Lexico Practice For Nec 2 Key

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KEY AND EXPLANATION
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Test 41
1. The boy who was caught _____ candy or little toys many times but was never
punished by his mother grew up to be a thief.
A snitching B burgling C ransacking D pilfering
Key: D
pilfer (v) = to steal things of little value or in small quantities
2. Some students attempted to _____ the teacher while the others prepared the surprise
birthday party for her.
A stall B haul C swathe D wane
Key: A
stall (v) = to make somebody wait so that you have more time to do something 3.
Adam has no right to _____ his position on how much our class should donate,
that is our internal affair
A hammer out B screen out C stake out D take out
Key: C
stake out = to state your opinion, position, etc. on something very clearly
4 Getting into the third round of 2022 World Cup is a real _____ for the Vietnam
national team.
A coup B deed C epic D crusade
Key: A
coup (n) = the fact of achieving something that was difficult to do
5. The four-week circuit _____ will come into force tomorrow with the closure of pubs,
bars, restaurants and non-essential shops.
A breaker B spell C respite D span
Key: A
circuit breaker (n) = a short period during which laws are in place to limit
people's movements, especially to require most people to stay at home in order to stop
the spread of disease
6. The old owners of the homestay are extremely hospitable and whenever I travel to
Dalat, I know there will always be a _____ welcome awaiting me.
A. princely B. heart-rending C. profound D. abstruse
Key: A
princely (adj) = impressive or generous
7. School ends at 5 so my only choice is to _____ a chocolate bar on my way to my
extra Math class, which starts only 10’ later.
A. rattle through B. scarf down C. romp through D. scuff down
Key: B
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scarf down = to eat something very quickly

8. Having performed excellently in the Quidditch match, Ron _____ his moment of
glory, holding the trophy up to the crowd.
A blazed up B clocked up C plunged in D basked in
Key: D
bask in something = to enjoy the good feelings that you have when other people praise or
admire you, or when they give you a lot of attention
9. The image of peace and prosperity appearing on TV is rather _____ and does not
reflect the actual situation of the city.
A factious B factitive C factive D factional
Key: A
factitious (adj) = not real but created deliberately and made to appear to be true 10. Of
course we all love a better quality fridge, but for a low-income family like us, it’s better
to cut your _____ according to your cloth.
A cloak B coat C clothes D gloves
Key: B
cut your coat according to your cloth = to do only what you have enough money to do
and no more
11. There are many problems that laws don’t intervene and it totally rests with the
moral _____ of each individual to prevent wrongdoings.
A fibre B anchor C rigidity D latitude
Key: A
moral fibre (n) = the inner strength to do what you believe to be right in difficult
situations
12. My boyfriend refused to climb up the treetop with me because he doesn’t have a
_____ for heights.
A heart B head C soul D foot
Key: B
if somebody does not have a head for heights, they feel nervous and think they are
going to fall when they look down from a high place
13. I have received many warnings about my studies recently and was
threatened to be grounded by my parents, another low grade this time will be
_____ to me.
A the last straw B the final nail in the coffin
C the parting shot D the drop in the bucket
Key: B
the final nail in the coffin = an event, decision, action, etc., that seals, confirms, or
ultimately leads to the failure of a situation or event that has already begun to fail
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14. I thought willpower was enough to take me to the finish line, but when my
muscles got sore and my body was exhausted, I knew I had _____.
A hit the deck B hit the sack
C hit the wall D hit the roof
Key: C
hit the wall = to reach a point when you cannot continue or make any more
progress
15. He was brought up in an educated family but hanging out with the street children
has turned him into a(n) _____ young man with bad manners.
A uncouth B profane C impious D stoic
Key: A
uncouth (adj = (of a person or their behaviour) rude or socially unacceptable
Word form
1. The police had been on _____ in our neighborhood for a week to collect
evidence before they arrested the drug dealer. (STAKE)
2. Meeting the first girl he loved after 8 years, old feelings _____ in the heart of the
married man. (FACE)
3. I later put my shoes back on because shells and gravel made walking _____ on the
beach uncomfortable for me. (FOOT)
4. Although the technique seems simple compared to those of modern days, paper
produced by Cai Lun was considered _____ at that time. (GROUND)
5. The German recycling system provides a _____ against which schemes in other
nations can be measured. (BENCH)
1 STAKEOUT (n) = a situation in which police watch a building secretly to find

evidence of illegal activities
2 RESURFACED (v) = to appear again after disappearing 3
BAREFOOT (adv) = without shoes or stocking
4 GROUNDBREAKING (adj) = involves making new discoveries, using new
methods
5 BENCHMARK (n) = something that can be measured and used as a standard that other
things can be compared with
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Test 42
1. As courageous as he seems to be, Falstaff is nothing but a _____ coward who
would flee first in the face of threat.
A stoic B spineless C deviant D shrewd
Key: B
spineless (adj) = (of people) weak and easily frightened
2. The game turned into a _____ when Harry caught the golden snitch, with the
Gryffindor winning by 180 to 40.
A rout B shutout C fit D bash
Key: A
rout (n) = a situation in which somebody is defeated completely in a battle or
competition
3. “Under the hawthorn” is a(n) _____ tale of pure young love set during the
Cultural Revolution that has brought many people to tears.
A amorous B poignant C mordant D doting
Key: B
poignant (adj) = having a strong effect on your feelings, especially in a way that makes
you feel sad
4. When the school year ends and I won’t have to meet my annoying deskmate again, I
will definitely tell her the _____!
A Ps and Qs B home truth C good grief D nuts and bolts
Key: B
home truth = a true but unpleasant fact about yourself that another person tells you
5. I had an ambition of getting the First prize in the National Contest, but I knew it was
just a _____ in the sky.
A pig B star C buffalo D pie
Key: D
a pie in the sky = something good that is unlikely to happen
6. After having a whale of a time at my wedding yesterday, my colleague was looking
a little _____ when he came to work this morning.
A around the bend C B in a fog
off his trolley D green around the gills
Key: D
green around the gills = to look ill, as if going to vomit
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7. Temporarily, the number of COVID-19 cases has ceased to increase, but I

can see more problems _____. A
carrying the day B coming down the pike
C arriving on the scene D drifting with the tide
Key: B
come down the pike = to happen; to become easy to notice
8. The authority seems powerless to _____ of violence across the city after the new law
was implemented.
A beat the air B hold the fire C stem the tide D step off the curb
Key: C
stem the tide = stop something from increasing or continuing
9. The small-scale demonstration later escalated into a _____ battle with the police,
involving more than 800 protesters and causing serious traffic congestion
across the city.
A pitched B racked C heaped D scrap
Key: A
pitched battle (n) = a fight that involves a large number of people
10. What this government is doing to its female citizens is clearly gender
discrimination under the _____ of religion.
A gown B coat C cape D cloak
Key: D
cloak (n) = a thing that hides or covers somebody/something
11. In the system of constitutional monarchy, the Queen may have privilege but she has
no real political _____.
A loft B swathe C clout D nought
Key: C
clout (n) = power and influence
12. The needs of today's children cannot be met by the traditional _____ of
education we’re using, in which emphasis is placed solely on theoretical
knowledge.
A prototype B paradigm C emblem D epitome
Key: B
paradigm (n) = a model of sth
13. Newspapers _____ tributes to Professor Albus Dumbledore after his heroic sacrifice
in the battle against the evils.
A bristled with B hedged in C plucked at D talked into
Key: A
bristle with = to have a large amount of something, or to be full of something 14. My
parents thought the costs of the trip would only remain in their calculations,
but unexpected additional expenses later _____ their budget.
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A drank in B gobbled up C harped on D copped out

gobble up = to use something very quickly
15. Scout decided that her brother Jem needed some time to _____ after a terrible
night so she tried to keep some distance from him.
A cry off B drill down C come off D simmer down
simmer down = to become calm after a period of anger or excitement
Word form
1. Many gun shops offer _____ services on the premises for customers to buy, custom
and fix right at the shop. (GUN)
2. The science fair is an annual event of this school and is regarded as a(n) _____ of
their scientific superiority. (SHOW)
3. With so many areas of ancient _____ being cut down, many rare species are put under
threat of habitat loss and extinction. (WOOD)
4. My children always take pride in their grandmother, who is a(n) _____ of the
Vietnam People’s Navy with lots of old stories to tell. (SERVICE)
5. My whole family has agreed on the living room design but wood _____ is still
something that requires consideration due to its cost. (FLOOR)
1 GUNSMITH (n) = a person who makes and repairs guns

