Question 1

IDIOMS — Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined expression in context.  Sentence: 'Though he has a lot of money, yet all his plans are built upon sand.'

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The idiomatic clause “built upon sand” is a vivid metaphor drawn from construction. It suggests that a plan, promise, or system rests on an unstable base and will likely collapse under stress. The sentence contrasts financial wealth with fragile planning to test whether you can decode figurative meaning rather than read literally. Given Data / Assumptions: The subject has “a lot of money.” Despite wealth, “all his plans are built upon sand.” We are asked to select the closest paraphrase of the idiom in standard English. The focus is the stability of plans, not their cost or novelty. Concept / Approach: In English, “to build on sand” means to rely on weak assumptions, dubious data, or unreliable support. The sense is architectural: solid structures require firm foundations; sand shifts. Therefore, the best rendering emphasizes insecurity and likely failure, not merely cheapness, inexperience, or youthfulness of ideas. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify the idiom: “built upon sand.”2) Map the metaphor to planning: plans will not stand pressure if the base is unstable.3) Compare choices with the core meaning of instability.4) Select the option that foregrounds insecure foundations. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase the sentence: “Though he is wealthy, his plans rest on insecure foundations.” The contrast now reads cleanly and logically, which verifies the choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: B) “based on inexperience” shifts the cause to personal skill rather than structural instability.C) “resting on cheap material” interprets the metaphor literally and misses the figurative point.D) “resting on immature ideas” focuses on idea maturity, not foundational insecurity. Common Pitfalls: Learners often interpret such idioms literally (e.g., sand as cheap material). Always check if the clause functions as a fixed figurative expression about stability. Final Answer: established on insecure foundations

Question 2

IDIOMS — Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined expression in context.  Sentence: 'His plan was so complicated that it FLOORED his listeners.'

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The verb “floor” in informal English can mean to stun or baffle someone so much that they metaphorically drop to the floor, unable to respond. When a presentation “floors” an audience, the reaction is not laughter or anger but confusion or amazement. This question targets your ability to select the closest sense in a professional or academic discussion. Given Data / Assumptions: The plan presented was “so complicated.” The direct effect is on “listeners.” We need the best near-synonym for “floored” in this setting. Concept / Approach: Because the cause is complexity, the natural consequence is difficulty in comprehension. “Floored” therefore aligns with being puzzled, baffled, or nonplussed. It does not primarily mean entertained, angered, or motivated here. Always align the verb’s sense with the surrounding cause-and-effect cues in the sentence. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Link cause to effect: complexity → confusion.2) Recall idiomatic senses: “to floor” = to stun/baffle.3) Evaluate options for closest meaning to bafflement.4) Choose “puzzled.” Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “His plan was so complicated that it puzzled his listeners.” The sentence remains coherent and accurately reflects the described reaction. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) “entertained” implies amusement, not confusion.C) “annoyed” suggests irritation rather than bafflement.D) “encouraged” is the opposite of being mentally stalled. Common Pitfalls: Over-generalizing “floored” to excitement or humor. In academic or technical contexts, it typically signals that the audience could not follow the reasoning. Final Answer: puzzled

Question 3

IDIOMS — Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined expression in context.  Sentence: 'There has been BAD BLOOD between the two communities even before the shouting.'

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Bad blood” is a long-established idiom meaning persistent resentment, hostility, or ill feeling between people or groups. It does not literally refer to blood; it records a history of mutual dislike that predates any single outburst such as “the shouting.” Given Data / Assumptions: The subjects are “two communities,” not individuals. The phrase “even before the shouting” implies a pre-existing condition. We need a paraphrase capturing ongoing animosity, not just one fight. Concept / Approach: Idioms about blood (“bad blood,” “blood feud”) symbolize emotional ties or antipathies, not literal bodily fluid. “Bad blood” emphasizes simmering hostility built over time. The most compact and accurate equivalent is “ill feeling.” While quarrels and fights can result from bad blood, they are episodic; the idiom points to the underlying sentiment, not the isolated incidents. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify idiom: “bad blood.”2) Map to meaning: deep-seated hostility/resentment.3) Choose the option that states the emotion (“ill feeling”).4) Distinguish between cause (ill feeling) and effects (quarrels/fights). Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “There has been ill feeling between the two communities even before the shouting.” The sentence remains logical and cohesive. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) Literalizes the metaphor; not the intended meaning.C) “Bloody fights” are events, not the chronic underlying state.D) “Quarrels” are discrete episodes; the idiom emphasizes the persistent sentiment. Common Pitfalls: Confusing the lasting emotional climate (“bad blood”) with individual conflicts that arise from it. Final Answer: Ill feeling

Question 4

IDIOMS — Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined expression in context.  Sentence: 'The curious neighbours were disappointed, as the young couple's quarrel was just a STORM IN A TEA CUP.'

