Question 1

English Idioms — Choose the closest meaning in context. Sentence (corrected): Vikram said that he had a problem to square up with the manager.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This item tests comprehension of the idiomatic phrasal verb “square up with,” which is common in workplace English and everyday negotiation. In professional settings, employees often need to “square up with” a colleague or a manager after a dispute, delay, or outstanding account. Recognizing the precise meaning helps you interpret emails, HR notes, and spoken instructions accurately. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence has been lightly corrected for tense: “Vikram said that he had a problem to square up with the manager.” Focus expression: “square up with (someone).” Answer choices: consider, discuss, settle, workout. Context suggests an unresolved issue between Vikram and his manager. Concept / Approach: “Square up with someone” means to settle a matter with that person. It can refer to clearing dues, resolving a disagreement, or concluding unfinished business so that both parties are “square” (even). While “discuss” or “consider” may occur during the process, they do not capture the core outcome of resolution. The verb “settle” precisely expresses closing the loop on a dispute or account. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the idiom: square up with = resolve/settle matters with a person.Check collocation: “square up with the manager” naturally implies settling dues or differences.Map to single-word substitute: “settle.”Confirm fit in sentence: “had a problem to settle with the manager.” Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrasing shows the same meaning: “Vikram said he needed to settle the matter with the manager.” Business English and accounting contexts also use “square up” for settling accounts, which supports choosing “settle.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: consider: Means think about; does not mean resolve. discuss: Means talk about; may precede a settlement but is not equivalent. workout: As written, this is a noun/spelling issue; even “work out” as a verb means find a solution, but the precise idiom here explicitly favors “settle.” Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes equate any conversation with resolution. However, “square up with” points to closing the matter, not merely debating it. Also note the tense correction: in reported speech, “said that he had …” is preferred over “has got.” Final Answer: settle

Question 2

English Idiom in Context — Identify the intended meaning. Sentence (corrected): Although both the parents have been running the show for the last ten years, their business is now on its last legs.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The phrase “on its last legs” is a well-known idiom describing something near failure or collapse. In business reporting and everyday speech, it signals that a company, project, or device is almost worn out or no longer viable. This question asks you to connect that idiomatic meaning with an option that best describes impending failure, not success. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence contrasts long-term effort (“have been running the show for the last ten years”) with current decline (“on its last legs”). We are selecting a paraphrase that captures near-death/near-collapse. Options contain both positive and negative outlooks. Concept / Approach: “On its last legs” means “about to die, fail, or give out.” In commercial narratives, it implies dwindling resources, loss of market share, or structural weakness. Therefore, the best paraphrase is “about to perish.” Options implying growth, results, or takeoff contradict the idiom’s pessimistic message. Step-by-Step Solution: Read the contrast: sustained effort vs. imminent failure.Recall the idiom’s dictionary sense: near collapse.Map to choice: “About to perish.”Eliminate optimistic distractors (fructify/produce results/take off). Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “their business is now about to perish.” The narrative remains coherent and reflects the grim prognosis signaled by the idiom. Business journalism uses similar phrasing when firms face insolvency or terminal decline. Why Other Options Are Wrong: About to fructify: Suggests bearing fruit; opposite sense. About to produce results: Implies success is imminent; contradicts the decline. About to take off: Suggests rapid growth; opposite of near collapse. Common Pitfalls: Misreading idioms by focusing on prior effort rather than current state. Regardless of past dedication, “on its last legs” always points to end-of-life condition for the subject. Final Answer: About to perish

Question 3

English Idiom — Choose the best substitute. Sentence: The time is running out; you must look sharp.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Look sharp” is a conversational British-English idiom meaning “hurry up,” “be quick,” or “move briskly.” It is often used to urge immediate action when a deadline is near. The preceding clause “The time is running out” strongly signals urgency, not caution or general prudence. Given Data / Assumptions: Clue phrase: “time is running out.” Idiom: “look sharp.” Options: be careful, make haste, be punctual, be sensible. Concept / Approach: The best single-phrase substitute is “make haste,” which directly communicates the need to act quickly. “Be punctual” refers to being on time at a future point, while “be careful” emphasizes caution that could slow action. “Be sensible” focuses on judgment, not speed. Idioms must be interpreted in their pragmatic context; urgency is the key here. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify urgency marker: “running out.”Recall idiom meaning: look sharp = hurry/move quickly.Select “make haste” as the direct equivalent.Reject non-urgent or misaligned alternatives. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “Time is running out; you must make haste.” This produces the same meaning and tone, frequently seen in exam directions and emergency instructions. Why Other Options Are Wrong: be careful: Emphasizes safety, not speed. be punctual: Concerns scheduled arrival; not immediate acceleration. be sensible: About prudence; unrelated to quickness. Common Pitfalls: Equating “sharp” with intelligence. In this idiom, “sharp” refers to briskness or quick action, not cleverness. Final Answer: make haste