2 SHOWCASE (n) = an event that presents somebody’s abilities or the good
qualities of something in an attractive way
3 WOODLAND (n) = an area of land that is covered with trees
4 EX-SERVICEWOMAN (n) = a woman who used to be in the army, navy 5
FLOORING (n) = material used to make the floor of a room
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Test 43
1. It is high time we canceled our marketing campaign as it hasn’t helped to
_____ in sales for months. A
move the needle B beat the drum D
C tip the scales change tack
Key: A
move the needle = to cause a noticeable change in something.
2. I'm not surprised that Tina showed up with purple hair today—she loves
_____ with her hair color. A
kicking the bucket B getting the ball rolling
C drawing straws D ringing the changes
Key: D
ring the changes = to continually alter or change something
3. I think I will _____, it is unacceptable for a student to hold a racist attitude
towards his teacher.
A tell him a thing or two B pick his moment
C tick off on his fingers D get his brain in gear
Key: A
tell sb a thing or two = to correct or confront someone about his, her, or their
mistaken belief or incorrect point of view
4. He is a careful guy who will always get his _____ in a row before he starts doing
anything.
A dogs B chickens C ducks D kids
Key: C
get one's ducks in a row = to get everything well organized and under control 5. After
the seventh time Ally came late to work, the teacher lost her patient and hauled him over
_____.
A the fire B woods C boiling water D the coals
Key: D
haul sb over the coals = to speak angrily to sb
6. The green protest is expected to _____ steam after the minister allows the
construction of a shopping center in place of the park.
A pick up B take up C carve up D clock up
Key: A
pick up steam = to become gradually more powerful, active, etc
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7. It is hard to understand what led to a prejudicial attitude and _____ hatred of women
in a person brought up in a progressive family like him.
A foul B obnoxious C pathological D innocuous
Key: C
pathological (adj) = not reasonable or sensible; impossible to control
8. With a record of 22000 flying hours, Callaghan proved to be an _____ and shrewd
pilot for these storms.
A inimitable B imperturbable C impermeable D unshakeable
Key: B
imperturbable (adj) = not easily upset or worried by a difficult situation; calm
9. In this story, the criminal is depicted as a person with a genius mind and a _____
pleasure in watching others suffer.
A ascetic B dexterous C stoic D perverted
Key: D
perverted (adj) = not thought to be normal or acceptable by most people
10. The view from the top of LangBiang was so breathtaking that we just stood there
_____ the scenery.
A bristling up in B breaking in C drilling in D drinking in
Key: D
drink in = to look at or listen to something with great interest and pleasure
11. I think you had better spend some time to _____ certain factors before
applying for that position, the deadline is still far away
A mull over B bowl over C sleep over D boil over
Key: A
mull over = to spend time thinking carefully about a plan or proposal
12. Recent inconsiderate statements Mr. Key made in the public are believed to be
_____ to the cooperation between our company and the DYC.
A innocuous B prejudicial C vacuous D sinister
Key: B
prejudicial (adj) = harming or likely to harm somebody/something
13. As coincidental as the first time they met each other, that actually was also part of
her scheme to _____ this rich guy.
A snarf B snark C snarl D snare
Key: D
snare (v) = to catch something, especially an animal
14. As a public figure, whose life and behavior are the focus of intense public interest,
I have gradually become _____ to criticism and scrutiny.
A impermeable B impertinent C impervious D imperious
Key: C
impervious (adj) = not affected or influenced by something
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15. My aunt is clearly bathing in the reflected _____ of her son’s outstanding
performance and enviable achievements in the National Contest.
A glow B glory C fame D splendor
Key: B
reflected glory = respect or admiration that is given to someone, not because of what
they are or what they have done, but because of what someone they know has done
Word form
1. The second time the player was shown the yellow card for his _____ actions during
the game, he was dismissed from the field. (SPORT)
2. The prevalence of illegal drug _____ in the Philippines is lower than the global
average, partly thanks to strict drug policies in this country. (TRAFFIC)
3. I think hibiscus will do poorly as a _____, given the fact that it is native to
tropical regions and adores full sun. (PLANT)
4. Imported coffee is having a difficult time trying to find a _____ in the
Vietnamese market Vietnam. (FOOT)
5. I don’t have the _____ to stay on a diet so the only way for me to lose weight is
exercising. (POWER)
1 UNSPORTING (adj) = not fair or generous in your behaviour or treatment of others,

especially of an opponent in a game
2 TRAFFICKING (n) = the activity of buying and selling something illegally 3
HOUSEPLANT (n) = a plant that you keep indoors
4 FOOTHOLD (n) = a strong position in a business, profession, etc. from which
somebody can make progress and achieve success
5 WILLPOWER (n) = the ability to control your own thoughts and the way in which
you behave
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Test 44
1. There is no _____ that will help you lose weight without effort, the only way is to
exercise and follow a diet.
A smoking gun B silver bullet C straight arrow D golden brick
Key: B
silver bullet = something that provides an immediate and extremely effective
solution to a given problem or difficulty, especially one that is normally very
complex or hard to resolve
2. Make sure you have researched your position thoroughly before the debate, you
definitely don’t want to bring _____ to a gunfight.
A a sword B a bow C a knife D an arrow
Key: C
bring a knife to a gunfight = to come poorly prepared or equipped for some task, goal,
competition, or confrontation
3. Baking a hundred cakes in two days is undeniably a _____ order, but I believe we will
manage it with unity.
A tall B high C huge D big
Key: A
a tall order = a particularly difficult task to complete or accomplish
4. The runner was far ahead for most of the race, but at the end she won only _____
A larger than life B by a whisker C on the dot D a notch above
Key: B
by a whisker = by a very short distance
5. Large cities like New York are usually _____ when it comes to adopting new
technology.
A before the wind B beyond depth C above bend D ahead of the curve
Key: D
ahead of the curve = at the forefront of or leading in something, such as a
developing situation, field of study or business, social development, etc
6. Slowly, she shed the ideological and emotional _____ of her upbringing in her
effort to become a more open and positive person.
A backpack B package C baggage D luggage
Key: C
baggage (n) = the beliefs and attitudes that somebody has as a result of their past
experiences
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7. Born in the Soviet Union during the 1930s, my father was so deeply
influenced by the contemporary sociopolitical context that socialism has
become a(n) _____ of faith with him.
A realm B article C element D clause
Key: B
article of faith (n) = something you believe very strongly, as if it were a religious belief
8. Despite _____ efforts by our physiotherapists, my hamstring did not recover in time
for the race.
A staunch B valiant C intrepid D vigorous
Key: B
valiant (adj) = very brave or determined, especially when things are difficult or the
situation gives no cause for hope
9. The _____ of Skull and Bones, of which George H.W. Bush is a member, is a secret
society founded at Yale University in 1832.
A clique B order C assembly D stratum
Key: B
order (n) = a secret society
10. Being the son of Howard Stark-a brilliant inventor, Tony had shown a natural _____
for mechanical engineering since a young age.
A concord B rapport C affinity D preferment
Key: C
affinity (n) = a strong feeling that you understand somebody/something and like them or
it
11. Now that he realised he was losing the most important girl in his life, he
dropped all _____ of dignity and rushed down the street after her.
A semblance B vestige C inkling D portent
Key: A
semblance of sth = a situation in which something seems to exist although this may not,
in fact, be the case
12. How sad it is to see with your own eyes the squalor and poverty that lay behind
the glittering _____ of Dubai.
A facade B antenna C masquerade D camouflage
Key: A
facade (n) = the way that somebody/something appears to be, which is different from the
way somebody/something really is
13. I will remain in a holding _____ until the schedule is announced because I won’t
be able to join in the trip if the contest takes place next month.
A position B pattern C seat D fit
Key: B
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a holding pattern = a situation in which you cannot act because you are waiting for the
result of something
14. I realize it myself, without _____, that I really have an extraordinary talent for
learning foreign languages!
A autocracy B egocentricity C conceit D tyranny
Key: C
conceit (n) = the fact of being too proud of yourself and what you do
15. He'd spent years _____ a rich aunt of his before she passed away, forcing him to
find a job
A figuring on B battening on C feeding on D egging on
Key: B
batten on = to live well by using other people’s money, etc
Word form
1. The image of peace and prosperity appearing on TV is rather _____ and does not
reflect the actual situation of the city. (FACT)
2. When I was a child, I would always play shadow puppetry with my brother in the
_____ house during a blackout. (CANDLE)
3. Becoming a volunteer at a nursing home has offered me great opportunities to strike
up _____ friendships with many old people. (GENERATION)
4. _____ by the haze of alcohol, Mi resisted when A Su prevented her from going
to the Spring festival instead of giving in as usual. (BOLD)
5. Most spiders _____ flies and other insects in their webs while come species like
wolf spider or crab spider catch prey using their legs. (SNARE)
1 FACTITIOUS (adj) = not real but created deliberately and made to appear to be true
2 CANDLELIT (adj) = lit by candles
3 INTERGENERATIONAL (adj) = including or involving people of different
generations or age groups
4 EMBOLDENED
embolden (v) = to make somebody feel braver or more confident
5 ENSNARE (v) = to catch or get control of something or someone
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Test 45
1 I'm a little nervous about starting my graduate degree program, but I'm
determined to _____ and give it a go.
A jump off the deep end C B jump the gun
drop off the radar D drop the ball
Key: A
jump off the deep end = to begin doing something very complex, overwhelming, or
unfamiliar, especially suddenly and without guidance, assistance, or
preparation
2. Negotiations went _____, but we did manage to reach an agreement on the
contract by the deadline.
A down to the short strokes C B down for the count
down to the ground D down to the wire
Key: D
down to the wire = until the last possible second.
3. I have to clean this mess up before 5:00 or I will be pushing up _____ when my
mom gét home.
A roses B lily C daisies D grasses
Key: C
push up daisies = die
4. With your present ability, it will be a cold day in _____ when you can beat your
brother in chess.
A June B Spring C July D Summer
Key: C
a cold day in July = impossible
5. Believe me, in this ever-changing era, that ridiculous pants may be _____ for now
but, before long, probably nobody will be wearing them.
A on the ball B all the rage C piping hot D on point
Key: B
all the rage = very popular
6. While capital punishment has been abolished in many countries, drug
trafficking still _____ the death penalty in Philippines.
A carries B bears C holds D contains
Key: A
carry (v) = if a crime carries a particular punishment, that is the usual
punishment for the crime
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7. Even when in the most severe state of his illness, he still _____ himself with rigid
composure and great dignity of a proud soldier.
A carried B sent C bore D forged
Key: C
bear [+ oneself] (v) = to move, behave or act in a particular way
8. My boss is quite an adamant man, so when he has had a plan, he would _____ no
interference or opposition.
A staunch B brook C consign D contain
Key: B
brook [+no sth] (v) = to not allow something
9. James Conrad was described as a(n) _____ explorer who would always be willing
to venture into the most dangerous corners for new discoveries despite all the risks.
A ardent B staunch C stalwart D audacious
Key: D
audacious (adj) = willing to take risks in order to achieve something.
10. Nothing could _____ the memory of that tragic night from the minds of
Titanic survivors.
A obliterate B deracinate C extinguishe D extort
Key: A
obliterate (v) = to remove all signs of something, either by destroying or covering it
completely
11. I used to be my team’s treasure, but since my injury, I do realize I have become
more of a _____ than an asset to them.
A debit B culpability C liability D baggage
Key: C
liability (n) = a person or thing that causes you a lot of problems
12. The _____ of the Slytherin house in Harry Potter was a snake and the house's
colours were green and silver.
A emblem B stature C calibre D motto
Key: A
emblem (n) = a design or picture that represents a country or an organization 13. The
portrayal of Professor Snape in Harry Potter will forever stand as a(n) _____ to actor
Alan Rickman after he passes away.
A epitaph B epitome C compendium D conceit
Key: A
epitaph (n) = something that is left to remind people of a particular person, a period
of time or an event
14. I know you have matters that trouble you but please _____ for heaven's sake
Anthony, you are ruining the whole party!
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A buck up B sift out C blaze up D air out