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “A storm in a teacup” (also “tempest in a teapot”) refers to a lot of commotion over something trivial. The neighbours were “disappointed,” implying they expected drama but witnessed only an exaggerated fuss about a small matter. The idiom tests understanding of proportionality—big reaction, tiny cause. Given Data / Assumptions: The event: a couple’s quarrel. Observers: curious neighbours, primed for spectacle. Outcome: disappointment because the quarrel was trivial despite noise. Concept / Approach: The idiom juxtaposes “storm” (great turbulence) with “teacup” (very small container) to signal disproportion. Correct interpretation must capture “great fuss over a trifle,” not actual violence or fragility of materials. Contextual clues (disappointment of onlookers) support the triviality reading. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Recognize the fixed idiom: “storm in a teacup.”2) Map to core meaning: excessive commotion over something minor.3) Select the paraphrase “fuss about a trifle.”4) Check coherence with neighbours’ disappointment. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “The quarrel was only a fuss about a trifle.” The sentence now directly states the intended evaluation of the argument’s importance. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) “violent quarrel” contradicts the idea of triviality.C) “brittle situation” is vague and not idiomatic here.D) Literalizes the phrase; the idiom is figurative. Common Pitfalls: Assuming intensity of noise equals seriousness. The idiom warns that sound and fury can conceal a very small cause. Final Answer: fuss about a trifle

Question 5

IDIOMS — Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined expression in context.  Sentence: 'Mohan always keeps himself to himself.'

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The phrase “keep oneself to oneself” is a British-leaning idiom describing a person who is private, reserved, or unsociable—someone who does not mix freely with others or share much about their life. The sentence asks you to capture that social behavior accurately. Given Data / Assumptions: Subject: Mohan, in a general habitual description (“always”). Target trait: social withdrawal or privacy. We need the closest restatement without adding moral judgment. Concept / Approach: “Unsociable” expresses reluctance to engage socially; it is the neutral-to-slightly-negative label for the described behavior. “Selfish” involves putting one’s interests first at others’ expense, which is not implied. Being “too busy” is situational, not a personality trait. “Does not take sides” describes neutrality in disputes, not social reserve. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify idiom and register.2) Map to social trait: private/unsociable.3) Select “Is unsociable.”4) Exclude options that shift to motives or conflict positions. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase works: “Mohan is unsociable.” The habitual adverb “always” fits the idea of a consistent trait. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) “too busy” is a temporary condition.B) “selfish” imputes moral blame absent in the idiom.D) “does not take sides” is about disputes, not sociability. Common Pitfalls: Projecting motives (selfishness) into neutral idioms about privacy. The phrase concerns engagement level, not ethics. Final Answer: Is unsociable

Question 6

VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT — Choose the option that best captures the intended meaning.  Sentence: 'While the ladies continued their SMALL TALK in the drawing room, I felt bored.'

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Small talk” is a fixed collocation in English referring to light, casual conversation about non-controversial topics such as the weather, travel, or daily routines. It is the opposite of deep discussion. The sentence’s tone (“I felt bored”) reinforces that the talk was trivial and routine. Given Data / Assumptions: Setting: drawing room, a social space for casual chat. Key term: “small talk.” Speaker reaction: boredom, which often accompanies trivial chatter. Concept / Approach: Although small talk can shade into gossip, the term itself remains neutral and focuses on topic lightness rather than speaking ill of others. The best choice is “light conversation.” “Whispering” and “backbiting” add secrecy or malice not present in the sentence. “Gossip” specifically implies discussing others’ private matters, which the sentence does not state. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Recognize collocation: “small talk.”2) Recall standard definition: light, casual conversation.3) Select the neutral equivalent “light conversation.”4) Discard options adding negativity absent from the context. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “While they continued their light conversation, I felt bored.” The paraphrase preserves tone and meaning. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) “whispering” implies hushed secrecy, not necessarily casual topics.B) “backbiting” includes slander; it is pejorative.C) “gossip” is possible but not guaranteed; the neutral term is safer and more accurate. Common Pitfalls: Equating all casual talk with gossip. Small talk often serves social bonding without malign content. Final Answer: light conversation

Question 7

PHRASAL VERB — Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined verb in context.  Sentence: 'My car BROKE DOWN on the way to the railway station.'