Question 4

English Idiom — Identify the meaning. Sentence (corrected): He is in the habit of throwing dust in his superiors' eyes.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The idiom “to throw dust in someone’s eyes” means to deceive them or to create a distraction so the truth is obscured. It appears in literature, journalism, and corporate commentary to describe deliberate misrepresentation. The possessive form is corrected to “superiors’ eyes,” indicating plural superiors. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom under test: throwing dust in someone’s eyes. Target relationship: an employee versus his superiors. We want the closest meaning that captures intentional deception. Concept / Approach: While options B and D hint at visual obstruction or showing falsities, the standard lexical meaning is “to deceive.” The figurative dust prevents clear sight, symbolizing how lies or half-truths confuse a target. Therefore, option C is the canonical paraphrase used in exam prep and dictionaries. Step-by-Step Solution: Recognize metaphor: dust → obscurity of truth.Map idiom to single verb: deceive.Confirm workplace context: misleading superiors.Choose option C as precise meaning. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “He habitually deceives his superiors.” This is idiomatic and captures wrongdoing without unnecessary literal imagery. Why Other Options Are Wrong: To put sand into eyes: Literal; idioms require figurative interpretation. To make blind: Overstates the effect; deception need not be total blindness. To show false things: A symptom of deception, but the core meaning is broader—deception by any means. Common Pitfalls: Taking figurative expressions literally. Focus on the communicative intent—misleading someone so they cannot see the true state of affairs. Final Answer: To deceive

Question 5

English Term — Choose the correct meaning. Sentence (reframed): In modern democratic societies, “lynch law” sadly seems to intrude into various spheres of life.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Lynch law” historically refers to punishment or justice carried out by a crowd without due process of law. In civics and media discourse, the phrase condemns vigilantism and mob-driven punishment. The question asks you to pick the meaning that directly captures this extrajudicial, crowd-based “justice.” Given Data / Assumptions: Focus term: lynch law. The setting is “modern democratic societies,” where proper justice should follow legal procedures. We are selecting the definition that contrasts with constitutional/parliamentary law. Concept / Approach: “Lynch law” equals “mob law,” meaning the will of a crowd imposing punishment outside courts. It is the opposite of constitutionalism, due process, and legislated rights. Therefore, “law of the mob” is the most accurate, direct definition among the choices provided. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify that “lynch law” = vigilantism.Contrast with formal institutions: constitution and parliament.Select “law of the mob.”Note that “underworld” refers to organized crime, which is different. Verification / Alternative check: Replace the phrase in context: “mob law seems to intrude into various spheres of life.” The sentence retains meaning and underlines the threat to rule-of-law norms. Why Other Options Are Wrong: law of the underworld: Crime syndicates; not exactly the same as mob vigilantism. law of the constitution: Formal legal framework; opposite meaning. law of the parliament: Statutory law; opposite meaning. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “mob” with “underworld.” The former is spontaneous or crowd-driven; the latter is organized criminal enterprise. “Lynch law” points to the mob, not mafia-style governance. Final Answer: law of the mob