Key: A
buck up = to tell sb to cheer up
15. Both his parents used to be out at work all day when he was small, hence his deep
understanding of the lonesome and dangers of being a _____ child. A rag B self-
supporting C boomerang D latchkey
Key: D
latchkey kid/child = a child who is at home alone after school because both parents
are at work
Word form
1. Don’t waste your _____ and fancy-free days because you won’t have as much
freedom after marriage and parenthood. (FOOT)
2. I hope my clumsy wording and expression won’t prevent the teacher from
recognizing my _____ gratitude to her. (HEART)
3. “A child called “it”” is a misery _____ written by Dave Pelzer, chronicling his story
as the victim of one of the most severe child abuse cases in California history.
(MEMORY)
4. You literally _____ your son by treating him as a failure for not attending
university despite his business success. (CHANGE)
5. Parents should pay close attention to their children’s health because many
respiratory symptoms can be the _____of asthma - a medical condition that makes
breathing difficult.
1 FOOTLOOSE (adj) = free to go where you like or do what you want because you
have no responsibilities
footloose and fancy-free
2 HEARTFELT (adj) = sincere
3 MEMOIR (n) = an account written by somebody, especially somebody
famous, about their life and experiences
misery memoir = story of a person’s life, written by that person, in which the author
describes unpleasant personal experiences, usually suffered during childhood, and
how they recovered from them
4 SHORT-CHANGE (v) = to treat sb unfairly by not giving them what they have
earned or deserve
5 FORERUNNER (n) = a sign of what is going to happen
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Test 46
1. I eventually _____ to temptation and had a bar of chocolate at the seventh hour of
my fast.
A gave B yielded C flaunted D retired
Key: B
yield (v) = to stop resisting something/somebody; to agree to do something that you do
not want to do
2. I used to take my health for granted until my body was seriously _____ by
sickness.
A blighted B amputated C battered D raved
Key: A
blight (v) = to have a bad effect on something, especially by causing a lot of
problems
3. That’s weird he didn’t agree to lend you his bike, isn’t he the type of person who
would give you _____ off his back?
A the coat B the shoes C the bag D the shirt
Key: D
the shirt off one’s back = Anything or everything one owns or has to offer.
4. I had no idea they were planning to organize a party for my birthday, they
must have kept it _____. A
in deep water B in a lip lock
C among the flowers D under the rose
Key: D
under the rose = privately
5. I don’t really like Meg but it was a case of _____ when she was the only
person I could ask at that time. A
any Tom, Dick and Harry B any port in a storm D
C any fool could do any shape or form
Key: B
any port in a storm = any solution, however unappealing, is acceptable in times of
trouble
6. Since a large percentage of her students failed the exam, the teacher decided to give
them a second bite at _____ by allowing them to take the test again.
A the apple B the pie C the cherry D the olive
Key: C
a bite at the cherry = a chance or opportunity
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7. The graduates of this medical school are considered to be _____ in

cardiology.
A the icing on the cake C B the big cheese
the cream of the crop Key: D the captain of industry
C
the cream of the crop = the best
8. The men turned to us, both _____ confident smiles on their faces and ready for the
match.
A smearing B wearing C clothing D masking
Key: B
wear (v) = to have a particular expression on your face
9. I decided to watch The hollow crown series of BBC because Tom Hiddleston was in
it but the language of Shakespeare is largely _____ to me.
A insatiable B unearthly C inscrutable D undulating
Key: C
inscrutable (adj) = impossible to understand or interpret
10. You had better prepare a more persuasive speech because you will have to _____
a large majority of your colleagues if you want to get the leadership. A freight B
carry C swathe D impel
Key: B
carry (v) = to win the support or sympathy of somebody; to persuade people to accept
your argument
11. After watching “Capernaum”, a sombre feeling descended on me and got me
_____ on the injustice of the world.
A ruminating B snaring C instigating D sulking
Key: A
ruminate (v) = to think deeply about something
12. Although humanity has long dreamt of exploring the mysterious galaxy, people
believe it was the moon landing that really _____ a whole new era in space
exploration.
A elicited B precipitate C inaugurated D expedited
Key: C
inaugurate (v) = to introduce a new public official or leader at a special
ceremony
13. We can only put a stop to school violence should everyone stop being so
negligent and realize the fact that this phenomenon actually _____ our
ignorance.
A prates on B snaps up C battens on D feeds off
Key: D
feed off = to become stronger because of something else
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14. I wish my girlfriend would just tell me what she wasn’t pleased about, she should
know how much I am _____ by her silence, not knowing what went wrong.
A beguiled B discomfited C fouled D mortified
Key: B
discomfit (v) = to make somebody feel confused or embarrassed
15. Can you guys please stop arguing and work in _____ so that we can
complete this daunting task a little bit faster?
A concomitant B concoction C concert D conciliation
Key: C
in concert (with sb/sth) = (formal) working together with somebody/something
Word form
1. Although Anna appeared positive, I can feel a(n) _____ of desperation in her speech.
(TONE)
2. Chinese mythology contains many tales of animal _____ like huli jing, a fox spirit
which can turn into a beautiful woman. (SHAPE)
3. Political conflict and foreign intervention led to the permanent _____ of the
country. (MEMBER)
4. In Can Tho, there is a park named after Luu Huu Phuoc to _____ the musician whose
birthplace is this city. (MEMORY)
5. Unlike in the North, apricot blossoms are the _____ of Tet in the South of
Vietnam. (HEART)
1 UNDERTONE (n) = a feeling, quality or meaning that is not expressed directly but can
still be understood from what somebody says or does
2 SHAPE-SHIFTER (n) = a person or an animal that is able to change into other people,
animals or things
3 DISMEMBERMENT (n) = the act or process of dividing a country, an
organization, etc. into smaller parts
4 COMMEMORATE (v) = to remind people of an important event or person from the
past with a special action or object
5 HEARTBEAT (n) = an important feature of something, that is responsible for
making it what it is
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Test 47
1. The Forbidden Forest, which borders the edges of the Hogwarts School, is a dark and
_____ forest thick with mysterious creatures and lurking dangers.
A brooding B crooked C dubious D gloomy
Key: A
brooding (adj) = mysterious and threatening
2. Because he started writing his term paper far too late, he is now behind the _____
ball.
A last B ninth C eight D tenth
Key: C
behind the eight ball = in a difficult situation
3. Don’t you think an employee with _____ like Henry will soon be promoted?
A a song in his heart C B a fire in his belly
kindred spirit D a soul of discretion
Key: B
a fire in one’s belly = passion and determination
4. My daughter is a very confident girl and likes to express herself in public,
unlike her brother, who is a _____. A
bowl of cherry B top banana
C ripe plum D shrinking violet
Key: D
shrinking violet = a shy person
5. He is just a little child, please keep your _____ on and be patient with him. A hat B
socks C belt D shirt
Key: D
keep your shirt on = not get angry
6. Next time if you happen to arrive somewhere in my _____ of the woods, do come
round and have a meal with us.
A neck B foot C head D leg
Key: A
neck of the woods = A neighborhood or nearby area; the area around where one
lives.
7. Although the _____ route I showed you is longer, it will actually take you a shorter
time as you can avoid traffic jams during the rush hour.
A exigent B deviant C protracted D devious
Key: D
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devious (adj) = a route or path that is not straight but has many changes in
direction; not direct
8. Although the famous singer dismissed the allegations as _____ and
innuendo, police investigation has shown the opposite.
A smudge B smears C amnesty D bedazzlement
Key: B
smear (n) = a story that is not true about somebody that is intended to damage their
reputation
9. Students, when you arrive at the theatre, remember that you must sit
according to the seating _____ I showed you yesterday and whoever doesn’t follow
will be disciplined!
A plan B scheme C command D structure
Key: A
plan (n) = a detailed map of a building, town, etc.
seating plan = A seating plan is a diagram or a set of written or spoken
instructions that determines where people should take their seats.
10. The search for _____ between the two sides has appeared to be in vain as none of
the two companies was willing to compromise.
A moot point B the third way C middle ground D a safe passage
Key: C
middle ground (n) = a set of opinions, decisions, etc. that two or more groups who
oppose each other can agree on; a position that is not extreme
11. Marriage, though not the social imperative it once was, still stands for a major
rite of _____ into adult life.
A threshold B doorway C pathway D passage
Key: D
rite of passage (n) = a ceremony or an event that marks an important stage in
somebody’s life
12. Though it is still controversial regarding the character of the young actor, most
people can’t deny he is worthy of his _____ success.
A wildfire B phenomenal C aspiring D influential
Key: B
phenomenal success = very great or impressive success
13. The bullet, luckily, just _____ his shoulder, thanks to which his life A
crouched B rasped C browsed D grazed Key:
D
graze (v) = to break the surface of your skin
14. Those openly _____ their wealth show nothing but a shallow mind and a
contemptible dignity of themselves.
A eliciting B flaunting C reviling D exerting
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Key: B
flaunt (v) = to show something you are proud of to other people, in order to
impress them
15. I understand and would totally support you if you want to _____ of this toxic
relationship.
A sift out B bail out C churn out D blow out
Key: B
bail out = to escape from a situation that you no longer want to be involved in
Word form
1 Her toes are severely _____ from years of pursuing a career in professional ballet.
(SHAPE)
2 Teaching in mountainous areas is full of hardship but it is _____ to see the
determination of the students. (HEART)
3 Mulan is a(n) _____ adaptation of the 1998 Walt Disney Animation Studios film of
the same name, starring Liu Yifei in the title role. (LIVE)
4 The haughty employee _____ his hand when asking for a pay rise and was
eventually given the sack. (PLAY)
5 Firefighters are working 12-hour shifts in extreme heat to battle devastating _____
in the northern forests. (FIRE)
1 MISSHAPEN (adj) = with a shape that is not normal or natural 2