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Break down” is a common phrasal verb for machines and vehicles, indicating that they stop functioning due to a mechanical fault. The sentence situates the failure en route to a station, highlighting inconvenience rather than collision or fuel shortage. Given Data / Assumptions: Subject: “car.” Event: “broke down” while traveling. We must pick the closest general paraphrase for a mechanical failure. Concept / Approach: “Broke down” is not a synonym for every kind of stoppage. It excludes accidents and empty fuel tanks unless specifically caused by mechanical issues. The most accurate summary is “failed to work.” “Stopped” is too broad (cars can stop at signals). “Met with an accident” introduces a crash; “ran out of petrol” is a different cause. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify verb-object domain: machines/vehicles.2) Recall fixed meaning: cease to function properly.3) Choose “failed to work.”4) Eliminate distractors that specify unrelated causes. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “My car failed to work on the way to the station.” The sense of mechanical trouble is retained without overspecifying cause. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) “stopped” could be voluntary or routine.B) Accident is a separate event entirely.C) Fuel depletion is not implied. Common Pitfalls: Assuming any halt is a breakdown. In phrasal verb usage, breakdowns are specifically functional failures. Final Answer: failed to work

Question 8

IDIOMS — Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined expression in context.  Sentence: 'My father STRAINED EVERY NERVE to enable me to get settled in life.'

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The idiom “strain every nerve” means to make the utmost effort—physically, mentally, and emotionally—to achieve a goal. It emphasizes intensity of effort rather than the means (money, tricks, or corruption). The sentence describes a parent’s dedication to a child’s future. Given Data / Assumptions: The beneficiary is the speaker (child); the actor is the father. Goal: “to get settled in life,” a long-term objective. No mention of money, deception, or bribery in the text. Concept / Approach: Focus on the idiom’s core: maximal effort. “Worked very hard” captures the breadth of striving without smuggling in unethical or specific financial means. Distractors tempt with concrete actions (spending, tricks, bribery) that the sentence does not imply and that would narrow the idiom’s scope incorrectly. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Isolate the idiom: “strained every nerve.”2) Map to meaning: exerted oneself to the limit.3) Choose the neutral, accurate paraphrase “worked very hard.”4) Reject options that add unsupported specifics. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “My father worked very hard to enable me to get settled in life.” The meaning and tone remain intact and respectful. Why Other Options Are Wrong: B) Spending money is only one possible means and is not stated.C) “tried all tricks” adds deception not implied.D) Bribery introduces illegality absent from the context. Common Pitfalls: Over-interpreting colorful idioms as implying specific tactics. Here the idiom stresses effort, not method. Final Answer: worked very hard

Question 9

IDIOMS — Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined expression in context.  Sentence: 'He is always PICKING HOLES in every project.'

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The idiom “to pick holes in” something means to look for and point out faults—often in a hypercritical or unsympathetic way. It is common in meetings and reviews where a participant focuses on weaknesses rather than solutions. Given Data / Assumptions: Habitual action: “always.” Object: “every project.” Pragmatic implication: nitpicking criticism rather than constructive feedback. Concept / Approach: “Finding fault with” is the closest neutral paraphrase. “Creating problems” is different; it suggests causing obstacles, not merely pointing them out. “Suggesting improvement” is constructive and not implied by the idiom. “Asking irrelevant questions” describes off-topic behavior, not fault-finding. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Recognize “pick holes in” as idiomatic criticism.2) Choose “finding fault with.”3) Distinguish from causing problems or offering solutions.4) Confirm the habitual tone matches the paraphrase. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “He is always finding fault with every project.” The meaning remains precise and idiomatic. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) “creating problems” implies active sabotage.C) “suggesting improvement” is constructive criticism, not mere fault-finding.D) Irrelevant questions are a different meeting behavior. Common Pitfalls: Confusing negative criticism with constructive feedback; the idiom carries a negative, carping tone. Final Answer: finding fault with

Question 10

IDIOMS — Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined expression in context.  Sentence: 'The DIE IS CAST and now let us hope for the best.'