Question 6

English Phrase in Context — Choose the closest meaning. Sentence: He was in high spirits when I met him in the restaurant.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “In high spirits” is a widely used expression to describe a cheerful, lively, or joyous mood. It appears in fiction, news features, and everyday conversation. The setting (meeting someone at a restaurant) is neutral; nothing in the sentence points to intoxication or confusion, so the meaning should be taken as happiness rather than inebriation. Given Data / Assumptions: Key phrase: in high spirits. Neutral social setting: a restaurant. We must choose the most common idiomatic sense. Concept / Approach: Dictionary definitions of “in high spirits” emphasize cheerfulness and good humor. Although colloquial contexts sometimes link “spirits” to alcohol, the idiom by itself does not imply drunkenness. Therefore, “He was very cheerful” is the best paraphrase. Other choices either pathologize speech (“incoherently”) or suggest introspection (“deeply engrossed”), which the sentence does not support. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify idiom: in high spirits = very cheerful.Check for alcohol cues: none present; avoid over-reading “spirits.”Select option B.Reject unrelated mental-state options. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase smoothly: “He was very cheerful when I met him in the restaurant.” This maintains the sentence’s friendly tone and naturalness across registers. Why Other Options Are Wrong: He was in a drunken state: Unsupported by context; “spirits” here does not mean alcohol. He talked incoherently: Incoherence is not implied by “high spirits.” He was deeply engrossed in thoughts: Opposite mood; withdrawn rather than lively. Common Pitfalls: Over-associating “spirits” with liquor. Idioms must be interpreted by their established meanings unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. Final Answer: He was very cheerful

Question 7

English Idiom — Determine the best paraphrase. Sentence (corrected punctuation): In his youth, he was practically rolling in money.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The idiom “rolling in money” (or “rolling in it”) is a vivid way to say someone is very wealthy. It appears frequently in biographies, profiles, and journalism about affluent individuals. This question asks you to identify the direct paraphrase that captures the idea of abundant wealth, not spending behavior or financial imprudence. Given Data / Assumptions: The time frame is “in his youth,” indicating a period of wealth. Idiom: rolling in money = extremely rich. Options mix wealth status with behaviors like spending and borrowing. Concept / Approach: The idiom focuses on the level of wealth, not the manner of handling it. Therefore, “Very rich” is the precise paraphrase. Options about “spending more than income,” “borrowing money,” or “wasting money” describe financial habits, which may or may not be true of rich people and are not inherent in the idiom’s meaning. Step-by-Step Solution: Map idiom → abundance of wealth.Choose the status descriptor “Very rich.”Eliminate behavior-based distractors.Confirm coherence in context. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “he was very rich in his youth.” The statement remains clear and idiomatic in biographies and personal narratives. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Spending more than his income: Could describe debt; not implied. Borrowing money liberally: Opposite of being rich. Wasting a lot of money: A behavior, not the wealth level itself. Common Pitfalls: Confusing idioms about status with those about habits. “Rolling in money” expresses wealth magnitude, not financial management style. Final Answer: Very rich

Question 8

English Collocation — Identify the best meaning. Sentence (corrected): Jaya had a chequered career since I first knew him as an office assistant in the insurance company.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Chequered career” is a fixed collocation in British/Indian English indicating a career marked by varied, alternating phases—successes and setbacks, different roles, or mixed fortunes. It does not necessarily carry a negative judgment; rather, it emphasizes variety and contrasts across time. This question asks for the choice that captures that breadth of experience. Given Data / Assumptions: Key collocation: chequered career. Narrative frame: Jaya began as an office assistant and later had diverse experiences. We need a meaning that reflects variation, not merely income or a single task. Concept / Approach: The most accurate paraphrase is “Had a variety of jobs and experiences.” The checkerboard metaphor suggests alternating colors/fortunes—ups and downs or different phases. Options about earning more money or signing cheques misunderstand “chequered.” “Did odd jobs” narrows the meaning to casual, low-skill tasks, which is not required by the collocation. Step-by-Step Solution: Interpret metaphor: chequered = mixed/varied phases.Match to broad career variety, not a single dimension like pay.Select option A.Reject literal and overly narrow readings. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “Jaya’s career has been varied, with different roles and outcomes.” This reflects the standard dictionary explanation and the biographical context implied by the sentence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A career which helped him make lot of money: Focuses on income; “chequered” does not imply wealth. A career where he signed a lot of cheques: Literal wordplay on “cheque,” which is unrelated. Did odd jobs: Too narrow; “chequered” spans a whole career, not just temporary work. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “chequered” with “cheque” due to spelling similarity. Remember the metaphor comes from checkerboards, not banking. Final Answer: Had a variety of jobs and experiences