HEARTENING (adj) = making you feel hope
3 LIVE-ACTION (adj) = (of a film) using real people or animals, rather than
drawings, models or computers
4 OVERPLAYED
overplay your hand = to behave too confidently because you think you are in a stronger
position than you actually are
5 WILDFIRES = very big fires that spread quickly and burns natural areas like woods,
forests and grassland
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Test 48
1. I goofed off for the first two years of college, but I turned into a real _____ once I
realized the importance of my academic performance.
A sly dog B study animal C eager beaver D war horse
Key: B
study animal = someone who studies very hard or very often
2. I rarely take my kids to the library because he can be a bit of _____, running
around and making a mess. A a
bull in a china shop B a pig in mud
C a bird in the hand D a duck in Arizona
Key: A
a bull in a china shop = a person who is careless, or who moves or acts in a rough
way, in a place or situation where skill and care are needed
3. I know you really want the promotion, but telling the boss about my personal
problems was _____. A
under the hatches C B under thumb
below the belt D below par
Key: C
below the belt = (of a remark) unfair or cruel
4. Don’t worry, I am confident that Annie will manage to solve the quiz soon, she is
as sharp as _____.
A a blaze B a blade C a knife D a tack
Key: D
as sharp as a tack = very witty, mentally acute
5. Kids, please hold your _____, let’s sing the birthday song before we start eating
the cake!
A tatters B horses C brake D tongue
Key: B
hold your horses = be calm and patient
6. If you desire some practical lessons before your start-up, there are clear _____ to
be drawn from the failure of these companies.
A cheeks B chapters C morals D policies
Key: C
moral (n) = a practical lesson that a story, an event or an experience teaches you
7. His reasoning is based on the _____ that humans are innately good, which
reflects his belief in Mencius.
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A premise B inception C surmise D conjecture

Key: A
premise (n) = a statement or an idea that forms the basis for a reasonable line of
argument
8. Although the matter was outside my _____ of responsibility, I still lent her a
helping hand.
A bound B orbit C sphere D hall
Key: C
sphere (n) = an area of activity, influence or interest; a particular section of society
9. I don’t think the two directors would cooperate again in the second part, there was a
real personality _____ between them.
A disagreement B brawl C clash D discord
Key: C
personality clash [collocation] = a situation in which two or more people have very
different characters and are unable to have a good relationship with each other
10. Although he was a talented artist, he lived a life _____ with financial worries. A
pestered B beseeched C clasped D beset
Key: D
beset (v) = to affect somebody/something in an unpleasant or harmful way
11. When Tony came in class with his ridiculous costume, he was greeted with _____
of laughter.
A clap B blasts C gales D rounds
Key: C
gale(s) of laughter = the sound of people laughing very loudly
12. I intended to petrify him by telling him there was a snake in his room but he didn't
seem _____ concerned.
A in least B at least C the least bit D leastways
Key: C
13. The architecture chose a gentle colour scheme to create a relaxing _____ for the
owner’s bedroom.
A ambience B complex C palette D sentiment
Key: A
ambience (n) = the character and atmosphere of a place
14. Unlike in the North, apricot blossoms are the _____ of Tet in the South of
Vietnam.
A pulse B heartbeat C compass D avatar
Key: B
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heartbeat (n) = an important feature of something, that is responsible for making it what
it is
15. While everybody else all _____ or the Shang-Shi premiere, director Chloe Zhao
dressed casually in jeans and a loose-fitting top as if she was just dropping by.
A gussied up B bobbed up C blazed up D bucked up
Key: A
gussy up = to dress yourself in an attractive way; to make somebody/something more
attractive, especially in a showy way
Word form
1 If there is still time remaining after you have finished the test and gone over it, try
to _____ your answers to avoid mistakes. (CHECK)
2 After graduating, I kept some books that are necessary for college and gave away the
_____ (REMAIN)
3 My parents always deem my playful personality _____ of a high school
teacher, who should be decent and serious. (FIT)
4 The journalists are regarded the _____ to the dictatorial government by publicly
denouncing their selfish and cruel policies. (WEIGHT)
5 Although political changes affected the social position of a samurai, he still shows
great _____ and decency of a noble family. (FINE)
1 DOUBLE-CHECK (v) = to check sth again/twice

