short cut

Question 13

Vocabulary in Context – Choose the option that best explains the meaning of the highlighted phrase. Sentence: Discipline is “on the wane” in schools and colleges these days.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “On the wane” is a fixed expression meaning that something is decreasing in strength, influence, or intensity. The sentence comments on discipline in educational institutions, claiming it is weakening compared to the past. Recognizing such set phrases is key to accurate comprehension in reading and exams. Given Data / Assumptions: Target phrase: “on the wane.” Domain: behavior norms in schools and colleges. We must select the option indicating reduction, not growth. Concept / Approach: “Wane” originates from the moon’s phases—waning means decreasing illumination. By extension, it describes any decline. Therefore, the best paraphrase is “declining.” Options that suggest growth, spread, or escalation contradict the idiom’s core meaning. Step-by-Step Solution: Interpret “on the wane” → in decline.Match the exact reduction sense: “declining.”Eliminate antonyms or unrelated growth terms: “increasing,” “spreading,” “spiralling.”Confirm with common collocations: “interest on the wane,” “popularity on the wane.” Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “Discipline is declining in schools and colleges these days.” The sentence remains natural and preserves meaning. Why Other Options Are Wrong: increasing: Opposite of wane (which is decrease). spreading: Implies wider distribution, not reduction. spiralling: Often means increasing rapidly or uncontrollably (e.g., costs, violence). Common Pitfalls: Confusing “wane” with “wane in popularity but wax in size.” Remember the pair: wane = decrease, wax = increase (as with lunar phases). Final Answer: declining

Question 14

Idioms & Phrases – Choose the option that best explains the highlighted expression. Sentence: In spite of the efforts of all peace-loving people, world peace is still “a far cry.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “A far cry” is an idiomatic expression meaning “very distant from being achieved” or “a long way off.” The sentence laments that world peace remains distant despite widespread efforts. The goal is to pick the paraphrase that emphasizes distance in realization, not philosophical nature or practicality per se. Given Data / Assumptions: Key phrase: “a far cry.” Topic: world peace as a goal. We need the option expressing distance from achievement. Concept / Approach: While options like “impracticable” or “abstract” talk about feasibility or conceptual status, the idiom centers on how far the current state is from the desired goal. “A long way off” is the standard idiomatic equivalence, focusing on remoteness rather than impossibility or mere theory. Step-by-Step Solution: Interpret “far cry” → very distant in achievement.Choose the paraphrase emphasizing distance: “a long way off.”Recognize that “out of reach” can imply impossibility; the sentence does not claim impossibility.Reject labels about nature (abstract, impracticable) that miss the distance emphasis. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “world peace is still a long way off.” This is a familiar journalistic phrasing and matches dictionary glosses of the idiom. Why Other Options Are Wrong: an impracticable idea: Suggests it cannot be implemented; stronger than the sentence implies. an abstract idea: Talks about concept versus reality, not distance to achievement. out of reach: Implies unattainability; the original statement stresses distance, not impossibility. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “far cry” with “far-fetched” (unlikely). “Far cry” is about distance from a goal rather than probability of a claim. Final Answer: a long way off

Question 15

Idioms in Context – Choose the option that best explains the meaning of the highlighted expression. Sentence: I felt that it was a “tall order” to expect Monisha to go home alone at twelve in the night.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “A tall order” is an idiom meaning a request or expectation that is excessive, unreasonable, or very hard to fulfill. The context—asking someone to go home alone at midnight—makes the expectation feel beyond what is fair or safe. We must select the option that best captures “too much to expect.” Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: “tall order.” Context: late-night travel alone. Focus: degree of expectation (excessive vs normal). Concept / Approach: While “difficult” is close, “tall order” often stresses that the request itself is excessive for the person or circumstances. It is not merely hard; it is asking too much. Therefore the most accurate paraphrase among the provided options is “Too much.” Step-by-Step Solution: Interpret the scenario: safety/time make the expectation unreasonable.Link to idiom: “tall order” → an excessive/overly demanding request.Choose the best match: “Too much.”Discard alternatives: “Customary” and “Simple” contradict the tone; “Difficult” lacks the “unreasonable” nuance. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “it was too much to expect Monisha to go home alone at twelve.” This preserves the intended meaning exactly and is a standard gloss. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Difficult: Only addresses hardness, not excess or unfairness. Customary: Opposite of the speaker’s implication. Simple: Contradicts the perceived difficulty and excess. Common Pitfalls: Equating “tall order” with any difficult task. The idiom typically adds the sense of being unfairly demanding, which “Too much” expresses best here. Final Answer: Too much