Question 9

English Idiom — Choose the closest meaning. Sentence: The sight of the accident made my flesh creep.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Make one’s flesh creep” is a vivid idiom describing a strong feeling of fear, horror, or revulsion—often producing goosebumps. It appears in narratives about accidents, horrors, or shocking scenes. The question asks for the best paraphrase that captures this intense emotional reaction. Given Data / Assumptions: Trigger: “The sight of the accident.” Idiom: made my flesh creep. We must choose the response that matches fear/revulsion rather than mere concern or curiosity. Concept / Approach: The idiom directly maps to “frightened me” or “gave me the creeps.” It indicates a visceral, physical sensation of fear. “Worried me” is weaker and more cognitive; “confused me” is about comprehension; “draw my attention” is neutral. Therefore, the precise paraphrase here is “frightened me.” Step-by-Step Solution: Recognize the emotional intensity signaled by the idiom.Map to the fear/horror field: frightened me.Eliminate weak or unrelated affective states (worry/confusion/attention).Confirm fit with an accident scene. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “The sight of the accident frightened me.” This retains the emotional tone and explains the physical reaction of “creeps” in plain English. Why Other Options Are Wrong: draw my attention: Neutral noticing; not emotional. confused me: Cognitive state; not fear. worried me: Mild concern compared to horror; not equivalent. Common Pitfalls: Underestimating the intensity of idioms about bodily sensations. “Flesh creep” is much stronger than “worry” or “confuse.” Final Answer: frightened me

Question 10

English Phrase — Select the correct definition. Sentence: There is no hard and fast rule regarding this subject.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The fixed expression “hard and fast rule” means a rule that is strict, fixed, and invariable. The sentence states that such a rule does not exist for the subject at hand. To answer correctly, you must know the definition of the phrase itself, not the negation used in the sentence. Exams often frame such items to test whether you know the core meaning independently of the context’s polarity (“no hard and fast rule”). Given Data / Assumptions: Focus expression: hard and fast rule. The sentence uses negation: “There is no …,” but we are asked for the meaning of the phrase. Options include both fixed and flexible interpretations. Concept / Approach: “Hard and fast” historically meant firmly fastened. In modern usage, it denotes something rigid and unchangeable. Therefore, the correct definition of a “hard and fast rule” is “a rule that cannot be broken or modified.” Even though the sentence says there is no such rule here, the dictionary meaning remains that the phrase describes strict invariability. Step-by-Step Solution: Ignore the negation for a moment and extract the phrase’s core meaning.Map “hard and fast” → rigid, fixed, invariable.Select option C as the definition.Reapply the sentence: “There is no rigid, invariable rule …” Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase the full sentence: “There is no rule here that is strict and unchangeable.” This is a common advisory line in manuals and classroom instructions when flexibility is allowed. Why Other Options Are Wrong: rule that is difficult: Confuses rigidity with difficulty. rule that is fat changing: Contains a typographical error and contradicts “hard and fast.” rule that can be broken or modified: Opposite of “hard and fast.” Common Pitfalls: Letting sentence negation flip your answer choice. Even if “no” precedes the phrase, the question typically asks for the phrase’s meaning by itself; then you can interpret the full sentence afterward. Final Answer: rule that cannot be broken or modified

Question 11

English Idioms — Meaning in Context Choose the BEST meaning of the underlined expression. Sentence: He went to his friend's house in the evening, as was his wont. Target word: wont (habit)

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Idioms and set phrases in English often preserve older words that are rare in everyday speech. The noun “wont” is one such word. It appears in literary or formal writing and means a customary practice or habit. In the sentence, the narrator explains that visiting a friend in the evening is something he habitually does, not a one-off decision made on that specific day. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence uses “as was his wont.” Register is slightly literary; “wont” is a noun meaning habit or customary behavior. The task is to choose the closest paraphrase that captures the habitual sense. Concept / Approach: To interpret idioms accurately, convert the archaic or formal term into a plain, modern synonym that preserves aspect and meaning. “As was his wont” literally means “as he was accustomed to do,” which in contemporary English is “as usual” or “as was his habit.” Any option that suggests a specific desire that day misses the key idea of regularity over time. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify the part of speech: “wont” here is a noun (habit), not the adjective “wont to” (accustomed to).2) Replace with modern phrasing: “as was his habit” → “as usual.”3) Compare options and select the one that denotes customary action rather than a single-time preference.4) Confirm that the sentence still reads naturally with the substitution. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “He went to his friend’s house in the evening, as usual.” The meaning and tone are preserved, validating the choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: as he wanted: Focuses on desire at that moment, not habit.as his want was: “Want” here means “desire,” and the construction is ungrammatical.as he wanted that day: Explicitly non-habitual, contradicts the idiom. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “wont” (habit) with “want” (desire). They sound similar but differ in meaning and grammar. Always check context—habitual vs momentary choice. Final Answer: as usual