(There is no “recheck” in Oxford, Cambridge or Longman dictionary) 2
REMAINDER (n) = the people, things or time that remain
3 UNBEFITTING (adj) = not suitable or good enough for somebody/something 4
COUNTERWEIGHT (n) = a thing that has an equal but opposite effect to
something else and can be used to limit the bad effects of something
5 REFINEMENT (n) = the state of having the sort of manners that are
considered typical of a high social class
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Test 49
1. Our teacher said _____ after lunch was a good way to refresh ourselves and
be more productive in the afternoon. A
taking a dive B catching forty winks
C hitting the deck D striking a chord
Key: B
catch forty winks = have a short sleep during the day
2. You must have been crazy to challenge John in chess, he is the state
champion and he will _____ with you.
A wipe the floor B carry the day
C buy the farm D dress to the nines
Key: A
wipe the floor with sb = to beat sb easily
3. There are 40 people coming to the party tonight, I need _____ to help me
with the decoration and cooking. A
all beer and skittles B all hands on deck
C all ducks in a row D all mops and brooms
Key: B
all hands on deck = everyone helps or must help, especially in a difficult
situation
4. I will let the kids play in the living room so please make sure the floor will be as dry
as _____ when you finish.
A a bone B the air C sand D Africa
Key: A
dry as a bone = very dry
5. You should hire an engineer to check that used car before making the final decision
or you may end up buying a _____ in a poke.
A parrot B house C horse D pig
Key: D
buy a pig in a poke = to buy something without inspecting it thoroughly, often with
negative consequences.
6. Harry and his friends spent hours in the library _____ through hundreds of heavy
old books to find information about the Philosopher’s stone.
A sifting B poring C sieving D meshing
Key: A
sift (v) = to examine something very carefully in order to decide what is important or
useful or to find something important
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7. After volunteering in the SOS village for the orphans in Ben Tre, I now
understand how lucky it is to be able to live in the _____ of your family.
A center B bliss C oasis D bosom
Key: D
bosom (n) = a situation in which you are with people who love and protect you 8.
Marriage is a big and long-term gamble in which _____ is dubious in defiance of all
oaths and promises.
A jubilation B winnings C felicity D swoon
Key: C
felicity (n) = happiness
jubilation (n) = a feeling of great happiness because of a success
9. Returning home after a bad exam, I just wanted to sleep and _____ all the
disappointment and worries.
A bliss out B winnow out C blot out D clock out
Key: C
blot out = to deliberately try to forget an unpleasant memory or thought
10. The National Contest for the Gifted is an annual event in which students from all
over Vietnam _____ their wits against each other.
A hedge B pit C have D set
Key: B
pit somebody/something against something = to test somebody or their
strength, intelligence, etc. in a struggle or contest against somebody/something else
pit your wits against somebody (=compete against someone using your
intelligence or knowledge)
11. Despite his fame and talent, the well-known rock star’s reputation was
seriously damaged by the _____ factor.
A plague B smugness C haul D sleaze
Key: D
sleaze (n) = dishonest or immoral behaviour
12. Please tell Severus to come to my office should you see him, I need him to help me
_____ the applications that have no chance of succeeding.
A make out B sift out C leaf through D muddle through
Key: B
sift out = to separate something, usually something you do not want, from a group
of things
13. As an inexperienced first-time traveller, I was _____ by a local vendor, who charged
me $40 for a little souvenir fridge magnet.
A ragged on B eaten away C ripped off D torn up
Key: C
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rip off = to cheat somebody, by making them pay too much, by selling them
something of poor quality, etc
14. I don’t think congratulating someone on acing a test and adding that you have
never expected that is a real praise but more like a _____!
A faint praise B false note
C two-handed comment D backhanded compliment
Key: D
a backhanded compliment = a comment that seems to express approval but could
also be understood as expressing a poor opinion of somebody/something 15. Some
people believe that the increase in crime shows that society is losing its moral _____.
A magnet B anchor C compass D arrow
Key: C
moral compass = a natural feeling that makes people know what is right and wrong
and how they should behave
Word form
1 Thanks to months of _____. research by the film producers, the enthronement
ceremony of Qianlong in “The story of Ruyi” was highly commended for being
historically accurate. (PAIN)
2 “Under the hawthorn tree” is a romantic movie with a lovely but tragic _____
(STORY)
3 The death of Bruno and Shmuel in “The boy in the striped pajamas” really tugs at
your _____ (HEART)
4 Border _____ between the two countries is one of the issues that receive the most
public attention. (LIMIT)
5 Following the release of Den Vau’s MV “Hide and Seek”, VTV24 made a
_____ joke to advise against running away from COVID-19 isolation centres.
(TOPIC)
1 PAINSTAKING (adj) = done with a lot of care, effort and attention to detail 2
STORYLINE (n) = the basic story in a novel, play, film, etc
3 to tug at sb’s HEARTSTRINGS = to cause strong feelings of love or sympathy in
somebody
4 DELIMITATION (n) = the process of deciding what the limits of something are 5
TOPICAL (adj) = connected with something that is happening or of interest at the
present time
88
Test 50
1. Not until the doctor confirms that my sister is _____ can the whole family stop
worrying.
A beyond the pale C B out of the woods D
on the round in the zone
Key: B
out of the woods = no longer in danger or dealing with a particular difficulty,
though not entirely resolved.
2. After the competition, my friends tried to _____ by teasing me about my
failure.
A bell my cat C B go to the dogs
get my goats D shoot my bull
Key: C
get sb’s goat = to make sb annoyed or angry
3. Only kids _____ when Tet comes because they don’t have so many things
to do like adults.
A keep their chins up C B hit the hay
carry the day D have a ball
Key: D
have a ball = have an enjoyable time
4. My younger brother keeps begging me to let him join our club’s party, but it
is likely that he will feel like _____. A
a fifth wheel B the fourth wall
C an extra pair of hands D a gift horse
Key: A
a fifth wheel = an unwelcome or extra person
5. Work-life balance is the most important thing to me so I would never take that job for
all the tea in _____.
A Britain B England C Turkey D China
Key: D
would not do sth for all the tea in China = used to say that nothing could
persuade you to do something
6. Large, black rain clouds _____ in the sky this morning, signalling an
approaching storm.
A glowered B scowled C ruptured D crouched
Key: A
glower = looked likely to produce rain
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7. I don’t know what’s so interesting that my daughter always listens to this

speaker with _____ attention whenever there is his show on TV.
A blissful B rapt C spellbinding D griping
Key: B
rapt (adj) = so interested in one particular thing that you are not aware of
anything else
8. Despite his competency, the director was _____ after a conflict with his boss and was
demoted to a low-level employee.
A struck off B ratted out C toned down D crossed out
Key: A
strike off = to remove a doctor, lawyer, etc. from an official list so that they are no
longer allowed to work in that job
9. Eight months of lockdown were eight months I was _____ in the stifling tiny flat of
mine in the city, unemployed and unable to go anywhere.
A bricked up B clocked up C bottled up D cooped up
Key: D
coop up = to keep a person or an animal inside a building or in a small space 10. The
well-reputed CEO _____ with £10,000 of the company's money last night and has
come England’s most wanted man at the moment.
A assailed B absconded C debunked D deflated
Key: B
abscond (v) = to leave secretly and take with you something, especially money, that
does not belong to you
11. I thought I only liked the character Loki, but it turns out after that I like the actor
himself as I can’t help _____ over photos of Tom Hiddleston.
A drooling B slobbing C dredging D drizzling
Key: A
drool (v) = to show in a silly or exaggerated way that you want or admire
somebody/something very much
12. The monument is a(n) _____ reminder of those who died in the catastrophic Sichuan
earthquake 14 years ago.
A poignant B affective C sardonic D pungent
Key: A
poignant (adj) = having a strong effect on your feelings, especially in a way that made
you feel sad
13. The gentle colour _____ creates a relaxing ambience for the bedroom of my little
daughter.
A complexion B palette C structure D scheme
Key: D
scheme (n) = an ordered system or arrangement
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colour scheme = the way in which colors are arranged, especially in the furniture and
decoration of a room
14. One special thing about Ron is that he never has a _____ plan - he just makes
decisions as the need arises but still manages to ace any task given.
A ground B base C foundation D post
Key: A
ground plan (n) = a plan for future action
15. He _____ with only 152 votes out of 300, which is not at all something to brag
about compared with that of his predecessor.
A tucked in B dragged by C scraped in D passed through
Key: C
scrape in = to manage to get a job, a position, a place at college, etc., but with
difficulty
Word form
1 When I first met your mother, I just thought she might be 40 or _____ because she
looked so young. (THERE)
2 When demand for a product _____ its supply, the price of that product will
increase. (STRIP)
3 His love for life and optimism gave him a _____ power to overcome what the doctors
refer to as “an incurable disease. (NATURAL)
4 Fans do not know where the event was held because its location was _____ (CLOSE)
5 You may earn a six-figure salary from that job but your health will be the cost, it’s all
swings and _____ (ROUND)
1 THEREABOUTS (adv) = used to say that a particular number, quantity, time, etc. is
not exact
2 OUTSTRIPS (v) = to become larger, more important, etc. than sb/sth
3 PRETERNATURAL (adj) = that does not seem natural; that cannot be
explained by natural laws
4 UNDISCLOSED (adj) = not made known or told to anyone
5 ROUNDABOUT (adj) = not done or said using the shortest, simplest or most direct
way possible
91
Test 51
1. I'm delighted that my children have such wonderful opportunities abroad, but I must
say I feel sick as _____ at the thought of being separated from them for so long.
A a duck B a lizard C a parrot D a turkey
Key: C
as sick as a parrot = thoroughly displeased, disappointed, or dejected (about
something)
2. Garry used to be the best player in our team, but he seems to have _____ after
years dedicated to his business career.
A gone cold turkey C B lost his touch
blown off steam D had sticky fingers
Key: B
lose your touch = to no longer be skilled in doing something
3. What with the COVID-19 pandemic, my restaurant has been operating in the _____
for five consecutive months and is about to be shut down.
A red B black C yellow D blue
Key: A
in the red = to lose more money than you make.
4. Ever since I was diagnosed with cancer, my family has been _____ since all our
money is poured into chemotherapy and medicines.
A under the weather C B living hand to mouth
sitting tight D down to Earth
Key: B
live hand to mouth = be extremely poor
5. We only have 15 minutes to finish sketching the general plan, please _____
and skip the chatter.
A sail close to the wind C B beat around the bush D
hit the books cut to the chase
Key: D
cut to the chase = to talk about or deal with the important parts of a subject and not
waste time with things that are not important
6. With a _____ of insight, the detective realised exactly who committed this
horrendous crime.
A glare B spark C flash D blaze
Key: C
7. The bull _____ its nostrils in anger when the torero provokes it with a big bright
red flag.
92
A flares B splays C rants D raves

