MULTIPLE CHOICE A. crammed B. stood C. tied D.

booked
TASK 1: 14. I have tried every product on the market and still I can't rid these curtains of the
1. The constant disagreements over budget allocations were already straining the ______of cigarette smoke.
relationship between the two departments, but the abrupt cancellation of the joint A. fumes B. fragrance C. stench D. aroma
project was the ______, leading to a complete breakdown in communication. 15. Her condition seems to be ______. We’ll have to take her to intensive care.
A. lost cause B. last straw C. touch and go D. hot air A. ameliorating B. deteriorating C. amputating D. imitating
2. There’s no doubt about the outcome of the trial. The man is a ______criminal. 16. Not only is little Jonny’s grammar incoherent and his spelling atrocious but also his
A. self-conscious B. self-contained C. self-confessed D. self-centered pronunciation ______.
3. Rebecca ______on our conversation to tell us that James had just been rushed to A. slothful B. sluggish C. hazard D. haphazard
hospital. 17. I need to ______ your offer very carefully before I make a decision.
A. cut in B. faced up C. got ahead D. broke up A. look over B. see out C. figure out D. mull over
4. ______ her job, her sons and the housework, she doesn’t have a minute for herself. 18. There’s nothing to ______ as it’s a general knowledge quiz.
A. What with B. If it weren’t for C. Barring D. Given A. come round to B. face up to C. swot up on D. come up with
5. It’s ______that he never mentioned our argument; I wonder why he didn’t. 19. The account of their journey has been ______ together from personal letters and
A. special B. rare C. curious D. eccentric diaries.
6. He praised his wife for her dignity under the ______of the tabloid press. A. pieced B. set C. pulled D. got
A. onslaught B. assault C. onset D. offensive 20. The noise from the unruly fans celebrating their team’s victory didn’t ______until
7. Brain cancer requires ______ treatment such as surgery. early in the morning.
A. aggressive B. confrontational C. malignant D. rigorous A. shut off B. give away C. let up D. fall over
8. The government has been forced into a ______after the revelation of a cover-up. TASK 2:
A. climbdown B. getaway C. outbreak D. breakout 1. Ask David to give you a hand moving the furniture. He’s strong as ______.
9. I don’t know if Ash would be right for the job; he’s a bit of an unknown ______. A. an elephant B. a mountain C. a gorilla D. a horse
A. quality B. qualification C. quantity D. identity 2. He didn’t have a ______of evidence to support his claims.
10. Searching for one man in this city is like looking for a ______. A. sign B. scrap C. sense D. state
A. salt of the earth B. sand in the desert 3. It’s the ______of stupidity to go walking in the mountains in this weather.
C. needle in a haystack D. drop in the ocean A. height B. depth C. source D. matter
11. The Conservatives declared their intention of______the whole Act once they came 4. I know you’re upset about breaking up with Tom, but there are plenty more ______.
into power. A. horses in the stable B. cows in the shed
A. repulsing B. repelling C. impelling D. repealing C. tigers in the jungle D. fish in the sea.
12. The growth of psychobiology owes ______to major conceptual advances in the way 5. It must be true. I hear it straight from the ______mouth.
people think about the brain. A. dog’s B. horse’s C. camel’s D. cat’s
A. much B. as much as C. much which D. there is so much 6. It's normal for salaries to be paid monthly in______, meaning you'll need to work
13. The class went to see the performance of Macbeth because it ______ in well with four weeks first.
the project they were doing on Scottish history. A. advance B. full C. arrears D. debt
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7. She is so ______ skinned that nothing offends her. A. recess B. suspension C. abeyance D. waiting
A. hard B. thick C. strong D. heavy TASK 3:
8. I’ve only met Stephen in a social context - he’s an unknown ______where work’s 1. The money was taken out of the bank in small amounts so as not to ______suspicion.
concerned. A. awake B. arouse C. instigate D. incite
A. option B. type C. category D. quantity 2. Hopes of a peaceful settlement have been ______
9. The competition he set up for young musicians is another ______of his life-long A. torn B. tarnished C. dashed D. smashed
support for the arts. 3. The motor industry is ______at the cut in car tax.
A. exposition B. manifestation C. token D. exhibition A. cheering B. relishing C. rejoicing D. enjoying
10. Windows go ______towards defining the character of a house. 4. He's very understanding: if I'm ______by the middle of the week he'll always let me
A. a long way B. far out C. all the way D. far away have a few groceries on tick till Friday.
11. Even the most ______drivers feel an urge to break the speed-limit occasionally. A. hard up B. pricey C. indebted D. bankrupt
A. lawful B. legitimate C. law-abiding D. judicial 5. The sales assistants were so rude to me, I decided to take my ______elsewhere.
12. I am not sure I can answer that. I have only thought about it in the _______ before. A. income B. custom C. capital D. fortune
A. general B. hypothetical C. indefinite D. abstract 6. The police are going to _____down on illegal stock exchange activities in the streets.
13. The opposition protests against the government now threaten to get out of _______ A. dragging B. kicking C. dumbing D. clamping
and the security forces are likely to make arrests around the country today. 7. She had a strong desire to be a dancer but failed to make the ______.
A. reach B. kilter C. hand D. ordinary A. grade B. term C. mark D. degree
14. I really don’t want to get involved in your problems. Why are you _____me into it? 8. The sexual scandal will ______from the president's fame.
A. pulling B. dragging C. wrenching D. towing A. ruin B. detract C. spoil D. impair
15. Everybody was busy with the spring cleaning, except Stanley, who always refused 9. There isn't a ______of truth in those rumours.
to pull his ______. A. pinch B. grain C. trace D. speck
A. shocks B. weight C. finger D. share 10. Every ______of emotion seemed to have drained from his face.
16. At the time, Mexico was in the ______of its worst economic recession on record. A. pinch B. grain C. trace D. speck
A. grip B. tug C. hug D. grab 11. Here I sit ______ - no food, no money, no anything
17. Harry was offered a scholarship to study in Japan and he ______the opportunity A. high and dry B. thick and thin C. huff and puff D. wear and tear
with both hands. 12. The media regarded Gorbachev as the ______favorite to dethrone the old champ
A. grasped B. grabbed C. held D. passed A. last-minute B. odds-on C. so-called D. well –earned
18. A full scholarship to Harvard and you are worried about leaving your job? You’d be 13. The research has ______implications for medicine as a whole.
a fool to ______up a chance like that. A. far-fetched B. far-reaching C. long-winded D. nerve-wrecking
A. turn B. brush C. pass D. cast 14. Jacques launched into a ______explanation that left us just as confused as before
19. He admitted taking a bribe and he doesn’t think he’s ______his chances of getting A. far-fetched B. far-reaching C. long-winded D. nerve-wrecking
re-elected? 15. We ______ deny that we have ever cheated or tampered illegally with any match
A. pulled B. wiped C. thrown D. blown ball in any game during our careers.
20. The matter has been left in ______ until the legal ramifications have been explored. A. categorically B. fully C. distinctly D. highly
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16. All personal details are treated as ______confidential and remain on computer file. A. overtaken B. overstated C. overshadowed D. overwhelmed
A. severely B. strictly C. sharply D. harshly 13. He remained loyal to me through ______.
17. The people in that company always talk ______, even on the weekends. A. null and void B. life and soul C. thick and thin D. up and coming
A. dirty B. shop C. turkey D. money 14. The long-standing dispute about working conditions finally came ______when the
18. It took me ages to ______up the courage to ask for a promotion workforce voted for strike action
A. pick B. hurl C. yield D. pluck A. to a head B. to the point C. to a standstill D. out of its shell
19. They still ______enormous influence in politics. 15. If you're caught stealing you'll be ______.
A. possess B. utilize C. brandish D. wield A.in black books B. for the high jump C. in a quandary D.in the doghouse
20. I don't know where he is but I could ______a guess. 16. Such a questionable assertion is sure to ______ criticism.
A. hazard B. conjecture C. expose D. imperil A. commence B. instigate C. launch D. provoke
TASK 4: 17. Such people ______an indistinct anger and hatred.