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “The die is cast” is a historic idiom attributed to Julius Caesar, meaning an irrevocable step has been taken; the decision has been made and outcomes must be faced. The sentence’s second half (“let us hope for the best”) matches this sense of crossing a point of no return. Given Data / Assumptions: We are at a decisive moment. Future results are uncertain but now unavoidable. The phrase is metaphorical; “die” refers to a gaming die (singular of dice), not death. Concept / Approach: Identify whether the word “die” is about mortality or a game. In idiom history, casting the die means the throw has been made; one cannot take it back. Hence the best paraphrase is “the decision is made.” The other options literalize or misinterpret the components. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Recognize allusion to the gaming die.2) Link to “no turning back.”3) Choose “decision is made.”4) Confirm with the clause “hope for the best.” Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “An irrevocable decision has been made; let us hope for the best.” The tone and meaning align perfectly. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) “project is over” signals completion, not irrevocability.C) “death is inevitable” confuses “die” with “death.”D) “cloth has been dyed” misreads “die” as “dye.” Common Pitfalls: Misreading homophones (die/dye) and assuming the idiom references mortality rather than decision-making. Final Answer: decision is made

Question 11

Idioms / Phrases – Select the option that BEST explains the highlighted expression in context. Sentence: “Pt. Nehru was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.” Identify what this idiom says about his family background and circumstances at birth.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The idiom “born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth” is common in biographies and social commentary. It describes a person who is born into privilege, wealth, and comfort rather than hardship. The sentence about Pt. Nehru uses the idiom to summarize his affluent upbringing, not to claim royalty or political lineage. Given Data / Assumptions: The highlighted phrase is “born with a silver spoon in his mouth.” We must choose the closest paraphrase among four alternatives. The sentence makes a general statement about socioeconomic status at birth. Concept / Approach: Idioms must be interpreted for sense, not literally. A silver spoon symbolizes easy access to resources and advantages. It is about wealth and privilege, not necessarily nobility or a specific political background. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify core meaning: silver spoon → privilege/affluence from birth.Compare options: “wealthy family” matches privilege; “royal family” is narrower and not implied; “middle class” contradicts affluence; “family of nationalists” is ideological, not economic.Select the neutral, accurate paraphrase: “born in a wealthy family.” Verification / Alternative check: Substitute into the sentence: “Pt. Nehru was born in a wealthy family.” The meaning is preserved without figurative language. Why Other Options Are Wrong: born in a middle class family: does not convey privilege. born in a royal family: royalty is not implied by the idiom. born in a family of nationalists: political leaning, not wealth. Common Pitfalls: Reading “silver spoon” as a symbol of royalty; assuming the idiom comments on politics rather than economics. Final Answer: born in a wealthy family

Question 12

Idioms / Literary Phrases – Choose the option that BEST explains the highlighted expression in context. Sentence: “The arrival of the mother-in-law in the family proved a rift in the lute.” What does this imply about the household climate?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “A rift in the lute” is a poetic idiom meaning the emergence of discord within what used to be harmony. A lute produces music; a rift (crack) spoils the sound. In family narratives, it signals that harmony has been damaged. Given Data / Assumptions: Focus phrase: “proved a rift in the lute.” Setting: changing family dynamics after a relative’s arrival. Task: pick the meaning that matches loss of harmony. Concept / Approach: Map the metaphor: instrument (harmony) + rift (crack) → disharmony. The idiom does not primarily mean worry, discipline, or pleasantness; it specifically targets harmony versus discord. Step-by-Step Solution: Understand imagery: a cracked instrument cannot produce pleasing music.Translate to social context: relationships lose smooth functioning.Select “brought about disharmony” as the direct paraphrase. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “The arrival … brought disharmony to the family.” The sentence remains coherent and accurate. Why Other Options Are Wrong: caused unnecessary worries: worry is not the idiom’s core sense. caused a pleasant atmosphere: opposite of discord. brought about a disciplined atmosphere: discipline is unrelated to harmony in this context. Common Pitfalls: Treating “rift” as mere anxiety rather than structural discord; reading the idiom literally. Final Answer: brought about disharmony

Question 13

Phrasal Verb – Choose the option that BEST expresses the meaning in context. Sentence: “The prince did not take after the king.” What does “take after” mean here?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Take after” is a phrasal verb of resemblance, used for children who are similar to parents or relatives in looks or behavior. The sentence states a negative—he did not take after—so it asserts that the prince was unlike the king. Given Data / Assumptions: Phrasal verb: “take after”. Family context: prince and king (parent–child or ancestor–descendant). We need the precise meaning among four choices. Concept / Approach: Disambiguate “take after” (resemble) from literal actions like “run after” or sequence terms like “precede”/“follow.” In idiomatic English, “take after someone” means to be like that person. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify domain: family likeness.Map “take after” → “resemble.”Pick the option that expresses similarity. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “The prince did not resemble the king.” This captures the intended meaning exactly. Why Other Options Are Wrong: run after: physical pursuit, irrelevant. follow: sequence/obedience, not likeness. precede: the opposite of follow, unrelated to similarity. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “take after” (resemble) with “take on” (accept a task) or “take over” (assume control). Final Answer: resemble