Key: A
flare (v) = if a person or animal flares their nostrils (=the openings at the end of the
nose), or if their nostrils flare, their nostrils become wider because they are angry
8. The child _____ with delight at his teacher as he received the award. A
gleamed B beamed C leered D primped Key:
B
beam (v) = to have a big happy smile on your face
9. Don’t start writing until the idea has _____ in your mind to avoid making a mess
of your essay, pay attention to the time though!
A glowered B gelled C vacuumed D braced
Key: B
gel (v) = (of an idea, a thought, a plan, etc.) to become clearer and more definite 10. Play
areas for children are _____ all over the place
A springing up B growing up C whipping up D bouncing out
Key: A
spring up = to appear or develop quickly and/or suddenly
11. The candidate was criticised for _____ a group of people with racial
prejudice in order to get more votes.
A jostling for B clearing off C pandering to D horsing around
Key: C
pander to = to do what somebody wants, or try to please them, especially when this is
not acceptable or reasonable
12. Watching “Twelve years a slave”, I was appalled by the fact that slaves could
be whipped and hanged at the _____ of their masters.
A whim B quake C whir D wince
Key: A
whim (n) = a sudden wish to do or have something, especially when it is
something unusual or unnecessary
13. My brother’s athletic career has been _____ by a serious ankle injury during training.
A coiled B blenched C quailed D blighted
Key: D
blight (v) = to have a bad effect on something, especially by causing a lot of
problems
14. The defendant, who was convicted of rape, _____ his head in shame when facing
his victim.
A bent B hung C crouched D stooped
Key: B
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hang (v) = to bend or let something bend downwards hang

your head in shame = to feel ashamed
15. Your idol’s reputation is not something without _____, don’t forget about his drug
abuse scandal!
A blotch B blur C blemish D blister
Key: C
blemish (n) = a fault in a person’s character
Word form
1 Some rituals that were important in the agrarian society of the past are now deemed
_____ and discarded. (WORN)
2 _____ surgery, developed by Joseph Lister, is employed by many hospitals in
modern days to prevent infection during and after surgery. (SEPTIC)
3 For anyone who is interested in Chinese history, this book is _____ for its detail
and reliability. (RIVAL)
4 It was very disrespectful of you to speak _____ to your grandfather, even when
he does know little about your problem. (HAND)
5 I have _____ five applicants for the second round, please contact and inform them of
the interview schedule. (LIST)
1 OUTWORN (adj) = old-fashioned and no longer useful 2

ANTISEPTIC (adj) = very clean and free from bacteria 3
UNRIVALLED (adj) = better or greater than any other
4 OFFHANDEDLY (adv) = in a way that does not show much interest in sb/sth and is
rude
5 SHORTLISTED (v) = to put sb on a short list
94
Test 52
1. Nobody in this village doesn’t know that little boy has _____ but never has
he been given a lesson. A
sticky fingers B sore thumbs D
C a heavy hand hidden fingers
Key: A
sticky fingers = a tendency to steal
2. Never underestimate your opponents no matter how good you are, they may always
be able to give you a run for your _____.
A medal B money C prize D race
Key: B
give sb a run for their money = to be as good at something as someone is and therefore
make them really work for their win
3. Considering how often that car breaks down, I think I really bought _____ from
the dealership.
A a pig B a fish C a lemon D a mandarin
Key: C
buy a lemon = to buy something (usually a motor vehicle) that doesn’t work well and is
therefore worthless.
4. If you are so determined, then I can only wish you luck raising enough funds
for the project—it's like _____. A
selling ice to Eskimos B getting blood from a stone
C pounding the pavement D moving heaven and earth
Key: B
get blood from a stone = to do something that is very hard to accomplish
5. Mr. Chow is one of the principle _____ in this firm so you had better make a good
impression on him if you want to be employed after the internship.
A cash cows B church mouses
C Jekylls and Hydes D movers and shakers
Key: D
movers and shakers = the people with power and influence in a particular area 6. After
a 5-hour long discussion, we finally managed to _____ a deal even though the
profit division was not really ideal for us.
A latch on B pluck at C patch up D fasten onto
Key: C
patch up = to agree on something, especially after long discussions and even though
the agreement is not exactly what everyone wants
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7. I was to get off the bus at Ikea Brent Park but I fell asleep and _____ in Stop WH,
which was 4.8 miles away!
A fetched up B jollied up C banged about D mowed down
Key: A
fetch up = to arrive somewhere without planning to
8. You won’t understand me until you grow up and have a family with children, dozens
of concerns will _____ your attention.
A jostle for B root for C muck up D pony up
Key: A
jostle for = to compete strongly and with force for something
9. The Fellowship of the Ring, a 2001 epic fantasy adventure film, is the first _____
in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
A parcel B installment C chapter D token
Key: B
installment (n) = one of the parts of something, such as a show, that is
experienced as part of a series over a period of time
10. This movie _____ poorly at the Chinese box office, mainly due to many
historical inaccuracies and seemingly slapdash references to Chinese culture. A reeled
B staggered C fared D mowed
Key: C
fare (v) = to be successful/unsuccessful in a particular situation
11. Because of the fierce storm, the rescue mission had to be _____ to avoid
unnecessary loss of life.
A aborted B absconded C banished D ruptured
Key: A
abort (v) = to end or cause something to end before it has been completed,
especially because it is likely to fail
12. As a person who believes in hard work, my father can’t _____ lazy and
undisciplined people, including me.
A console B concede C ramble D abide
Key: D
cannot/could not abide somebody/something to dislike somebody/something so much
that you hate having to be with or deal with them
13. By _____ consent, everyone in the club avoids mentioning the death of the seventh
member.
A joint B general C mutual D shared
Key: C
to happen by mutual consent = to happen as the result of an agreement between
the people or groups involved.
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14. Firemen secured the bus with ropes to stop it tumbling over the edge before
escorting the _____ passengers to safety.
A petrified B dreadful C curdled D stagey
Key: A
petrify (v) = to make somebody feel extremely frightened
15. Volunteers are being _____ to support the UN system's response during the peak
of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A headhunted B solicited C accosted D seduced
Key: B
solicit (v) = to ask somebody for something, such as support, money or
information; to try to get something or persuade somebody to do something
Word form
1 Amongst the many factors that _____ consumer choices, price and design have the
most decisive role. (FORM)
2 Until now, still there are people who don’t believe in the _____ relationship
between smoking and lung cancer. (CAUSE)
3 The flap of the envelope came _____ so the letter inside fell out somewhere along
the way. (STUCK)
4 That the star had already been married is just a(n) _____ rumour of bloggers and
shouldn’t be trusted. (SUBSTANCE)
5 Much of the financial support for people living in the flooded regions came from
_____ of citizens from all over Vietnam. (BENEFIT)
1 INFORM (v) = to have an influence on sth

2 CAUSAL (adj) = connected with the relationship between two things, where one
causes the other to happen
3 UNSTUCK (adj) = to become separated from something it was stuck or
fastened to
4 UNSUBSTANTIATED (adj) = not proved to be true by evidence
5 BENEFACTIONS (n) = a gift, usually of money, that is given to a person or an
organization in order to do good
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Test 53
1. Factories are _____ to produce enough masks and protective clothing for health
workers during the pandemic.
A raising red flags B firing on all cylinders
C raking over the ashes D packing heat
Key: B
firing on all cylinders = to be functioning or operating at the most desirable or
greatest possible level of efficiency, speed, or productivity.
2. This scheme does have some problems but I think we can fix them instead
of throwing the baby out with _____. A
the bath water B the diaper
C the old toys D the rubber duck
Key: A
throw the baby out with the bath water = to discard something valuable or
important while disposing of something considered worthless
3. The epidemic has ruined my plan to _____ with my friends after the National
High school Exam finishes. A
put out feelers B queer the pitch
C push the boat out D pull the plug
Key: C
push the boat out = spend a lot of money in order to celebrate something or have a
very enjoyable time
4. Now that I have to work closely with the infamously strict chief of the Finance
department, I feel like I've caught a _____ by the tail.
A tiger B lion C snake D crocodile
Key: A
catch a tiger by the tail = to be involved with someone or something that is
powerful and could become troublesome or threatening
5. It is like _____ trying to wake our young son up every morning to go to school
on time.
A pulling your punches C B pricking up ears D
drawing your horns in pulling teeth
Key: D
like pulling teeth = used to say that it is very difficult to make somebody do
something
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6. You may find some drinks here that you’v never seen in Trung Nguyen
because this store is just a Trung Nguyen _____, not the original.
A bureau B ballot C franchise D brand
Key: C
franchise (n) = a business that has bought the right to sell the products and services
of another company
7. With his fame on the rise, Zhang was _____ to stand amongst the top idols of China
when the scandal broke.
A poised B nigh C adjacent D near
Key: A
poised (adj) = completely ready for something or to do something
8. The star wanted to keep his _____ low-key, hence people knew nothing about
donation until it was publicised.
A munificence B chivalry C narcissism D impiousness
Key: A
munificence (n) = the quality of being extremely generous
9. The athlete was _____ in defeat and praised his opponent's skill, for which he
received a lot of praise.
A abrasive B valiant C chivalrous D magnanimous
Key: D
magnanimous (adj) = kind, generous and forgiving, especially towards an enemy
or competitor
10. During this time of the year, streets in my city are usually _____ with
Vietnam national flags to celebrate our Independence day.
A bedecked B primped C garnished D prattled
Key: A
bedeck (v) = to decorate something/somebody with flowers, flags, precious stones,
etc.
11. Despite his repeated _____, nobody is convinced that the singer is totally innocent
in this scandal.
A disavowals B abnegation C ablutions D declamation
Key: A
disavowal (n) = the act of stating publicly that you have no knowledge of
something or that you are not responsible for something/somebody
12. It’s important to obtain the best possible specimens, and COVID-19 nasal _____
testing that includes nucleic acid testing is the best option.
A traces B jot C swab D remnant
Key: C
swab (n) = a small amount of substance from a body that can be tested
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13. By the late 70s the band's popularity was beginning to _____, hence the
disbandment after their last concert.
A wane B swaddle C lug D ramble
Key: A
wane (v) = to become gradually weaker or less important
14. Thinking back, I'd better _____ some sunscreen, I really don’t dare to risk this
sensitive skin of mine.
A pore over B tint on C slap on D splash out
Key: C
slap on = to spread something on a surface in a quick, careless way
15. He had occasionally _____ the idea of starting his own business, but he had never
actually done anything about it.
A slept on B timed out C dallied with D lavished on
Key: C
dally with = to consider or imagine an idea, subject, or plan, but not in a serious way
Word form
1 Without that _____ dress, I would have never noticed you in the middle of
hundreds of people going to the festival. (EYE)
2 Meeting her criminal father after ten years, the girl shows overtly _____
disregard for him. (CONTEMPT)
3 Clicking a link sent by a(n) _____ email may seriously threaten your data
security. (SOLICIT)
4 _____ - the unfair treatment of people because they have a disability - is
untenable in a progressive society today. (ABLE)
5 Cutlery is a(n) _____ term for knives, forks and spoons used for eating.
(CATCH)
1 EYE-CATCHING (adj) = (of a thing) immediately likely to attract attention