Question 16

Idioms & Usage – Choose the option that best explains the highlighted expression. Sentence: I cannot get along with a man who “plays fast and loose.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The idiom “play fast and loose” criticizes someone for behaving deceitfully, irresponsibly, or unreliably—often changing positions as convenient. The speaker refuses to get along with such a person, signaling moral disapproval of inconsistency and insincerity. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: “plays fast and loose.” Context: interpersonal trust and reliability. Desired meaning: lack of integrity and consistency. Concept / Approach: Historically, the phrase referred to a cheating trick. In modern usage, it means to treat rules, promises, or people carelessly and dishonestly. The correct paraphrase should therefore encode unreliability and insincerity, not mere bad manners, talkativeness, or luxury. Step-by-Step Solution: Focus on character traits implied: slippery, untrustworthy, inconsistent.Choose: “behaves in an unreliable and insincere way.”Eliminate: “has a loose tongue” (talks too much), “lives a life of ease and luxury” (comfort), “does not know how to behave himself” (generic misbehavior). Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “a man who behaves in an unreliable and insincere way.” This fits the sentiment and modern dictionary definitions of the idiom. Why Other Options Are Wrong: has a loose tongue: About speech, not duplicity. lives a life of ease and luxury: Irrelevant to honesty or reliability. does not know how to behave himself: Too broad and non-specific. Common Pitfalls: Assuming “fast” refers to speed and “loose” to morality separately. The idiom is a set phrase critiquing unreliable conduct. Final Answer: behaves in an unreliable and insincere way

Question 17

Idioms & Phrases – Choose the option that best explains the highlighted expression. Sentence: There is “no love lost” between two neighbours.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “No love lost between X and Y” is an idiom indicating that the parties strongly dislike each other. Although the phrase contains the word “love,” it actually points to mutual hostility rather than affection or indifference. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: “no love lost between.” Subjects: two neighbours. We must choose the paraphrase showing mutual antipathy. Concept / Approach: Because the wording can mislead, focus on established idiomatic meaning. In news reports or literature, this phrase consistently signals enmity or hostility. The best choice must therefore be “intense dislike.” Step-by-Step Solution: Identify fixed meaning: mutual dislike/hostility.Select “intense dislike,” which states the emotion plainly.Reject “close friendship” (opposite) and “cool indifference” (absence of feeling rather than hostility).Reject “a love hate relationship,” which implies mixed feelings—not simple hostility. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “There is intense dislike between the two neighbours.” This is the standard gloss from idiom dictionaries and usage guides. Why Other Options Are Wrong: close friendship: Direct opposite. cool indifference: Neutral, not hostile. a love hate relationship: Mixed affection/hatred; not implied here. Common Pitfalls: Letting the word “love” distort the meaning. “No love lost” is a negative-meaning idiom despite containing “love.” Final Answer: intense dislike