Question 12

English Idioms — Meaning in Context Choose the BEST meaning of the underlined expression. Sentence: Why do you wish to “tread on their toes”?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Tread on someone’s toes” is a conversational idiom used in workplaces and social groups. It describes behavior that annoys, offends, or encroaches on someone’s role, rights, or dignity—often by interfering or criticizing where one is not welcome. Given Data / Assumptions: The speaker asks why another person wants to “tread on their toes.” We must infer a figurative meaning, not a literal physical action. Context suggests possible encroachment or offence. Concept / Approach: The idiom maps physical stepping on toes (which hurts) to social offense. Thus the plain meaning is “to offend/annoy by encroachment.” Good paraphrases include “to give offence,” “to upset,” or “to interfere in a way that annoys.” Options that imply literal kicking or passive attitudes miss the idiomatic target. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Recognize figurative language: toes → sensitivities/territory.2) Extract core meaning: causing offence by intrusion.3) Select the paraphrase that makes this explicit: “To give offence to them.”4) Ensure other options do not better capture the idiom (they do not). Verification / Alternative check: Rephrase the sentence: “Why do you want to offend them or meddle in their area?” This aligns with the chosen answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: To follow them grudgingly: Doesn’t imply offence to them.To treat them indifferently: Indifference is not encroachment.To be kicked by them: Literal and unrelated to the idiom. Common Pitfalls: Interpreting the phrase literally or confusing it with “step into someone’s shoes,” which means to take over someone’s role legitimately. Final Answer: To give offence to them

Question 13

English Phrasal/Set Verb — Meaning in Context Choose the BEST meaning. Sentence: He intends “setting up as” a lawyer in the adjoining district.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The set expression “set up as + profession” is common in British English. It means to begin practicing independently under one’s own name or business, especially in a trade or profession such as law, medicine, or accounting. The focus is on starting an independent practice, not merely relocating or joining someone else’s firm. Given Data / Assumptions: Phrase: “setting up as a lawyer.” Location: adjoining district (new market/client base). We must pick the option that captures independence and establishment. Concept / Approach: “Set up as” = establish oneself professionally. It is distinct from “join” (becoming part of an existing organization), “migrate” (move residence), or the broader “settle” (make a home). The emphasis is business/professional establishment under one’s own banner. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Parse the construction: set up as + profession → independent practice.2) Evaluate options for independence and initiation.3) Choose “To establish himself.”4) Confirm that other options change the meaning (relocation/joining). Verification / Alternative check: Substitution: “He intends to establish himself as a lawyer in the adjoining district.” This is idiomatic and precise. Why Other Options Are Wrong: To migrate: Movement only; no professional nuance.To join: Suggests joining an existing firm, not independence.To settle: Residential decision, not a business start. Common Pitfalls: Assuming “set up” always means “arrange.” With careers, it often signals “start one’s own practice.” Final Answer: To establish himself

Question 14

English Idioms — Meaning in Context Choose the BEST paraphrase. Sentence: The autographed bat from the famous cricketer Sunil Gavaskar is “worth a Jew's eye.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The expression “worth a Jew’s eye” is an old, now-archaic idiom in English literature meaning “extremely valuable.” Modern usage prefers neutral phrases like “worth a fortune.” Regardless of the dated form, examination questions may still test your ability to identify the intended sense: great monetary or sentimental value. Given Data / Assumptions: Object: a bat autographed by Sunil Gavaskar, a legendary cricketer. Idiom signals high worth. We must choose the option that directly states high value. Concept / Approach: Context strongly supports value: signed memorabilia by a sports icon is prized by collectors and fans. Idiomatically, “worth a Jew’s eye” equates to “of great price.” Thus the best paraphrase is “a possession of high value.” Distractors deny value or introduce grammatical errors that do not change meaning but reveal implausibility. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify idiom’s historical meaning: extremely valuable.2) Cross-check with context: rare signed item → valuable.3) Select the option explicitly stating high value.4) Eliminate options contradicting or weakening value. Verification / Alternative check: Replace with modern phrase: “is worth a fortune.” This aligns with “a possession of high value.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: Not a worthy possession / unnecessary: Opposite of the idiom’s meaning.A costly items: Unidiomatic grammar; also vague without stating value-of-possession idea. Common Pitfalls: Mistaking archaic idioms for negative judgments. Here the idiom praises value, not condemns it. Final Answer: A possession of high value

