CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the fixed phrase "as opposed to" mean?
A. as well as
B. as a mark of respect for
C. in contrast with
D. very close to experiencing or doing something
Correct Answer: C
The fixed phrase "as opposed to" means in contrast with. It commonly appears in formal and competitive-exam English.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the fixed phrase "as a result of" mean?
A. in agreement with or according to
B. because of
C. ahead of or before in position
D. for the reason of
Correct Answer: B
The fixed phrase "as a result of" means because of. It commonly appears in formal and competitive-exam English.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the fixed phrase "apart from" mean?
A. except for or in addition to
B. excluding
C. supporting
D. using something as the foundation for a judgment
Correct Answer: A
The fixed phrase "apart from" means except for or in addition to. It commonly appears in formal and competitive-exam English.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the fixed phrase "beyond one's means" mean?
A. provided that
B. as a return for something given
C. as a representative of
D. too expensive for one's financial resources
Correct Answer: D
The fixed phrase "beyond one's means" means too expensive for one's financial resources. It commonly appears in formal and competitive-exam English.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the fixed phrase "beyond recognition" mean?
A. trying to find
B. at risk of
C. changed so much that identification is difficult
D. because of
Correct Answer: C
The fixed phrase "beyond recognition" means changed so much that identification is difficult. It commonly appears in formal and competitive-exam English.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the fixed phrase "beyond repair" mean?
A. as compensation or exchange for
B. too damaged to be repaired
C. showing a clear difference from
D. considering
Correct Answer: B
The fixed phrase "beyond repair" means too damaged to be repaired. It commonly appears in formal and competitive-exam English.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the fixed phrase "beyond doubt" mean?
A. certainly
B. consistent with
C. concerning or related to
D. if a particular situation occurs
Correct Answer: A
The fixed phrase "beyond doubt" means certainly. It commonly appears in formal and competitive-exam English.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the fixed phrase "without fail" mean?
A. when compared with
B. in conformity with a rule or request
C. when someone or something is not present
D. certainly or unfailingly
Correct Answer: D
The fixed phrase "without fail" means certainly or unfailingly. It commonly appears in formal and competitive-exam English.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the fixed phrase "without exception" mean?
A. concerning
B. when compared with
C. including every case
D. with regard to a particular aspect
Correct Answer: C
The fixed phrase "without exception" means including every case. It commonly appears in formal and competitive-exam English.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the fixed phrase "under the impression that" mean?
A. in contrast with
B. believing, possibly mistakenly, that
C. responsible for
D. despite
Correct Answer: B
The fixed phrase "under the impression that" means believing, possibly mistakenly, that. It commonly appears in formal and competitive-exam English.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the fixed phrase "under investigation" mean?
A. being formally examined
B. because of
C. if something happens
D. as a reaction or reply to
Correct Answer: A
The fixed phrase "under investigation" means being formally examined. It commonly appears in formal and competitive-exam English.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the fixed phrase "under discussion" mean?
A. except for or in addition to
B. as a response to
C. concerning or with reference to
D. currently being discussed
Correct Answer: D
The fixed phrase "under discussion" means currently being discussed. It commonly appears in formal and competitive-exam English.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the fixed phrase "under pressure" mean?
A. too expensive for one's financial resources
B. for the purpose of helping
C. experiencing stress or force
D. while seeking or trying to achieve
Correct Answer: C
The fixed phrase "under pressure" means experiencing stress or force. It commonly appears in formal and competitive-exam English.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the fixed phrase "under control" mean?
A. changed so much that identification is difficult
B. being managed or restrained
C. before the expected time
D. instead of
Correct Answer: B
The fixed phrase "under control" means being managed or restrained. It commonly appears in formal and competitive-exam English.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the fixed phrase "under consideration" mean?
A. being thought about or examined
B. too damaged to be repaired
C. as well as
D. against
Correct Answer: A
The fixed phrase "under consideration" means being thought about or examined. It commonly appears in formal and competitive-exam English.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the fixed phrase "at variance with" mean?
A. certainly
B. in agreement with or according to
C. requiring
D. in disagreement or conflict with
Correct Answer: D
The fixed phrase "at variance with" means in disagreement or conflict with. It commonly appears in formal and competitive-exam English.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the fixed phrase "at the risk of" mean?
A. certainly or unfailingly
B. excluding
C. despite the possibility of harm or loss
D. consistent with
Correct Answer: C
The fixed phrase "at the risk of" means despite the possibility of harm or loss. It commonly appears in formal and competitive-exam English.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the fixed phrase "at the request of" mean?
A. including every case
B. because someone asked
C. provided that
D. instead of
Correct Answer: B
The fixed phrase "at the request of" means because someone asked. It commonly appears in formal and competitive-exam English.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the fixed phrase "at the expense of" mean?
A. with loss or disadvantage to
B. believing, possibly mistakenly, that
C. trying to find
D. as a mark of respect for
Correct Answer: A
The fixed phrase "at the expense of" means with loss or disadvantage to. It commonly appears in formal and competitive-exam English.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the fixed phrase "for want of" mean?
A. being formally examined
B. as compensation or exchange for
C. ahead of or before in position
D. because of a lack of
Correct Answer: D
The fixed phrase "for want of" means because of a lack of. It commonly appears in formal and competitive-exam English.