Question 18

Idioms – Choose the option that best explains the highlighted expression. Sentence: The question of abolition of private property is still a “moot point.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Moot point” in general exam English and British/Indian usage means a point that is debatable, open, or not yet decided. In the sentence, the policy question remains unresolved, hence still under debate. We need the best single-word match for this sense of ongoing deliberation. Given Data / Assumptions: Phrase: “moot point.” Context: public policy debate. We seek a synonym indicating unresolved status. Concept / Approach: Although in some American legal contexts “moot” can mean “irrelevant” or “no longer applicable,” the competitive exam sense aligns with “debatable/undecided.” Among the options, “undecided” is the most direct and widely accepted paraphrase in this register. Step-by-Step Solution: Determine register: general English/Indian-British usage → debatable/undecided.Match to option: “undecided.”Eliminate near-synonyms that are vague or off-sense: “uncertain,” “not clear,” and “unknown.”Confirm via common collocations: “remains a moot point” ≈ “remains undecided.” Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “is still an undecided point.” This reads naturally and preserves the intended meaning across exam contexts. Why Other Options Are Wrong: uncertain / not clear: Vague; do not specifically connote ongoing debate. unknown: Means not known, which is different from being debated. Common Pitfalls: Applying the American-legal sense (“no longer relevant”) universally. Exams typically intend “debatable/undecided.” Final Answer: undecided

Question 19

Idiomatic Usage – Choose the option that best explains the meaning of the underlined phrase. Sentence: This regular absenteeism is a “bad business” since no work is being completed.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: In everyday English, “a bad business” often functions idiomatically to mean “an unfortunate, troubling, or unpleasant state of affairs.” The sentence points to chronic absenteeism and explicitly notes that no work is being completed, highlighting a problematic situation rather than a literal commercial matter. Given Data / Assumptions: The highlighted phrase is “bad business.” Context is a workplace with regular absenteeism. The clause “no work is being completed” signals an undesirable situation. Concept / Approach: When “business” appears in idioms like “a nasty business,” “a bad business,” it typically means a disagreeable affair or episode. We must therefore select the option that captures “unfortunate event/situation.” It is not about harming a company’s profits specifically, nor about etiquette or interpersonal ill-will alone; it is about the overall unpleasant state of affairs caused by absenteeism. Step-by-Step Solution: Focus on idiomatic sense: “bad business” → unpleasant, unfortunate matter.Choose the option expressing this: “An unfortunate event.”Reject narrower or literal readings: “Bad for business” (financial emphasis), “Non-business like” (manner), “Creating ill-will” (interpersonal animosity).Relate back to context: absenteeism leads to a bad situation where work stalls. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “This regular absenteeism is an unfortunate state of affairs since no work is being completed.” This maintains meaning and tone consistent with idiomatic English. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Bad for business: Overly literal and financial; the sentence targets completion of work, not profit margins. Non-business like: Suggests unprofessional conduct; less accurate than calling it an unfortunate situation. Creating ill-will: Possible side effect, but not the central meaning indicated by the sentence. Common Pitfalls: Interpreting “business” strictly as commerce. Idiomatically, it often just means “matter/affair,” especially when modified by adjectives like “bad,” “nasty,” or “funny.” Final Answer: An unfortunate event

Question 20

Idioms & Phrases – Choose the option that best explains the highlighted expression. Sentence: When he tells stories about himself, he is inclined to “draw the long bow.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “To draw the long bow” is a literary/idiomatic expression meaning to exaggerate—tell stories in an overstated or far-fetched way. The sentence already suggests the topic is self-narrative, which is a classic setting for embellishment. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: “draw the long bow.” Context: telling stories about oneself. We need the option aligned with overstatement. Concept / Approach: The image of a “long bow” historically evokes feats that stretch credibility. Thus the idiom stands for stretching the truth. Among the options, only “exaggerate” directly encodes this sense. The others describe emotional states or the opposite action (understate). Step-by-Step Solution: Map idiom → exaggerated, far-fetched telling.Select “exaggerate.”Discard emotional but non-semantic matches: “get emotional,” “get excited.”Discard antonym: “understate.” Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “he is inclined to exaggerate.” The sentence remains fully natural and conveys the same idea. Why Other Options Are Wrong: understate: Opposite meaning. get emotional / get excited: Concern emotional tone, not truthfulness or scale. Common Pitfalls: Taking “long bow” literally or mistaking it for “long shot.” Here, the idiom points to stretching the truth, not mere improbability of success. Final Answer: exaggerate

Idioms and Phrases Questions