because it is particularly interesting, bright or attractive
2 CONTEMPTUOUS (adj) = feeling or showing that you have no respect for
somebody/something
contemptible (adj) = not deserving any respect at all
3 UNSOLICITED (adj) = not asked for and sometimes not wanted
4 ABLEISM (n) = the unfair treatment of people because they have a disability 5
CATCH-ALL (adj) = including several different things without stating clearly what is
included or not
100
Test 54
1. If the pandemic does not ameliorate, our company will surely _____.
A fall afoul B hit out of the park
C go down the tubes D go under the knife
Key: C
go down the tubes = to fail completely
2. The business model you propose sounds amazing, but whether it might
succeed in reality is where _____. A
rubber meets the road B the shoe pinches D
C the puck is heading hell freezes over
Key: A
where rubber meets the road = The point at which someone's or something's efforts,
resolve, or viability are put to the test
3. Jack, your passion won't help you afford a living in this big city, wake up and smell
_____.
A the tea B the coffee C the soda D the roses
Key: B
wake up and smell the coffee = to tell sb to start to be more realistic and aware of what
is happening around them
4. John keeps himself so closed off that I've never understood the _____ of his
thoughts.
A rock bottom B bare bones C think tank D uncharted waters
Key: D
uncharted waters = sth that has not been visited or investigated before
5. There are a lot of opportunities out there, but I've got to put my foot on the _____.
A pedal B gas C brake D field
Key: B
put one’s foot on the gas = to do something more quickly or with more effort and
determination
6. The _____ language in your essay does nothing to address the problem but only
unnecessarily lengthens the piece of writing and causes confusion for
readers.
A convoluted B elasticated C sentimental D dowdy
Key: A
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convoluted (adj) = convoluted sentences, explanations, arguments, etc. are

unreasonably long and difficult to understand
7. The company's first _____ into the US market is considered somewhat
venturesome for a firm of that scale.
A outing B foray C incursion D pilgrimage
Key: B
foray (n) = a short involvement in an activity, an area, or a market that is different from a
person or company's usual one
8. Despite not being Buddhists ourselves, it is hard to deny that this religion still _____
every aspect of our life either consciously or subconsciously.
A ravels B assails C informs D apprises
Key: C
inform (v) = to have an influence on something
9. The team played badly in the first half of the game but _____ in the second thanks
to several changes in their tactics .
A rebounded B rallied C revived D reignited
Key: B
rally (v) = to return to a better condition
10. She was fired after having many decisions that are in _____ of the company
regulations.
A abdication B infraction C negligence D contravention
Key: D
contravention (n) = the fact of doing something that is not allowed by a law or rule
11. Loki’s _____ character reminds me of Captain Jack Sparrow, a pirate who is also a
mixture of amusement and mischief.
A roguish B narcissistic C reticent D ravenous
Key: A
roguish (adj) = behaving in a way that is slightly bad or wrong, but that is not too
serious
12. Would it be too much of a(n) _____to ask you to pick my children up after school
today?
A tariff B onus C imposition D angst
Key: C
imposition (n) = a situation in which someone expects another person to do
something that they do not want to do or that is not convenient
13. Superficially, the mechanism of a camera is _____ to that of our eyes, yet there are
still certain major differences in the way they record images.
A homogeneous B kindred C correlative D analogous
Key: D
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analogous (adj) = similar in some way to another thing or situation and therefore able to
be compared with it
14. His wife _____ a fortune over the years in a secret bank account and ran away
with her young lover.
A salted away B plugged away C mucked up D heaped up
Key: A
salt away = to save something for the future, secretly and usually dishonestly 15. If you
keep _____ training like this, stop dreaming of cutting any weight and getting the job.
A poring over B turning out C sacking off D ravelling out
Key: C
sack off = to avoid or stop doing something
Word form
1 After being dismissed from school, Thomas Edison was _____ by his mother
(SCHOOL)
2 The casino has long been suspected as a _____ channel for laundering money.
(DOOR)
3 Annie looks so much like an Indian that it’s hard to believe this little girl is of
Vietnamese _____.
4 _____ is a form of sustainable energy production, achieved by converting the kinetic
energy of water into electrical or mechanical energy. (POWER)
5 Although same-sex love is gaining more social recognition, _____ relationship in our
society remains heterosexual. (NORM)
1 HOMESCHOOLED (v) = to teach a child at home rather than sending him or her to
school
2 BACKDOOR (adj) = using indirect or secret means in order to achieve
something
3 EXTRACTION (n) = having a particular family origin
4 HYDROPOWER (n) = the production of electricity by the force of fast moving water
5 NORMATIVE (adj) = of, relating to, or based on norms
(“Normal” is not an acceptable answer for this question because using the word
“normal” for heterosexual relationship also implies that same-sex relationship is not
normal, which is synonymous with a disrespect for the LGBT community)
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Test 55
1. My uncle is a typical _____, he has never taken any medical courses but keeps
doubting how doctors are treating COVID patients.
A smart cookie B armchair critic
C class act D pen pusher
Key: B
armchair critic = One who speaks critically on topics one actually knows little to
nothing about.
2. My grandmother is tough as _____— she lived through the Vietnam War and raised
four kids all on her own after my grandfather’s sacrifice.
A stone B leather C taws D scale
Key: B
as tough as leather = having great strength of body, mind, or will; not susceptible to
sickness or injury.
3. What’s the point in paying attention to a teacher who _____, you will never
be able to keep up with his lecture. A
talks the hind leg off a donkey B takes the rap
C talks nineteen to the dozen D thinks on his feet
Key: C
talk nineteen to the dozen = speak very quickly
4. As my brother discovered the fact that I am in a relationship, I have to _____
to stop him from telling mom. A
keep my distance B give the shirt off my back D
C collect his thoughts grease his palm
Key: D
grease sb’s palm = to secretly give someone money in order to persuade them to do
something for you
5. We've been led up the _____ path about the position of our hotel - it's much farther
from the beach than what the advertisement said!
A rocky B mountain C garden D muddy
Key: C
lead sb up the garden path = to deceive sb
6. I wonder why he, instead of always trying to _____ himself with the boss, won’t
try to improve himself and rely on his own capabilities to be promoted? A curry B
ingratiate C flatter D charm
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Key: B
ingratiate yourself with sb = to make sb like you by flattering them
7. Racism, despite being rarely overt, is deeply _____ in professional and
institutional practices.
A engraved B inscribed C ingrained D incised
Key: C
ingrain (v) = to establish something such as a belief so firmly that it is not likely to
change
8. When I was a kid, I would usually _____ Oreo cookies in milk until they were a bit
soft before I ate.
A dunk B plunge C drench D douse
Key: A
dunk (v) = to put food quickly into liquid before eating it
9. If you have an apple-shaped body, A-line coats or straight, knee-length trench styles
will really _____ your figure.
A commend B praise C flatter D compliment
Key: C
flatter (v) = to make somebody look attractive; to make somebody seem more
attractive or better than they really are
10. She was determined not to be _____ into marriage before she became
financially independent.
A compelled B bludgeoned C urged D impelled
Key: B
bludgeon (v) = to force somebody to do something, especially by arguing with them
11. There’s a nasty flu _____ going round the school at the moment so parents please
tell your kids to wear masks and pay attention to their health. A gale B scourge C
plague D bug
Key: D
bug (n) = an illness that is usually fairly mild but spreads easily from person to person
12. Although it takes quite a bit of time at the beginning, once you have acquired the
basic knowledge, a quick learner like you will surely _____.
A forge ahead B plunge ahead C plough ahead D press ahead
Key: A
forge ahead = to move forward quickly; to make a lot of progress quickly
13. Although Loki is usually thought to be the son of Odin, he in fact originally _____
the cold and dark realm of the Frost Giants.
A bleeds from B hails from C veers from D springs from
Key: B
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hail from = to come from or have been born in a particular place