1. The war in Iraq is a ______ debated issue. A. exude B. exclude C. expunge D. extricate
A. deeply B. hotly C. profoundly D. heavily 18. In a culture where knockoffs are normal, from sportswear to DVDs, it will not be
2. He will be remembered by the staff with great ______. easy to ______deep-rooted academic habits
A. fondness B. fancy C. passion D. crush A. exude B. exclude C. expunge D. extricate
3. He carefully ______ his sunflower plants. 19. I tried to ______myself from the situation but it was impossible.
A. tended B.attended C. grew D. maintained A. exude B. exclude C. expunge D. extricate
4. She already has a couple of good wins ______. 20. She is ______grateful to her family for their support
A. under her collar B. under her belt C. up her sleeve D. in her shoes A. continually B. continuously C. perpetually D. eternally
5. Whenever she refused, he'd beat her ______. TASK 5:
A. black and blue B. black and white C. blue in the face D. out of the blue 1. She ______agreed to go with him to the football match although she had no interest
6. Their qualifications ______them to a higher salary. in the game at all.
A. enable B. entitle C. entail D. envisage A. apologetically B. grudgingly C. shamefacedly D. discreetly
7. Since he is not polite, he often makes ______ remarks. 2. On the way to Cambridge yesterday, the road was blocked by a fallen tree, so we had
A. immaterial B. impertinent C. impervious D. implausible to make a ______.
8. He had failed because of a lack of talent for ______ speaking A. deviation B. digression C. detour D. departure
A. impeccable B. impressive C. imposing D. impromptu 3. Tom’s normally very efficient but he’s been making a lot of mistakes ______.
9. I get ______ pains up my spine whenever I try to move. A. of late B. for now C. in a while D. shortly
A. splitting B. thumping C. shooting D. stinking 4. I know it’s difficult but you’ll just have to ______and bear it.
10. Dealing with the failed waste incinerator project is a ______ issue in west Norfolk A. laugh B. smile C. grin D. chuckle
A. burning B. heating C.boiling D. firing 5. I didn’t want to make a decision ______, so I said I’d like to think about it.
11. He had the ______ to blame me for his mistake! A. in one go B. there and then C. at a stroke D. on and off
A. valour B. chivalry C. gracefulness D. audacity 6. We are not in a ______hurry so let’s have another coffee.
12. He had always been ______ by his elder sister. A. dashing B. racing C. rushing D. tearing
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7. She’s a bit down in the______at the moment – her husband has just lost his job. 1. In times of ______unemployment figures usually rise dramatically.
A. world B. dumps C. heart D. bottom A austerity B severity C sobriety D. gravity
8. “How did you know that he was lying?” – “It was just a ______feeling.” 2. The delight in treasure finding doesn’t always ______acquiring tremendous amounts
A. faint B. gut C. slight D. vain of valuables.
9. The new company had been______with one problem after another and looked as if it A. dwell on B. poke around C. lay about D. hinge upon
were about to go under. 3. Let’s ______the place, it looks so gloomy and unpleasant .
A. glorified B. tainted C. fraught D. bewildered A. miss B. abandon C. depart D. disappear
10. Mike decided that election to the local council would provide a ______to a career in 4. She used the map to discover where she was in ______to her surroundings.
national politics. A. connection B. affinity C. relation D. reference
A. milestone B. springboard C. highway D. turning point 5. He let it ______that the Prime Minister was a close friend of his.
11. As a poet, I think she ______comparison with the greatest this century. . A. announce B. talk C. drop D. infer
A. stands B. makes C. leads D. matches 6. 1. It was a fantastic film. I enjoyed it ______.
12. We all have to follow the rules, and none of us is ______the law. A. endlessly B. unendingly C. without end D. no end
A. beyond B. over C. above D. onto 7. When the children ______their toys, I donated them to charity.
13. When disaster ______, organisations such as Oxfam quickly provide help. A. outlasted B. outdated C. outgrew D. outwore
A. comes B. approaches C. arrives D. strikes 8. I was in the ______ of despair before I heard the good news.
14. The number of people traveling by air has been growing _______. A. depths B. profundities C. bottoms D. holes
A. by leaps and bounds B. from time to time 9. When are we going to get rid of all these empty cartons? They've been ______up the
C. slow but sure D. by hook and crook office for weeks now.
15. Drug-taking is a crime which society simply cannot ______. A. buttering B. clutching C. cluttering D. botching
A. approve B. acknowledge C. consent D. condone 10. The luxurious office accentuated the manager's position ______. It enhanced his
16. I was scared ______when I looked down from the top of the cliff. power and his sense of his own worth. And it made other people feel small.
A. tight B. stiff C. hard D. solid A. on the pecking pole B. in the nibbling line
17. The whereabouts of the exiled president remains a ______guarded secret. C. at the nipping post D. in the pecking order
A. highly B. closely C. deeply D. entirely 11. The architect has designed a building of immaculate ______in everything. Every
18. We should all______when advertisers attempt to use unfair practices. detail is matched on each side.
A. make a stand B. make a comeback C. make amends D. make a deal A evenness B contrast C symmetry D contradiction
19. The company cannot accept______for injuries resulting from improper use of rental 12. The vegetation on the island was ______.
equipment A. exuberant B. chivalrous C. overcast D. ingenious
A. validity B. liability C. compensation D. privilege 13. We had been looking for the nest for hours before we ______lucky.
20. Following years of intense training, the accomplished athlete ______the medal A. hit B. made C. struck D. came
triumphantly. 14. We don’t have a secretary ______, but we do have a student who comes in to do a
A. took off B. went off C. ran off D. carried off bit of filing.
TASK 6: A. as such B. the least bit C. whatsoever D. little more
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15. Despite ______appearances, he wasn't as crazy as people thought. A. exhaustive B. exorbitant C. execrable D. exalted
A. inward B. outward C. external D. strange 10. Sharon became involved with music in the time-honoured _____through her family.
16. I really need some vacations now so that when I come back I can ______in the A. protocol B. way C. fashion D. procedure
operating theatre. 11. My sisters don't see ______with me about the arrangements.
A. thrive B. grow C. proliferate D. spread A. face to face B. at loggerheads C eye to eye D. on tenterhooks
17. The first ______of the ladder is important in your career. 12. The Chancellor is ______with the Prime Minister over public spending.
A. step B. grade C. push D. rung A. face to face B. at loggerheads C. eye to eye D. on tenterhooks
18. After hours and hours trying to solve the problem, I was at my ______end. 13. He was still on pins and needles waiting for his directors' decision about the job.
A. nerves' B. wits' C. humours' D. tethers' A. face to face B. at loggerheads C eye to eye D. on tenterhooks
19. Her punky hairstyle showed she was not one for following the ______. 14. The principles of democracy are sometimes in ______with political reality.
A. flock B. herd C. swarm D. group A. conflict B. rivalry C. odds D. friction
20. There wasn't a ______of truth in what he said. 15. She gave him a sweet smile, totally at ______with the look of dislike in her eyes.