Question 14

Adverbial Phrase – Choose the option that BEST conveys the meaning in context. Sentence: “Don’t lose patience, things will improve by and by.” What does “by and by” mean here?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “By and by” is a time expression meaning “before long” or “after a short while.” In reassurance or consolation, it signals that improvement will occur soon, not instantly, but within a reasonable time horizon. Given Data / Assumptions: Phrase: “by and by”. Pragmatics: a speaker urges patience and offers hope. We must choose the closest single-word paraphrase. Concept / Approach: Among options, “soon” (= before long) matches the idiom’s typical sense. “Finally” implies the very end after a long process; “gradually” describes the manner of change (step by step), not the time reference; “unexpectedly” concerns surprise, not timing. Step-by-Step Solution: Interpret the reassurance: improvement will arrive before long.Match idiom → “soon”.Reject manner or end-point interpretations (gradually/finally) and irrelevancies (unexpectedly). Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “Don’t lose patience, things will improve soon.” Natural and idiomatic in motivational contexts. Why Other Options Are Wrong: finally: emphasizes ultimate completion, not “before long.” gradually: describes rate of change, not time of occurrence. unexpectedly: about surprise, not schedule. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “by and by” with “by the by” (incidentally). The two are different expressions. Final Answer: soon

Question 15

Idioms – Choose the option that BEST explains the highlighted idiom in context. Sentence: “Do not imagine that Dharmendra is really sorry that his wife died. Those are only crocodile tears.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Crocodile tears” is a fixed idiom meaning insincere or feigned grief. The image comes from an old fable that crocodiles weep while devouring prey, symbolizing hypocritical displays of sadness. Given Data / Assumptions: The speaker doubts the genuineness of grief. We need a concise paraphrase of the idiom. Only one option captures insincerity explicitly. Concept / Approach: Translate the metaphor to its pragmatic meaning: a show of emotion that does not reflect real feeling. The idiom does not mean slight regret or anything about actual reptiles. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify idiom: “crocodile tears” → feigned grief.Check options for insincerity: “Pretended sorrow” matches exactly.Eliminate literal or weak alternatives. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “Those are only pretended sorrow.” With subject-verb adjustment, the sense is unchanged. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Tears a crocodile / A weeping crocodile: literal, not idiomatic. Mild regret: suggests small but genuine feeling; the idiom means false display. Common Pitfalls: Thinking “crocodile tears” means “very big tears”; the core is hypocrisy, not intensity. Final Answer: Pretended sorrow

Question 16

Phrasal Meaning (Public Life) – Choose the option that BEST fits the highlighted expression. Sentence: “The P.M has pulled up Orissa partymen.” What does “pulled up” convey here?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: In administrative and political reporting, “pull up” someone typically means to rebuke or reprimand them for poor performance or misconduct. It signals a verbal dressing-down rather than promotion or reward. Given Data / Assumptions: Actor: the Prime Minister addressing party workers. Verb phrase: “pulled up”. We must choose the closest paraphrase within political/organizational usage. Concept / Approach: Disambiguate “pull up” from other senses (e.g., “pull up a chair”). In governance, the collocation with people implies admonishment. “Reprimanded” precisely captures formal scolding; “punished” might imply sanctions beyond words, which are not stated. Step-by-Step Solution: Determine domain sense: managerial rebuke.Compare synonyms: “reprimanded” vs “punished/rewarded/elevated”.Select “reprimanded” for exactness. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “The P.M reprimanded Orissa partymen.” The report remains idiomatic. Why Other Options Are Wrong: elevated: promotion; opposite meaning. rewarded: positive reinforcement, not rebuke. punished: could include penalties; the sentence only implies telling-off. Common Pitfalls: Overreading the severity as formal punishment; here the idiom indicates verbal censure. Final Answer: reprimanded

