Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “His explanation did not carry conviction.”, what is the meaning of “Carry conviction”?
A. an unconvincing or weak excuse
B. very similar in character or type
C. a series of unfortunate events
D. to sound convincing or believable
Correct Answer: D
“Carry conviction” means to sound convincing or believable. Example: His explanation did not carry conviction. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Call a halt to”?
A. to stop an activity
B. of no value or importance
C. left helpless or without support
D. to behave irresponsibly or dishonestly
Correct Answer: A
“Call a halt to” means to stop an activity. Example: The authorities called a halt to illegal construction. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to bring something to an end”?
A. A matter of life and death
B. Bring down the curtain on
C. Have a soft corner for
D. A sea change
Correct Answer: B
“Bring down the curtain on” means to bring something to an end. Example: The final ceremony brought down the curtain on the festival. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Break the deadlock”?
A. regardless of whether the result is good or bad
B. to cause a situation to reach a decisive or critical point
C. to end a situation in which no progress can be made
D. misunderstanding each other because of different aims or meanings
Correct Answer: C
“Break the deadlock” means to end a situation in which no progress can be made. Example: A compromise finally broke the deadlock. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Blow one's top”?
A. left helpless or without support
B. likely to happen soon
C. having nothing particular to do
D. to become extremely angry
Correct Answer: D
“Blow one's top” means to become extremely angry. Example: The director blew his top when the confidential file went missing. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The young athlete has been in the limelight since the victory.”, what is the meaning of “Be in the limelight”?
A. to receive a lot of public attention
B. not clearly belonging to one category or another
C. to pass the worst point and begin improving
D. to be innocent or free from wrongdoing
Correct Answer: A
“Be in the limelight” means to receive a lot of public attention. Example: The young athlete has been in the limelight since the victory. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “At one's disposal”?
A. a task requiring enormous effort
B. available for one's use
C. to mislead or deceive someone
D. to strongly oppose something
Correct Answer: B
“At one's disposal” means available for one's use. Example: All necessary resources are at your disposal. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “a major and fundamental transformation”?
A. At the beck and call
B. The man in the street
C. A sea change
D. Move with the times
Correct Answer: C
“A sea change” means a major and fundamental transformation. Example: Digitization brought a sea change in record management. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “A red herring”?
A. to make a special effort to do something
B. something common, expected, or required at a particular time
C. to behave in an uncontrolled or destructive way
D. something that distracts attention from the real issue
Correct Answer: D
“A red herring” means something that distracts attention from the real issue. Example: The personal allegation was a red herring in the policy debate. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “A narrow squeak”?
A. a very narrow escape from danger or failure
B. to spoil a plan or stable situation
C. to behave in an uncontrolled or destructive way
D. to fail or be destroyed, especially financially
Correct Answer: A
“A narrow squeak” means a very narrow escape from danger or failure. Example: Passing by one mark was a narrow squeak. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Whether the reform will work remains a moot point.”, what is the meaning of “A moot point”?
A. to tell someone important or unpleasant information
B. a matter open to debate or uncertainty
C. a very good, honest, and dependable person
D. to understand how a situation is developing
Correct Answer: B
“A moot point” means a matter open to debate or uncertainty. Example: Whether the reform will work remains a moot point. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “A man of letters”?
A. to barely avoid danger or failure
B. excessive official rules and bureaucracy
C. a learned person or writer
D. to exclude or ignore someone
Correct Answer: C
“A man of letters” means a learned person or writer. Example: He was respected as a man of letters. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “an unconvincing or weak excuse”?
A. Run the gauntlet
B. In a pickle
C. Move with the times
D. A lame excuse
Correct Answer: D
“A lame excuse” means an unconvincing or weak excuse. Example: Traffic was a lame excuse for missing the exam by an hour. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “A Herculean task”?
A. a task requiring enormous effort
B. to copy someone's good example
C. neat, tidy, and well organized
D. to look sad or disappointed
Correct Answer: A
“A Herculean task” means a task requiring enormous effort. Example: Completing the survey in one week was a Herculean task. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “A fool's paradise”?
A. directly from the original or most reliable source
B. a state of happiness based on false hopes
C. to avoid restarting an old conflict or problem
D. to behave in an uncontrolled or destructive way
Correct Answer: B
“A fool's paradise” means a state of happiness based on false hopes. Example: Anyone ignoring the warning signs is living in a fool's paradise. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Water scarcity is a burning question for the region.”, what is the meaning of “A burning question”?
A. a series of unfortunate events
B. with complete energy, sincerity, and commitment
C. an urgent and important issue
D. to begin fighting physically
Correct Answer: C
“A burning question” means an urgent and important issue. Example: Water scarcity is a burning question for the region. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Within an ace of”?
A. to understand how a situation is developing
B. to accept the truth of a situation
C. to tell someone important or unpleasant information
D. very close to doing or achieving something
Correct Answer: D
“Within an ace of” means very close to doing or achieving something. Example: He came within an ace of winning the scholarship. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “in an arrogant or overbearing manner”?
A. With a high hand
B. An apple of discord
C. Bring to a head
D. Come to blows
Correct Answer: A
“With a high hand” means in an arrogant or overbearing manner. Example: The official dealt with the staff with a high hand. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Wear and tear”?
A. to go directly and quickly toward something
B. damage caused by ordinary use over time
C. having lost or spent money because of something
D. friendly enough to speak to each other
Correct Answer: B
“Wear and tear” means damage caused by ordinary use over time. Example: The machine showed signs of wear and tear. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Upset the apple cart”?
A. in a state of extreme hostility
B. having no patience, strength, or resources left
C. to spoil a plan or stable situation
D. to disappear or change very slowly
Correct Answer: C
“Upset the apple cart” means to spoil a plan or stable situation. Example: A sudden rule change upset the apple cart. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.