A. ray B. lump C. grain D.pinch A. conflict B. rivalry C. odds D. friction
TASK 7: 16. Their conclusions run ______to any simple proletarianisation thesis about the
1. Vlasov showed great energy and leadership ______, transforming his division into a effects of new technology on skill.
conspicuous example of efficiency. A. counter B. against C. opposed D. opposite
A. attributes B. features C. values D. qualities 17. She was ______ to tears by their criticisms.
2. The difference is scarcely perceptible to the ______reader. A. brought down B. diminished C. reduced D.belittled
A.common B. medium C. average D. middle 18. Don't ______her piano playing just because you're jealous.
3. Kids today are ______on a constant diet of pop music and television. A. bring down B. diminish C. reduce D.belittle
A. fostered B. raised C. nurtured D. grown 19. On his wanderings he's picked up Spanish, Italian, French and a(n) _____of Russian
4. They feel strongly that their religion is ______with the political system. A. command B. smattering C.knowing D. acquaintance
A. incongruous B. inconsistent C. incidential D. incompatible 20. She's a ______vegetarian and refuses to eat any poultry or fish
5. These findings are ______with those of previous studies. A. firm B. devout C. staunch D. strict
A. incongruous B. inconsistent C. incidental D. incompatible TASK 8:
6.Such traditional methods seem ______in our technical age. 1. Be realistic! You can’t go through life looking at the world through _______.
A. incongruous B. inconsistent C. incidental D. incompatible A. rosed-coloured spectacles B. bright sights
7. Eye problems can indicate an unhealthy lifestyle with ______suppression of the C. magnificent spectacles D. green fingers
immune system 2. I realized ______ that he was a thief.
A. subsequent B. consequent C. attendant D. relevant A. sooner of later B. all along C. at the beginning D. eventually
8. This is by no means an ______list but it gives an indication of the many projects 3. The minister made no _______ of any further negotiations.
taking place A mention B. comment C. indication D. remark
A. exhaustive B. exorbitant C. execrable D. exalted 4. I don't think Jones and Marlowe should work together on this project. They have
9. She was the only woman to rise to such an ______position shown us before that they are quite ______as partners.
5
 A. rebellious B. disinterested C. disagreeable D. incompatible A. arm B. sleeve C. face D. brow
20. This is the straw that breaks the ______back.
5. Let me ______ over the matter and give you my decision in a few days. A. horse’s B. mule’s C. donkey’s D. camel’s
A. bite B. munch C. chew D. gnaw TASK 9:
6. Find someone who will let you talk things through, or ______that, write down your 1. She refused to answer questions that ______ her private affairs
thoughts. A. infringed on B. imprinted in C. impinged on D. indulged in
A. except B. failing C. for all of D. given 2. The book is such a ______ that I can not put it down
7. They will need time to ______the proposals we have submitted. A. page-turner B. best-seller C. duvet-cover D. mind-reader
A. lash out B. scroll over C. shrivel up D. mull over 3. The European Parliament has called for a humanitarian conference to be ______ to
8. Karen was terribly nervous before the interview but she managed to pull herself discuss how to tackle the growing crisis.
______and act confidently. A. gathered B. collected C. assembled D. convened
A. through B. over C. together D. off 4. The rates of extreme poverty have halved in recent decades. But 1.2 billion people
9. I don't agree with his policies but I'm going to ______ them for now. still live ______
A. play along with B. play cat and mouse with A. on the house B. on the tenterhooks
C. play havoc with D. play down C. on the breadine D. on the cards
10. His promise is as good as ______. We can rely on him. 5. From football to fashion, from TV to stage, we name the ______ stars whose careers
A. gold B. gem C. diamond D. jewel are likely to rocket in the future.
11. These days the castle is swamped with ________ of tourists. A. out and about B. up and coming C. down and out D. in and out
A. hordes B. cliques C. mobs D. assemblies 6. Obama expressed regret as a US drone strike has______ killed innocent hostages.
12. His flat looks so ______ that it is difficult to believe he just had a party last night. A. incongruously B. vehemently C. inadvertently D. graciously
A. spick and span B. by and large C. safe and sound D. sick and tired 7. You never know whether to take Vic seriously or whether his remarks are tongue in
13. I am not able to go anywhere this weekend because I am up to my ______ in work. ______.
A. neck B. nose C. waist D. ankle A. cheek B. mouth C. tooth D. face
14. Brain cancer requires ______ treatment such as surgery. 8. Applications for the course are coming in thick and ______.
A. aggressive B. confrontational C. malignant D. rigorous A. thin B. quick C. fast D. skin
15. He praised his wife for her dignity under the ______of the tabloid press. 9. Mike ______ the tone of the formal dinner by appearing in a pair of ripped jeans and
A. onslaught B. assault C. onset D. offensive an old T-shirt.
16. The old man led a ____ existence after she left and refused even to see his children. A. set B. lowered C. degraded D. put
A. reclusive B. deserted C. remote D. vacant 10. The exercise routine works in ______ with the diet.
17. I thought I had made it_____ that I didn’t wish to discuss this matter. A. tandem B. league C. hand D. cooperation
A. distinct B. plain C. frank D. straight 11. The audience were in ______ as they watched the latest Aykebourne comedy.
18. We work too much. Our teacher keeps our noses to the ______. A. stitches B. pleats C. tears D. shreds
A. stone B. mill stone C. stonemill D. grindstone 12. Do not mention work to Ray, as it is a sore ______ with him at the moment.
19. He is a simple fellow. He usually wears his heart on his ______. A. finger B. point C. place D. thumb
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13. It is hard to get back into the ______ of things after a long holiday. A. blunt B. curt C. reckless D. ruthless
A. pace B. way C. swing D. rhythm 9. His performance is described in the paper as "a ______ display of physical agility".
14. The trouble with socializing with colleagues is that they usually end up talking____. A. breathtaking B. gripping C. harrowing D. piercing
A. sense B. shop C. back D. safe 10. The police are sometimes more ______with female offenders.
15. Take your mobile phone with you just to be on the ______ side. A. lax B. lenient C. easygoing D. withdrawn
A. sunny B. secure C. straight D. safe 11. Don’t be taken in by his lying, ______ words
16. Dealing with the failed waste incinerator project is a ______ issue in west Norfolk A. slack B. scrupulous C. treacherous D. feeble
A. burning B. heating C.boiling D. firing 12. With the amount of traffic nowadays, even a trip across town is _____with dangers.
17. With the amount of traffic nowadays, even a trip across town is _____ with dangers. A. beset B. surrounded C. assaulted D. devoid
A. beset B. surrounded C. assaulted D. devoid 13. He was forced to ______ control of the company.
18. He was forced to ______ control of the company. A. discard B. relinquish C. quit D. surrender
A. discard B. relinquish C. quit D. surrender 14. Getting up at 8 o’clock was early by her ______
19. Getting up at 8 o’clock was early by her ______ A. reasons B. standards C. limits D. levels
A. reasons B. standards C. limits D. levels 15. The passion of Argentinian football fans ______no bounds
20. He kept telling us about his operation, in the most ______ detail. A. recognizes B. holds C. sees D. knows
A. elaborate B. knotty C. graphic D. burning 16. My library books are a week ______
TASK 10: A. undue B. overdue C. unpunctual D. belated
1. He was ______aware of his lack of experience 17. Every shelf is ______with ornaments.
A. widely B. painfully C. deeply D. heavily A. muddled B. bundled C. cluttered D. burdened
2. As an average retail investor I consider myself ______ capable of understanding the 18. There was a danger of the country reverting to its ______ sin of complacency
operation of crossing networks A. redeeming B. overriding C. besetting D. overwhelming
A. perfectly B. bitterly C. widely D. highly 19. Police are investigating a(n) ______ of burglaries in the Kingsland Road area.