Question 15

English Idioms — Meaning in Context Choose the BEST meaning. Sentence: The speaker gave “a bird's eye view” of the political conditions in the country.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “A bird’s eye view” is a familiar metaphor. From high above, a bird sees the overall shape of the land but not the fine details. In presentations, this idiom means an overview that highlights the main contours, not an exhaustive, granular analysis. Given Data / Assumptions: Topic: political conditions of an entire country. Phrase: “bird’s eye view.” We need the option that captures “overview.” Concept / Approach: Because the scope is national and the idiom stresses altitude and breadth, the correct paraphrase is “a general view.” It is neither personal/subjective by necessity nor detailed. Bias is not implied by the idiom; detail level is. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Map the visual metaphor: high vantage point → breadth over detail.2) Choose the option that means “overview.”3) Exclude “personal,” “biased,” and “detailed presentation.” Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “The speaker gave an overview of the political conditions.” This equals “a general view.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: a personal view: Subjective opinion; not inherent in the idiom.a biased view: Introduces prejudice; not implied.a detailed presentation: Opposite of a high-level overview. Common Pitfalls: Assuming “bird’s eye view” means shorthand summary of conclusions; it specifically denotes scope, not stance. Final Answer: a general view

Question 16

English Idioms — Meaning in Context Choose the BEST meaning. Sentence: He resigned the post “of his own accord.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Of one’s own accord” is a fixed phrase in formal English meaning that an action was undertaken voluntarily, without being forced, pressured, or formally ordered by others. It is often used in official or journalistic accounts of resignations, withdrawals, or confessions. Given Data / Assumptions: Action: resignation from a post. Phrase: “of his own accord.” We must choose the option that emphasizes voluntariness. Concept / Approach: The key concept is absence of compulsion. “Voluntarily and willingly” states this directly. “According to his convenience” can be voluntary but suggests self-serving timing rather than freedom from pressure. “According to his judgement” refers to reasoning, not compulsion. “Which he liked” is irrelevant to the idiom’s core meaning. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify the idiom’s legalistic nuance: no coercion.2) Match with the option that explicitly expresses voluntariness.3) Rule out options about preference or judgment that do not address compulsion. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “He resigned voluntarily.” This equals “of his own accord.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: which he liked: Preference, not voluntariness.according to his convenience: Focuses on suitability of time, not absence of pressure.according to his judgement: Decision basis, not compulsion. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “why he did it” (judgement/convenience) with “how he did it” (voluntarily). The idiom concerns the latter. Final Answer: voluntarily and willingly

Question 17

English Idioms — Meaning in Context Choose the BEST meaning. Sentence: As a politician he is used to being “in the limelight” all the time.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Stage lighting places a performer at the focus of attention; metaphorically, “in the limelight” means to be at the center of public attention. In politics, it refers to constant media coverage and visibility, not necessarily admiration or approval. Given Data / Assumptions: Subject: a politician accustomed to attention. Idiom: “in the limelight.” We need the option that captures public focus, not a specific activity or evaluation. Concept / Approach: The idiom is about attention and visibility. “The centre of attraction” states that plainly. “An object of public notice” is close but weaker; it may imply mere mention without central focus. “Giving speeches” is an activity that may lead to limelight but is not its meaning. “Object of admiration” adds positive judgment absent from the idiom itself. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Separate attention (neutral) from evaluation (positive/negative).2) Choose the option directly naming central attention.3) Reject options that conflate activities or approval with attention. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “He is used to being the focus of attention.” This equals “in the limelight.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: giving speeches: Activity, not meaning.the object of admiration: Adds positive value judgment.an object of public notice: Too weak; not necessarily central focus. Common Pitfalls: Assuming limelight means praise. The idiom only guarantees visibility, not approval. Final Answer: the centre of attraction