Question 17

Idiomatic Collocation – Choose the option that BEST explains the highlighted phrase. Sentence: “He did me a good turn by recommending me for the post of Vice Principal.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Do someone a good turn” is a fixed English collocation meaning to do someone a favor or kind action. The sentence directly names the favor: recommending a person for a post. The phrase is neutral about reciprocity; it need not be a return favor. Given Data / Assumptions: Highlighted phrase: “did me a good turn”. Example of the favor: recommendation for a role. We must select the closest paraphrase. Concept / Approach: Among options, “did an act of kindness” exactly matches the collocation. “Returned my kindness” adds an unnecessary notion of repayment; “improved my prospects” is a result, not the idiom’s meaning; “became suddenly good” is incorrect. Step-by-Step Solution: Define expression: a good turn = a favor.Relate to context: recommendation is indeed a favor.Choose “did an act of kindness.” Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “He did me a favor by recommending me …” The sentence remains precise. Why Other Options Are Wrong: returned my kindness: implies earlier kindness; not stated. improved my prospects: describes effect, not idiomatic meaning. became suddenly good: not the sense of “good turn.” Common Pitfalls: Confusing meaning with outcome; the idiom labels the action itself as a favor. Final Answer: did an act of kindness

Question 18

Proverb – Choose the option that BEST explains the highlighted proverb in context. Sentence: “He believes in the policy of making hay while the sun shines.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The proverb “Make hay while the sun shines” comes from farming: hay must be dried in sunny weather. Figuratively, it advises taking timely advantage of favorable conditions to achieve goals efficiently. Given Data / Assumptions: Key proverb: “making hay while the sun shines”. We must choose a general-life paraphrase. Nothing in the sentence implies bribery, advice-seeking, or reciprocity. Concept / Approach: Abstract the farming scenario to decision-making. The essence is readiness and opportunism in a positive, prudent sense: act when conditions are right. Hence, the best paraphrase is “making the best use of a favourable situation.” Step-by-Step Solution: Identify literal origin (agriculture) and figurative moral (seize opportunity).Compare choices and eliminate unrelated interpretations.Select the option that captures timely advantage. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “He believes in taking advantage of favorable opportunities.” Tone and meaning remain intact. Why Other Options Are Wrong: giving bribes …: unethical tactic, not implied. seeking advice from one and all: unrelated behavior. helping those who help him: reciprocity ethic, not opportunism. Common Pitfalls: Reading “make hay” literally; assuming the proverb justifies unethical acts (it does not). Final Answer: making the best use of a favourable situation

Question 19

Idioms (Character / Ethics) – Choose the option that BEST explains the highlighted expression. Sentence: “His friends advised him to be fair and square in his dealings.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Fair and square” is a rhyming idiom meaning honest, upright, and straightforward—especially in transactions and competition. It emphasizes transparency and adherence to rules. Given Data / Assumptions: Phrase to interpret: “fair and square”. Context: advice about business or personal dealings. We need a single-word paraphrase capturing honesty and integrity. Concept / Approach: The combined phrase strengthens the idea of fairness with clarity (“square” historically meant straightforward). “Upright” is the best one-word replacement conveying moral integrity. Alternatives like “careful,” “considerate,” or “polite” refer to caution, empathy, or manners, not ethics of fairness. Step-by-Step Solution: Interpret idiom: honest and straightforward.Select semantic match: “Upright.”Reject options focused on demeanor rather than ethics. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “to be upright in his dealings.” The meaning is preserved. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Careful: about meticulousness, not integrity. Considerate: kindness, not fairness standards. Polite: manners, not ethics. Common Pitfalls: Confusing social niceness with moral uprightness; the idiom centers on honesty. Final Answer: Upright

Question 20

Time Expressions – Choose the option that BEST explains the highlighted phrase in context. Sentence: “It is high time that India did something about the population problem.” What does “high time” imply?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “It is high time …” is a set expression indicating that an action is overdue; something should have been done earlier. In policy discussions, it conveys urgency and delay, not merely suitability or auspiciousness. Given Data / Assumptions: Expression: “high time”. Topic: addressing the population problem. We must choose a paraphrase that preserves the sense of lateness. Concept / Approach: Distinguish “high time” (past due) from “right time” (appropriate) or “auspicious moment” (lucky/ceremonial). The structure “It is high time that + past form” is an idiomatic way to press for immediate action. Step-by-Step Solution: Interpret idiom: overdue necessity.Compare options: only “already late” captures lateness.Select the accurate paraphrase and confirm with the grammar cue (past form after “high time”). Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “It is already late for India to act on the population problem.” This keeps the urgency intact. Why Other Options Are Wrong: appropriate time: suitability, not lateness. desired occasion: personal preference, not urgency. auspicious moment: ceremonial luck, not policy urgency. Common Pitfalls: Confusing the idiom’s lateness with mere timeliness; overlooking the conventional past tense after “high time.” Final Answer: already late

Idioms and Phrases Questions