3. The littlest thing tends to anger my mother, so I feel like I have to walk on ______ A. rate B. influx C. tide D. spate
whenever I'm at her house. 20. He kept telling us about his operation, in the most ______ detail.
A. eggshells B. nutshells C. bombshells D. seashells A. elaborate B. knotty C. graphic D. burning
4. Students can be expelled at the ______ of the principal TASK 11:
A. disposition B. dispersal C. discretion D. disposal 1. It was an extremely hostile article which cast _______ on the conduct of the entire
5. He became emotionally ______from his friends and family after the illness. cabinet.
A. distant B. faint C. secluded D. far-away A. criticism B. aspersions C. disapproval D. abuse
6. The sound of his footsteps gradually ______ away. 2. Simon's business has been on the _______ for some time and I understand he's going
A. died B. passed C. vanished D. dwindled into liquidation.
7. He is disliked because of his sly and ______ways of getting what he wants. A. fire B. rocks C. wave D. clouds
A. calculating B. callous C. inquisitive D. meticulous 3. We've made some great improvements over the past three months, but we're still not
8. She dismissed him with a ______nod of the head. out of the _______ .
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 A. jungle B. bush C. dark D. woods 15. The inconsiderate driver was ______ for parking his vehicle in the wrong place.
A. inflicted B. harassed C. condemned D. confined
4. If you had never seen a telly ad, you would be all at ______ with popular culture. 16. From football to fashion, from TV to stage, we name the ______ stars whose
A. crossroads B. distance C. sea D. length careers are likely to rocket in the future.
5. I'd been living in this country for a few years, but it wasn't until I had kids that I felt A. out and about B. up and coming C. down and out D. in and out
like I had really put down ______ here. 17. Obama expressed regret as a US drone strike has______ killed innocent hostages.
A. roots B. seeds C. nuts D. fruits A. incongruously B. vehemently C. inadvertently D. graciously
6. The party was already ______ by the time we arrived. Everyone was singing and 18. How do you calculate the distance to the horizon? As a _____, it’s 7 miles + 1 mile
dancing. per 100 ft above sea level.
A. in full swing B. up in the air C. over the moon D. under a cloud A. trick of the trade B. golden rule C. free hand D. rule of thumb
7. The entire staff was thrown off ______ when the news of the takeover was 19. Just because we’ve had a good year, this does not mean that we cannot do better: we
announced. must not ______.
A. composure B. disarray C. stable D. balance A. have our head in the clouds B. bury our heads in the sand
8. I know you have a good voice and have ambitions to be an opera singer but do not C. count our blessings D. rest on our laurels
give up your day ______ yet. 20. The headmaster at my last school was was a stern disciplinarian and made sure we
A. situation B. work C. job D. place ______ the line.
9. We at Buyrite throw down the ______ to competitors to match us for price, quality A. drew B. faced C. touched D. toed
and service. TASK 12:
A. mitten B. gauntlet C. sword D. hat 1. The designer was given free ______to produce any design he wanted.
10. Sometimes, we don't appreciate the ______ pleasures of life such as a beautiful sky, A rein B range C ride D rope
a cup of coffee with a friend or seeing a good film at the cinema. 2. They were ______over by his kindness and didn’t know what to say.
A. sheer B. simple C. normal D. plain A turned B knocked C hooked D bowled
11. Various ecological issues have come to the ______ since the discovery of the hole 3. The office was closed for a week for refurbishment and now the staff have to deal
in the earth's ozone layer. with the ______that built up during their absence.
A. front B. back C. side D. fore A backstage B backlash C backlog D backdrop
12. The full horror of the war only hit ______ when we started seeing the television 4. Even though there have been setbacks, because of their determination I’m sure
pictures of it. they’ll achieve their goals, ______.
A. base B. down C. home D. back A suffice to say B be that as it may C so be it D come what may
13. The most important parts of your job may seem difficult now but they will become 5. John and Sarah lived in the back of ______and it always took us a whole day to drive
second ______ to you within a couple of weeks. there.
A. instinct B. thought C. nature D. mind A the country B isolation C nowhere D beyond
14. I'm about to start my long-planned swimming regime. But I've got really terrible 6. My parents looked back with ______on the days when all of us lived at home and
cellulite, which makes me feel rather ______ which, they said, were the best years of their lives.
A. self-assured B. self - centred C. self-conscious D. self-evident A nostalgia B reminiscence C homesickness D recollection
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7. I don’t trust him and it really goes against the ______to give him the money. A. constant B. incessant C. steady D. ongoing
A. cloak B. grain C. rice D. grapevine 2. She had a(n) ______ parade of young men coming to visit her.
8. It’s time we had a ________talk with each other in an effort to clear the air. A. constant B. incessant C. steady D. ongoing
A. heart to heart B. eye to eye C. face to face D. cheek to cheek 3. They were able to respond swiftly because they already have a secret ballot strike
9. As she didn’t understand the teacher’s question, she merely gave him a ______ look. mandate over a(n) ______pay dispute.
A. clear B. dim C. blank D. hopeless A. constant B. incessant C. steady D. ongoing
10. Sister Morrison might take ______with me on that matter. 4. The police have expressed ______concern about the missing child's safety.
A. words B. discussion C. issue D. matter A. critical B. essential C. significant D. grave
11. I don't think that revealing your past to your boyfriend scared him _______. 5. Naylor was one of those men who ______ to the challenge of danger.
A. back B. down C. off D. through A. raise B. rise C. ride D. arise
12. There were probably moments when you wondered if anyone spoke the truth or was 6. Like more and more women, she believes marriage would ______her style.
______. A. restricts B. impedes C. obstructs D. cramps
A. spolit for choice B. below par C. off the beg D. on the level 7. He's not nearly such a good writer as he's ______up to be.
13. Substantial members of the ______members ignored the union advice. A. creased B. cracked C. lined D. valued
A. all and sundry B. flesh and blood C. head and shoulders. D. rank and file 8. During the bad weather we experienced a few disasters and events, but they were of
14. Many victims of the earthquake pay _____ to the ones who took them out of rubble. little ______.
A. respects B. homage C. tributes D. deference A. consequence B. result C. care D. circumstance
15. The movie takes considerable liberties ______the novel that it is based on. 9. The costs of gathering the initial data are relatively small in ______to the costs of the
A. to B. out of C. at D. with research itself.
16. Don’t believe Samuel. He just ______an act that he is the most miserable person in A. reference B. affinity C. relation D. connection
the world. 10. The design is ______ from Japanese porcelains of the fourteenth century.
A. puts on B. puts into C. settles up D. settles in A.imitated B. copied C. emulated D. faked
17. Diagnosed with tumor in the brain, she refused to meet her ______but turned to 11. ‘Will you stay for lunch?’ ‘No, but thanks ______’
religion for help. A. all along B. all in all C. all the same D. all told
A. paleontologist B. oncologist C. entomologist D. seismologist 12. I might be going on a training course next week, but it's still ______
18. Their father was a hero in World War II, whose account has awakened ______. A. in the air B. on the air C. off the air D. up in the air
memories of the old days. 13. I don't want to sound ______, but I thought my picture was the best.
A. down-in-the-dumps B. disconsolate C. poignant D. grief-stricken A. big-headed B. blue-eyed C. narrow-minded D. thick-skinned
19. I don't like intellectual novels, serious music or films; my tastes are quite ______. 14. The whole team were ______ at winning the competition.