Question 18

English Phrasal Verb — Meaning in Context Choose the BEST meaning. Sentence: I “ran out of” money on my European tour.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Phrasal verbs combine a base verb with a particle to create idiomatic meanings. “Run out of X” means that the available supply of X has been used up or depleted. In travel narratives, it commonly refers to money, time, battery, or fuel being exhausted before the activity ends. Given Data / Assumptions: Object: money during a tour. Phrase: “ran out of money.” We must choose the option that matches “supply exhausted.” Concept / Approach: The most accurate paraphrase is “exhausted my stock of.” “Did not have enough” can be true at the start (insufficient funds) but does not imply depletion through use. “Lost” implies misplacement or theft, which is different. “Carried a lot” is unrelated and contradictory. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify the particle meaning: out of → none remaining.2) Apply to money during travel: funds used up.3) Choose “exhausted my stock of.”4) Reject alternatives that indicate insufficiency, loss, or abundance. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “I exhausted my money on the tour.” This preserves meaning and causality (spending → depletion). Why Other Options Are Wrong: did not have enough: Could be initial condition, not exhaustion.lost: Different cause; implies accident/theft.carried a lot: Opposite direction; indicates abundance. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “ran out of” with “ran short of.” The latter means “nearly out,” while “ran out of” means “completely used up.” Final Answer: exhausted my stock of

Question 19

English Idioms — Meaning in Context Choose the BEST meaning. Sentence: “Madhuri might scream blue murder, but Deepali should get the promotion,” said the manager.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Scream blue murder” is a vivid idiom used in British and Indian English. It means to protest loudly and violently (verbally), making a huge fuss as if something terrible were happening—even though no literal murder is involved. Workplace scenarios use it to anticipate strong objections to an unpopular decision. Given Data / Assumptions: Speaker expects Madhuri to react loudly to a promotion decision. Idiom is figurative; not about an actual crime. We need the option that conveys vehement protest/noise. Concept / Approach: The core meaning is intense, noisy objection. Options that interpret the phrase literally are red herrings. “Persecution complex” is a psychological term not entailed by the idiom; the manager only predicts an uproar, not a mental condition. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Recognize hyperbole: “blue murder” amplifies the loudness/urgency.2) Map to behavior: vociferous protest.3) Select the option explicitly stating “make a great deal of noise and object vehemently.”4) Eliminate literal and clinical misinterpretations. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “Madhuri may raise a huge hue and cry.” This matches the selected answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Literal murder options: Metaphorical exaggeration only.Suffer from persecution complex: Not implied; only loud protest is predicted. Common Pitfalls: Taking idiomatic hyperbole literally or over-pathologizing a normal strong reaction. Final Answer: Make a great deal of noise and object vehemently

Question 20

English Idioms — Meaning in Context Choose the BEST meaning. Sentence: Having sold off his factory, he is now “a gentleman at large.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “At large” usually means “free; not confined.” The collocation “gentleman at large” in older or formal usage describes a man of means or leisure who is not engaged in any regular occupation. After selling a business, a person may be financially free and without a settled job—hence the idiomatic label. Given Data / Assumptions: He has sold his factory (no ongoing enterprise). Expression: “gentleman at large.” We must select the meaning tied to lack of regular occupation. Concept / Approach: The key idea is being unoccupied in a professional sense. While comfort or esteem may accompany the situation, they are not the idiom’s meaning. The best paraphrase is “has no serious occupation.” Other options conflate social respect or comfort with employment status, which the sentence does not assert. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Parse “at large” as “not bound by a job” in this collocation.2) Connect with context: business sold → currently unoccupied.3) Choose the option stating lack of serious occupation.4) Reject prestige/comfort interpretations not guaranteed by the phrase. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “He is now without any regular occupation.” This reflects the idiom precisely. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Is living comfortably: Possible effect, not the meaning.Is respected / held in high esteem: Social status, not occupational state. Common Pitfalls: Equating “gentleman” with prestige; here it marks a person of leisure rather than a title of honor. Final Answer: Has no serious occupation

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