A. flat-topped B. lowbrow C. shamefaced D. slow-witted A. up in the arms B. on the up and up C. on the cards D. over the moon
20. The sixth time he called me at night was the ______. 15. If you use credit cards to pay off a debt, you're jumping out of the frying pan into
A. lost cause B. last straw C. touch and go D. hot air the ______.
TASK 13: A. fire B. flame C. heat D. blaze
1. The child's ______talking started to irritate her. 16. Some people let their under-fives ______ riot.
9
 A. run B. go C. make D.take 10. They continued fighting despite all the ______they met with.
A. adversities B. amenities C. properties D. liabilities
17. He's of no fixed ______and we found him on the streets. 11. I was informed by the police officer that he would be forced to take me into______.
A. residence B. abode C. home D. domicile A. guardianship B. bail C. custody D. protection
18. The project is being held in ______until agreement is reached on funding it. 12. By being rude to his superiors he is considered to have ______the mark.
A. recess B. suspension C. abeyance D. waiting A. transcended B. outrun C. surpassed D. overstepped
19. I wouldn't want to cast ______ on your honesty. 13. I have been back to the doctor three times and he still hasn't ______the reason for
A. criticism B. aspersions C. disapproval D. abuse all the pain I have been suffering from recently.
10. I need a new French dictionary. Can I pick your ______about the best one to buy? A. indicated B. highlighted C. pinpointed D. looked up
A. brains B. mind C. head D. intellect 14. As soon as the bomb was discovered by one of the cleaning staff, the police had the
TASK 14: area ______ off and no-one was allowed within two blocks of the cafe.
1. I wish he wouldn’t make such unkind and ______remarks. A. fenced B. cordoned C. walled D. isolated
A. lapse B. disparaging C. inconsolable D. rough 15. A couple of boys were ______in the pool.
2. Could you lend me some money to ______ me over to the end of the month? A. impinging on B. larking about C. ploughing ahead D. floating out
A. hand B. tide C. get D. make 16. We were ______the task of writing a report of the college´s games.
3. Lisa attempted to ______ herself with her new boss by volunteering to take on extra A. assigned to B. taken over C. run up D. saddled with
work. 17. Anti-terrorist squad officers ______the area to search for possible bombs.
A. ingratiate B. please C. gratify D. command A. sealed off B. set off C. come through D. split up
4. Before they open the new factory, a lot of the young people round here were ______ 18. The secretary dashed ______the weekly report to his director
the dole. A. up B. off C. of D. for
A. in B. under C. on D. at 19. I ______an important deal yesterday and she was so thrilled!
5. The factory paid ______nearly a million pounds to their employees who were injured A. came across B. mucked up C. shot down D. gunned for
in the explosion. 20. There’s been a slight improvement in his heallth, but he’s not out of the ______ yet.
A. off B. out C. for D. into A. bush B. wood C. hand D. reach
6. Harry blew a ______when his holiday was cancelled. TASK 15:
A. switch B. fuse C. plug D. socket 1. My decision to drop out of university after a year is one I now ______regret.
7. I know you have a good voice and have ambitions to be an opera singer but don’t A. painfully B. harshly C. heavily D. keenly
give up your day______yet. 2. Both the favourite and then the second favourite pulled out. Naturally, we thought we
A. situation B. work C. job D. place were ______ a chance.
8. Not only is little Johnny's grammar incoherent and his spelling atrocious but alsohis A in with B up for C in for D up with
punctuation ______. 3. Don’t quote me. What I am about to say is ______the record.
A. slothful B. sluggish C. hazard D. haphazard A. on B. off C. without D. above
9. The media are always keen on reporting ______. 4. I’m not sure if I’m doing it right, but I’ll try to ______ahead with it anyway.
A. mishaps B. calamities C. reverses D. hardships A. drive B. bang C. touch D. press
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5. We all have to follow the rules, and none of us is ______the law. A. crammed B. stood C. tied D. booked
A. beyond B. over C. above D. onto 19. I was sitting in a train looking out of the window, when my mind suddenly ______
6. He wants to pay the bill himself, but I won’t hear ______it. back to that amazing trip we made to India.
A. from B. about C. of D. for A. put B. flashed C. stirred D. associated
7. When his manager went on a business trip, Smith stepped into the ______and chaired 20. Roberto should try not to let his regrets for what he has done ______away at him.
the meeting. A. come B. eat C. stick D. flood
A. hole B. pool C. breach D. crack TASK 16:
8. James didn’t take ______to your suggestion that she was mean with money. 1. This is not to ______ questions of strategy and tactics, merely to place them in an
A. kindly B. pleasantly C. cheerfully D. agreeably appropriate context.
9. We need a more _______ assessment of the chances of ending this war. A. evade B. shirk C. duck D. dodge
A. moral B. sober C. plain D. vivid 2. You can't ______, it's your duty. You are so lazy!
10. Mark Stringly is rarely interviewed as he hates being in the ______. A. evade B. shirk C. duck D. dodge
A. flashlight B. limelight C. headlight D. floodlight 3. The speed at which you eat strongly ______how much you want to eat.
11. I tried to push my way through the standing passengers to get to the door and, A. sways B. affects C. influences D. impresses
failing to keep my ______about me. 4. Many tourists cannot tell the difference between ______ Indian craftwork and
A. head B. soul C. wits D. mind imported imitations.
12. Steve used to be easy to work with, but since his promotion he’s begun to______. A. real B. authentic C. valid D. natural
A. throw his weight around B. throw in the towel 5. They put forward many ______ reasons for not exporting.
C. throw him off balance D. turn up trumps A. real B. authentic C. valid D. natural
13. The new regime determined to ______compulsory military service. 6. She always showed ______concern for others
A. stop of B. end up C. phase out D. break off A. genuine B. authentic C. valid D. natural
14. As their bookshop wasn’t doing well, they decided to branch ______and sell 7. We had all the usual problems ______upon starting a new business.
compact discs and cassettes as well. A. subsequent B. consequent C. attendant D. relevant
A. out B. over C. down on D. out for 8. She did not tolerate press ______into her private life.
15. I’d been cooped ______in my office all morning so I went out for a walk and a spot A. invasion B. intrusion C. infringement D. interference
of fresh air. 9. They resent foreign ______in the internal affairs of their country
A. over B. by C. down D. up A. invasion B. intrusion C. infringement D. interference
16. Why don’t you get your homework ______with so you can enjoy the rest of the 10. These phone calls are a gross ______of privacy.
evening? A. invasion B. intrusion C. infringement D. interference
A. around B. over C. by D. away 11. They were sued for ______ of copyright.
17. Morag is very good at ______off the teacher in her school. A. invasion B. intrusion C. infringement D. interference
A. sending B. calling C. taking D. putting 12. He was thorough and ______, rather than brilliant.
18. The class went to see the performance of Macbeth because it ______in well with A. pedantic B. laborious C. particular D. conscientious
the project they were doing on Scottish history. 13. Don't be so ______ - does it really matter if I don't pronounce it right?
11
 A. pedantic B. laborious C. particular D. conscientious 9. On the rampant black market prices were particularly ______.
14. Collecting the raw materials proved a long and ______task A. exhaustive B. exorbitant C. execrable D. exalted
A. pedantic B. laborious C. particular D. conscientious 10. The durable goods orders report should help to ______ fears of a marked slowdown
15. Don't expect to have me at your beck and ______. in factory activity.
A. cry B. ring C. need D. call A. avert B. restore C. allay D.hit
16. The ______from the sale will be used to repay the loan. 11. UN troops intervened to ______ a threat of violent conflict.
A. produce B. proceeds C. receipts D. returms A. avert B. restore C. allay D.hit
17. Sometimes even well-meaning interviewers will throw you a really ______question. 12. The recent proposals made by the Royal College of Psychiatrists are unjustified,
A. awkward B. risky C. unpleasant D. touchy unnecessary and ______.
18. We must ______ this notion that you can rely on the state for everything. A. incompatible B. unavoidable` C. unworkable D. insurmountable
A. peter out B. dispel C. disperse D. annihilate 13. Lack of money has proved an almost ______obstacle.
19. Just one of these bombs could ______a city the size of New York. A. incompatible B. unavoidable` C. unworkable D. insurmountable
A. peter out B. dispel C. disperse D. annihilate 14. This history book is completely ______to me.
20. Already there were indications that the contest had helped some of those ______ A. illegible B. impenetrable C. impermeable D. incorrigible
writers emerge from total obscurity. 15. Because he was an ______criminal, he was sentenced to life imprisonment.
A. hopeful B. aspiring C. striving D. wishful A. illegible B. impenetrable C. impermeable D. incorrigible
TASK 17: 16. The current cuts in public expenditure will inevitably ______ this situation.
1. He has been a ______supporter of the Liberal Party for over thirty years. A. exacerbate B. deepen C. sharpen D. fulfill
A. firm B. devout C. staunch D. strict 17. The lecturer wanted to lay ______on the importance of education.
2. She was a ______Catholic and, so far as I am aware, morally unassailable. A.mention B. point C. highlight D. stress
A. firm B. devout C. staunch D. strict 18. The President is clearly in a ______about/over how to tackle the crisis.
3. I'm a ______believer in'where there's a will , there's a way. A. dilemma B. puzzle C. loss D. problem
A. firm B. devout C. staunch D. strict 19. The government is at a ______to know how to tackle the violence.
4. She must know the play ______by now. A. dilemma B. puzzle C. loss D. problem
A. forwards B. backwards C. sideways D. upside down 20. He's studied in the US and has a good ______ of English.
5. You need to become fully ______with the company's procedures. A. command B. smattering C.knowing D. acquaintance
A. conversant B. mindful C. answerable D. attuned TASK 18:
6. The whole venture has been an ______disaster. 1. Recent defeats have ______ his confidence in himself as a player
A. unmatched B. unmitigated C. undiluted D. unmindful A. undermined B. disable C. impeded D. hampered
7. She dealt with the problem with ______skill. 2. People turned out in______to watch the parade on the Independence Day.
A. consummate B. comprehensive C. confirmed D. compulsive A. volume B. mass C. force D. bulk
8. The aim of the repetitions of the same commercial on television is nothing but to 3. Not being able to find my phone number is a pretty____excuse for not contacting me.
brainwash consumers into ______consumption. A. fragile B. frail C. faint D. feeble
A. consummate B. comprehensive C. confirmed D. compulsive 4. We were under no ______about how difficult it would be to achieve our aims.
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 A. fantasies B. daydreams C. illusions D. deceptions 19. It was decided that the cost of the project would be ______and so it was abandoned.
5. The pollution problems in the town have been ______by mass tourism in the summer A. repressive B. prohibitive C. restrictive D. exclusive
months. 20. I didn't really feel like memorizing all these definitions. It was only the risk of
A. exacerbated B. developed C. augmented D. contributed getting another bad mark that made me ______myself.
6. I'm in a bit of a ______as to what to wear to the wedding. A. exert B. absorb C. endeavour D. deploy
A. loss B. quandary C. problem D. bewilderment TASK 19:
7. The problem ______because neither side was prepared to compromise. 1. That old house hasn't been lived in for nearly thirty years, hence the fact that it looks
A. amassed B. escalated C. proliferated D. enhanced so ______.
8. The Red Cross is ______an international aid organization. A. decrepit B. trashed C. rotten D. derelict
A. intriguingly B. intrusively C. intrinsically D. intrepidly 2. Despite harsh criticism, she's sticking to her ______ on this issue.
9. I couldn't stop myself from ______with boredom during the lecture. A. weapons B. guns C. thumb D. neck
A. sighing B. gasping C. panting D. blowing 3. If traffic increases beyond a certain level, the city grinds to a ______.
10. My brother found it impossible to ______his anger and started shouting. A. halt B. stop C. pause D. end
A. restrict B. inhibit C. reserve D. contain 4. Various ecological issues have come to the ______ since the discovery of the hole in
11. Fitting together the thousands of fragments of the broken vase was a long and ____ the earth's ozone layer.
task. A. front B. back C. side D. fore
A. minute B. careful C. painstaking D. minuscule 5. I've seen her perform on television, but never in the ______.
12. You’ll just have to ______yourself to the fact that you can’t always have what you A. meat B. flesh C. blood D. vein
want. 6. The full horror of the war only hit ______ when we started seeing the television
A. acknowledge B. reconcile C. concede D. allow pictures of it.
13. The students had no money left and took out a loan to ______him over until the end A. base B. down C. home D. back
of term. 7. She's always ______ to me about how badly she's treated at work.
A. last B. tend C. keep D. tide A. grumbling B. whining C. objecting D. complaining
14. Money was short and people survived by ______and saving. 8. I didn't mean to leave her name off the list; it was a(n) ______.
A. scrimping B. scavenging C. scouring D. scrounging A. neglect B. disregard C. insult D. oversight
15. Jane was terribly nervous before the interview but she managed to pull herself 9. The most important parts of your job may seem difficult now but they will become
______and act confidently. second ______ to you within a couple of weeks.
A. through B. over C. together D. off A. instinct B. thought C. nature D. mind
16.This is the ______timetable for the conference. It may change later 10. The winning team were roundly criticised by the local media for the way in which
A. conditional B. indefinite C. provisional D. indeterminate they had ______ over the losing team. It was considered very unsporting.
17. She didn’t show even a ______of emotion when the court found her guilty. A. gloated B. relished C. showed up D. dominated
A. gleam B. wink C. flicker D. flash 11. Jack was disappointed not to be promoted as he was given to ______ that the job
18. Few people can do creative work unless they are in the right ______of mind. would be his.
A. trend B. frame C. attitude D. tendency A. know B. understand C. realize D. say
13
12. I retired three years ago and didn't know what to do with myself. Getting this dog 4. A full scholarship to Harvard and you are worried about leaving your job? You’d be
has given me a new ______of life. a fool to _____ up a chance like that.
A. burst B. loan C. lease D. extension A. turn B. brush C. pass D. cast
13. I found the last scene extremely ______ and particularly well - directed. 5. He admitted taking a bribe and he doesn’t think he’s ______his chances of getting re-
A. pathetic B. sympathetic C. pitiful D. moving elected?
14. I'm about to start my long-planned swimming regime. But I've got really terrible A. pulled B. wiped C. thrown D. blown
cellulite, which makes me feel rather ______ 6. Given the appalling weather conditions on top of the mountain, I’d say the chances of
A. self-assured B. self - centred C. self-conscious D. self-evident their finding any survivors are very ______indeed.
15. What can we do to persuade drivers that alcohol can turn a car into a A. narrow B. lean C. remote D. shallow
______weapon? 7. I suppose there is a ___ chance that he could win, but I can’t see it happening myself.
A. lethal B. fatal C. mortal D. venal A. thin B. slim C. meagre D. short
16. Large UK-owned companies are ______ their European rivals when it comes to 8. If someone offered me a posting in South Africa, I’d _______ at the chance.
creating wealth, a study has concluded. A. bound B. jump C. grab D. seize
A. outstripping B. catching up C. overruning D. exceeding 9. During winter the shelters are full of people of no fixed _______.
17. The government’s failure to regulate inflation has _____ long-term damage on the A. residence B. abode C. home D. domicile
country’s economic stability, leading to a sharp decline in investor confidence and 10. Until your finances are in the _______, it is not a good idea to take out a loan.
widespread financial hardship. A. credit B. funds C. profit D. black
A. induced B. inflicted C. imposed D. wreaked 11. The matter has been left in ______ until the legal ramifications have been explored.
18. Another, perhaps inspired by the nursery rhyme, is that a(n) ______ for sweet things A. recess B. suspension C. abeyance D. waiting
during pregnancy makes you more likely to be having a girl, while a boy will make you 12. It was an extremely hostile article which cast ______on the conduct of the entire
crave savoury, salty foods, meat and cheese in particular. cabinet.
A. inspiration B. affinity C. predilection D. propensity A. criticism B. aspersions C. disapproval D. abuse
19. The inconsiderate driver was ______ for parking his vehicle in the wrong place. 13 Could I pick your ______on the subject before the meeting?
A. inflicted B. harassed C. condemned D. confined A. brains B. mind C. head D. intellect
20. The proposal would ______ a storm of protest around the country 14. Simon's business has been on the ______ for some time and I understand he's going
A. spark B. sparkle C. ignite D. trigger into liquidation.
TASK 20: A. fire B. rocks C. wave D. clouds
1. The juvenile delinquent was place on ______for a year. 15. She wouldn’t have heard anything. She is ______deaf.
A. trial B. charge C. probation D. surveillance A. stone B. rock C. post D. bat
2. I soon got the ______of the new machine. 16. We've made some great improvements over the past three months, but we're still not
A. hang B. sway C. string D. drift out of the ______.
3. Harry was offered a scholarship to study in Japan and he ______the opportunity with A. jungle B. bush C. dark D. woods
both hands.
A. grasped B. grabbed C. held D. passed 17. We need a process that ______ corrupt police officers.
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 A. tides over B. beats about C. barks up D. weeds out A. severely B. strictly C. sharply D. harshly
18. If you had never seen a telly ad, you would be all at ______ with popular culture. 13. These results contrast ______with other medical tests carried out in Australia.
A. crossroads B. distance C. sea D. length A. severely B. strictly C. sharply D. harshly
19. Kristina felt on top of the ______ when she won the beauty pageant. 14. I felt a bit ______and seemed to have more aches and pains than usual.
A. world B. earth C. sky D.universe A. out of sorts C. on the mend B. over the worst D. under the fever
20. Mary is the black ______of the family. She's always in trouble with the police. 15. A: ‘Oh, I’m exhausted! I’ve been doing homework all day.’
A. dog B. cat C. sheep D. horse B: ‘Come and put your _______ up for 5 minutes and I’ll make you a cup of tea.’
TASK 21: A. hands B. hair C. heart D. feet
1. Don't ______a hard bargain over such a little thing . 16. I overslept this morning and caught the last bus to school by the skin of my ______.
A. make B. push C. drive D. bring A. mouth B. leg C. neck D. teeth
2. His patience began to wear ______ during the long wait. 17. If you want a flat in the centre of the city, you have to pay through the ______ for it.
A. thin B. rusty C. empty D. perished A. teeth B. head C. nose D. arm
3. And undoubtedly, their mysterious, indefinable quality is the source of their ______ 18. You will be putting your life on the _______ if you take up skydiving.
power. A. ground B. line C. way D. lane
A. disconcerting B. disembodied C. dismissive D. discordant 19. As far as her future goes, Olivia is ____. She hasn't got a clue what career to follow.
4. The depths of this understanding - which I had not at all expected - put me in a A. on the level B. all at sea C. behind the scenes D. in the know
______. 20. Your husband was a bit out of control at the party, to _______ mildly.
A. doubt B. quandary C. hitch D. complexity A. take it B. put it C. say D. tell
5. He walked out after a ______row with his wife. TASK 22:
A. blazing B. heated C. stormy D. smouldering 1. We’d been working hard for a month and so decided to go out and ______.
6. I am ______ to listen to your pathetic excuses. A. paint the town red B. face the music
A. sick and tired B. in no mood C. having enough D. sick to death C. read between the lines D. steal the show
7. Anyone who breaks the law does so at their ______ 2. The country is an economic ______ with chronic unemployment and rampant crime.
A. peril B. interest C. stake D. doubt A. lost cause B. basket case C. false dawn D. dark horse
8. Thousands of lives will be at _____ if emergency aid does not arrive in the city soon. 3. You’ve got to ______ to succeed in advertising.
A. peril B. interest C. stake D. doubt A. go to your head B. have your wits about you
9. Sandra will be at least 15 minutes late - that's a ______ C. have your head in the clouds D. gather your wits
A. must B. definite C. deal D. given 4. The Prime Minister will decide whether to release the prisoner or not; that’s his ____.
10. The researchers determined that concentration effects are applicable to A. prerogative B. derogatory C. abdication D. humanity
overrepresented minorities living in ______ impoverished ghettos. 5. The Secretary of State handled the matter ______ and prevented a war.
A. severely B. strictly C. sharply D. harshly A. adroitly B. intensely C. abjectly D. slightly
11. She's been told that her husband is being______ treated in prison. 6. The robbery was carried out in ___ daylight and with hundreds of witnesses present.
A. severely B. strictly C. sharply D. harshly A. open B. wide C. broad D. clear
12. Alcohol is ______ forbidden on school premises.
15
7. Most of the examination is written but there is also a(n) _____ part which I am really 19. The judge declared a ______today due to unfair media coverage and the trial will be
worried about. restarted again early next year.
A. vocal B. verbal C. oral D. wordy A. postponement B. annulment C. cancellation D. mistrial
8. ______ with anger, Mr. Jensson stormed into the local tax office and demanded to 20. His performance was so spectacular that he was ______out for praise by the team
see someone about his case which had dragged on for nearly three years. manager at the end of the game.
A. Brimming B. Pouring C. Stewing D. Seething A. singled B. filtered C. distinguished D. selected
9. When I say I want you to be here at six o'clock, I mean six o'clock ______.You TASK 23:
cannot be late under any circumstances! 1. There is a large effort ______to rebuild arts education in the New York city public
A. on the edge B. at the moment C. on the dot D. in detail schools.
10. The opposition protests against the government now threaten to get out of ______ A. under way B. a long way C. out of the way D. in the way
and the security forces are likely to make arrests around the country today. 2. A woman who appears to be a ______person who lives under bridges, turns out to be
A. reach B. kilter C. hand D. the ordinary has a metamorphose into a princess and has a regal personage.
11. Fingerprints are the most ______ types of evidence used in criminal cases because A. tumble-down B. downcast C. run-down D. down-and-cast
it’s one of the most reliable forms of identification 3. It included 105 job losses and a ______in shift work, with some of the large staff
A. culpable B. incriminating C. liable D.offending numbers recruited in the past year expected to be let go first
12. The inconsiderate driver was ______ for parking his vehicle in the wrong place. A. breakdown B. layout C. cutback D. out-take
A. inflicted B. harassed C. condemned D. confined 4. I was so tired that I just ______ in the armchair
13. Another, perhaps inspired by the nursery rhyme, is that a(n) ______ for sweet things A. flaked out B. broke up C. dropped out D. fell over
during pregnancy makes you more likely to be having a girl, while a boy will make you 5. Our teacher tends to ______ certain subjects which she finds difficult to talk about
crave savoury, salty foods, meat and cheese in particular. A. boil down B. string along C. skate over D. track down
A. inspiration B. affinity C. predilection D. propensity 6. It’s a good idea to ______ people before taking them into your confidence
14. Most of the old road has been ______ by the great interstate highways A. tumble to B. root out C. bank on D. size up
A. overdone B. superseded C. excelled D. overwhelmed 7. Some people can just ______ a cold,but my colds seem to linger for weeks
15. She got very ______working such long hours A. shrug off B. cough up C. pull through D. stamp out
A. tumble-down B. downcast C. run-down D. down - and – out 8. The man in the market was selling leather coats very cheaply: they were such
16. Just because we’ve had a good year, this does not mean that we cannot do better: we bargains that were soon ______.
must not ______. A. cleared off B. done for C. bought out D. snapped up
A. have our head in the clouds B. bury our heads in the sand 9. I couldn’t remember where I had left my car, when it suddenly ______ me that I
C. count our blessings D. rest on our laurels didn’t have a car any longer!
17. As soon as the problem at work blew up, he instantly thought about how he could A.dawned on B.ran into C.went through D.tumbled to
come out of it looking good. He is such a ______person. 10. After years of working together, the partners found themselves ______linked.
A. self-evident B. self-conscious C. self-centred D. selfless A. permanently B. indelibly C. perpetually D. inextricably
18. We carried on down the path, ______of the notice warning of avalanche risk. 11. The medicine takes one hour to _______.
A. careless B. carefree C. heedless D. blind A. bear with B. kick in C. make out D. get by
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12. Jennifer _______ the invitation to join us for dinner. 6. I always clean the flat before my mom comes round, but she always find at least one
A. called on B. come out C. got out of D. passed on ______ of dust and says it’s filthy.
13. It takes a very determined person to achieve results as good as this; you really have A. scrap B. gust C. speck D. blade
to put your______ to it. 7. As winter ends, I always seem to feel a ______ of energy.
A. mind B. head C. brain D. thoughts A. charge B. spring C. revival D. burst
14. There's a______ balance between success and failure. 8. The entire staff was thrown off _____ when the news of the takeover was announced.
A. small B. narrow C. fine D. light A. composure B. disarray C. stable D. balance
15. The manager hesitated to assign the job to the newcomer as he was______. 9. Gavin will ______ to the challenge of his new promotion.
A. wet behind the ears B. feeling your ears burning A. raise B. rise C. ride D. arise
C. ringing in your ears D. keeping your ears open 10. I know you have a good voice and have ambitions to be an opera singer but do not
16..I’m afraid Jennifer’s very ______ . She believes everything she’s told. give up your day ______ yet.
A. gullible B. trustworthy C. credible D. honest A. situation B. work C. job D. place
17. I slept badly last night and am feeling particularly ______ this morning. 11. I am in the ______ as to where Chris was last night.
A. slow-witted B. far-reaching C. off-hand D. top-heavy A. shade B. dark C. pink D. black
18. Unanswered, the demands for nuclear deterrents have ______fears of civil war. 12. Breaking his leg dealt a _____ to his chances of becoming a professional footballer.
A. flashed up B. prognosticated C. sidetracked D. stoked up A. thump B. strike C. hit D. blow
19. A new computer has been produced, which will ______ all previous models 13. Let’s make a dash for the train now as the rain seems to be ______ off.
A.overdo B.supersede C.excel D.overwhelm A. easing B. slowing C. reducing D. running
20. My cousin was nervous about being interviewed on television, but she rose to the 14. Our firm is so successful because it is at the cutting _____ of compoter technology.
______wonderfully. A. limit B. fringe C. verge D. edge
A. event B. performance C. incident D. occasion 15. Monsoon Wedding was described as a cinematic jewel when it hit the _____ screen.
TASK 24: A. golden B. silver C. bronze D. diamond
1. His fee is a drop in the ______ compared with the real cost of broadcasting. 16. For busy people in today’s society, lifestyle management is gaining ______ .
A. bucket B. ocean C. lake D. sea A. points B. speed C. ground D. terrain
2. I'd been living in this country for a few years, but it wasn't until I had kids that I felt 17. We at Buyrite throw down the ______ to competitors to match us for price, quality
like I had really put down ______ here. and service.
A. roots B. seeds C. nuts D. fruits A. mitten B. gauntlet C. sword D. hat
3. I'm absolutely ______ under with work at the moment. 18. This time she's leaving for ______. She will never return.
A. snowed B. iced C. rained D. fogged A. all B. always C. good D. once
4. I have been ______ by ill health ever since I left university. 19. The old house was ______furnished and we had to buy almost everything new.
A. hounded B. wormed C. ducked D. dogged A. thinly B. sparsely C. mildly D. rarely
5. It was a very wild winter. I think we had one ______ of snow and that was it. 20. Sometimes, we don't appreciate the ______ pleasures of life such as a beautiful sky,
A. gust B. flurry C. drop D. patch a cup of coffee with a friend or seeing a good film at the cinema.
A. sheer B. simple C. normal D. plain
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 TASK 25: A. ground B. way C. lane D. line
1. I’ve got something of great importance to______ to you 16. After the concert, everyone had to______home through the thick snow.
A. impair B. impart C. compare D. deport A. trudge B. tread C. trace D. trickle
2. He praised his wife for her dignity under the______ of the tabloid press. 17. When his parents are away, his older brother______.
A. onslaught B. assault C. onset D. offensive A. knocks it off B. calls the shot
3. The Roundhouse Hotel is______ named for its shape. C. draws the line D. is in the same boat
A. despicably B. eerily C. aptly D. wantonly 18. Unfortunately, not all of us obtain our j.ust______in life.
4. Commentators should think twice before reviving this ugly stereotype in an attempt A. demands B. gains C. deserts D. wins
to______ police for killing a black teenager. 19. It is public knowledge that new magazines often use free gifts or other______to get
A. apportion B. decriminalize C. exculpate D. discharge people to buy them.
5. She’s still______ over whether to accept the job she’s just been offered. A. gimmicks B. snare C. plots D. scams
A. tottering B. doddering C. dithering D. faltering 20. When his manager went on a business trip, Mario stepped into the______and
6. Several fans have claimed that they were______by security guards. chaired the meeting.
A. inundated B. cloaked C. manhandled D. acquiesced A. hole B. breach C. pool D. crack
7. You could feel the child's______rise as we neared the amusement park.
A. spectacle B. exuberance C. abundance D. plethora
8. Brain cancer requires treatment such as______surgery.
A. aggressive B. confrontational C. malignant D. rigorous
9. She went on and on about how she admired his work - laid it on a bit______, if you
ask me.
A. sticky B. sick C. soft D. thick
10. I’m______my brother is.
A. nowhere like ambitious as B. nothing near as ambitious as
C. nothing as ambitious like D. nowhere near as ambitious as
11. The police______off the street where the bomb had gone off.
A. battened B. cordoned C. fastened D. shuttered
12. The smell of the burnt cabbage was so ______that it spread to every zoom.
A. pervasive B. effusive C. extensive D. diffuse
13. Why did you ____and mention the party to Roger? It was supposed to be a surprise.
A. have kittens B. put the cat among the pigeons
C. let the cat out of the bag D. kill two birds with one stone
14. The judge released him on ______but he’ll have to appear in court again next week.
A. sentence B. bail C. punishment D. fine
15. You will be putting your life on the ______if you take up skydiving.
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