14. I thought that my dog would be _____ intelligent, but it seems like a breed name
doesn’t mean everything.
A keenly B avidly C shrewdly D piercingly
Key: A
keenly (adv) = in a way that involves quick understanding
15. People are watching _____ TV much less these days, preferring on-demand platforms
like Netflix and Youtube.
A striated B non-stop C beeline D linear
Key: D
linear TV = broadcast and watched at regular times according to a schedule
Word form
1 The building of the castle for the Queen has placed tremendous pressure on the
nation’s _____ (TAX)
2 His profound knowledge and significant contribution to the agriculture of
Vietnam has made him a _____ scientist in this country. (WEIGHT)
3 Many hospitals are beginning to limit _____ stays during the pandemic to
minimize risk of spreading COVID-19. (PATIENT)
4 Normally, Anna has already been pretty enough, but her appearance after putting
on make-up last night really _____ me. (WITCH)
5 The Chernobyl disaster has turned a vast area of the city of Chernobyl into a lifeless
nuclear _____ (LAND)
1 TAXPAYERS (n) = people who pay tax to the government, especially on the money
that they earn
2 HEAVYWEIGHT (n) = a very important person, organization or thing that
influences others
3 INPATIENT (n) = a person who stays in a hospital while receiving treatment 4
BEWITCHED (v) = to attract or impress somebody so much that they cannot think in a
sensible way
5 WASTELAND (n) = an area of land that cannot be used or that is no longer used
for building or growing things on
106
Test 56
1. If you don’t change this lifestyle of yours, you will get married _____.
A when the sun is over the yardarm C B when the dust settles
when push comes to shove D when hell freezes over
Key: D
when hell freezes over = never
2. You must live happily and get richer so that your ex-husband will _____ the day he
divorced you.
A seize B ruin C rue D name
Key: C
rue the day = to bitterly regret a point in time
3. He is regarded a gentleman by many people but I would not trust his as far as I can
_____ him.
A throw B jump C think D fly
Key: A
I wouldn't trust sb as far as I could throw them = something you say that means you do
not trust someone at all
4. His embarrassing secret is my _____ and I will reveal it to everybody if he dares
to mock me in public.
A ace in the hole B amber nectar C 110 proof D chin music
Key: A
ace in the hole = a major advantage that one keeps hidden until an ideal time 5. At the
age 34, isn’t Yang Mi a bit _____ to play the role of a high school
student in this movie? A
down at heel B thin on the top
C behind the times D long in the tooth
Key: D
long in the tooth = a bit too old to do something
6. I have tried to persuade my father of the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against
infection but he remained _____ that he wouldn’t take it.
A adamant B sordid C haggard D persevere
Key: A
adamant (adj) = determined not to change your mind or to be persuaded about
something
107
7. What’s so much to be surprised about, it’s still the usual _____ rock star tale of drugs
and overdoses.
A giddy B frivolous C squalid D sturdy
Key: C
squalid (adj) = (of situations or activities) involving low moral standards or
dishonest behaviour
8. Born a Christian, he _____ elements of oriental mysticism from the years he spent in
India.
A engrossed B inherited C imbibed D solicited
Key: C
imbibe (v) = to receive and understand ideas or information
9. The professor _____ the books looking for the information he needed in order to
answer his students’ thorny questions.
A seized B groped C gawked D perused
Key: D
peruse (v) = to read something, especially in a careful way
10. My daughter is a real animal lover, she _____ any form of cruelty towards animals
and follows a vegetarian diet.
A abstains B abhors C debars D desecrates
Key: B
abhor (v) = to hate something, for example a way of behaving or thinking,
especially for moral reasons
11. Certain passages were _____from the book after censorship due to
inappropriate content.
A decimated B excised C censured D coveted
Key: B
excise (v) = to remove sth
12. This accident has _____ the traffic all day, I wish the forces could react
quicklier.
A stowed away B cordoned off C snarled up D towed away
Key: C
snarl up = to involve somebody/something in a situation that stops their
movement or progress
13. I got emotional and couldn’t help _____ at the end of “Me before you”, a flight
attendant even asked me if I was having some problems.
A whining B snarling C bellowing D bawling
Key: D
bawl (v) = to cry loudly
14. With an unsatisfactory year-end profit, it is likely that the rewards budget for our
department will be _____ to minimum.
108
A nipped off B pared down C branched off D wrapped up

Key: B
pare down = to reduce the amount, number, or size of something as much as you can
15.The meeting began to get a bit out of control by the time the protesters reached
the city centre so they were _____ by the police force before violence might happen.
A hemmed in B sniped at C racked up D dusted down
Key: A
hem in = to surround someone and prevent them from moving or doing what they
want to do
Word form
1 At the height of the pandemic all _____ classes were suspended. (PERSON) 2 My
comrade, a young soldier, stood _____ and unafraid against the enemy -that image is
something that I will never forget.
_____ machine. (YIELD)
3 Due to staff shortage, our plan is still in the _____ stage, a week later than the
schedule. (PRINT)
4 After getting out of prison, he turned over a new leaf and became a(n) _____ citizen
in the community. (STAND)
5 _____ to his mother, he joined the secret intelligence agency of the Soviet Union.
(KNOW)
1 IN-PERSON (adj) = (of an activity or event) taking place with people physically
present together in the same place, not on the internet or by phone or video link 2
UNYIELDING (adj) = not easily influenced and they are unlikely to change their
mind
3 BLUEPRINT (n) = a plan which shows what can be achieved and how it can be
achieved
4 UPSTANDING (adj) = behaving in a good and moral way
5 UNBEKNOWN (adj) = without the person mentioned knowing
109
Test 57
1. After losing the secret files of the company, Henry was soon _____.
A out of the woods C B in tatters
out on his ear D in earshot
Key: C
be out on your ear = to be forced to leave a job or place, especially because you have
done something wrong
2. The mayor’s decision to build a new mall in the city center has received support
across the _____.
A board B pond C table D land
Key: A
across the board = involving everyone or everything in a company, situation, group,
etc
3. The disrespectful attitude of the president towards women has _____ among
the country’s female population. A
pushed the envelope B raised hackles
C popped the cherry D screwed the pooch
Key: B
raise sb’s hackles = to greatly irritate, annoy, or aggravate one
4. It is no surprise that this story has _____ in our office after Daisy was told
about it.
A given a buzz B ridden high
C done the rounds D rung the bell
Key: C
go/do the rounds = go from one person/place to another
5. You can tell her to stop smoking until you are _____ in the face, but she won’t change
her habit.
A red B grey C white D blue
Key: D
until you are blue in the face = If you say or shout something until you are blue in the
face, you are wasting your efforts because you will get no results
6. Everyone can see that Andy is at _____ for the error but he won’t admit it and
keeps putting the blame on his partner, such a shame!
A blame B fault C guilt D charge
Key: B
at fault = wrong or to blame
110
7. The immigrants from this country will not be given the right of _____in Britain when
the new legislation comes into force.
A abode B abbess C baptism D lodging
Key: A
Having right of abode means you're allowed to live or work in a country without any
immigration restrictions
8. Not only my family but seemingly everybody tends to _____ their spending during
this period of economic recession.
A trim in B drag down C rein in D belt up
Key: C
rein in = to start to control somebody/something more strictly
9. When someone brings up politics at a party, a casual conversation can quickly
_____ into an ugly argument.
A warp B coerce C wring D morph
Key: D
morph [+into] (v) = to change, or make somebody/something change, into
something different
10. Many people who have lost their jobs during the pandemic are starting to
_____.
A feel the pinch B feel up to the mark
C live in clover D taste salt
Key: A
feel the pinch = to not have enough money
11. The Prime Minister’s attempt to bring in new legislation was met by a _____ of
criticism from the public.
A sleet B hail C clash D bind
Key: B
hail (n) = a large number or amount of something that is aimed at somebody in order to
harm them
12. The abnormal surge in the record of robbery last month has urged the police force to
_____ hard on street crime.
A grind down B conk out C clamp down D boot out
Key: C
clamp down = to take strict action in order to prevent something, especially crime
13. The President has gotten used to being _____ by his political opponents
whenever a new policy is proposed.
A blasted off B ripped off C zonked out D sniped at
Key: D
snipe at = criticise
111
14. I have every right to _____ at unfair, and possibly illogical, situations — most
because of the decisions of higher-ups.
A rack and ruin B hem and haw C rant and rave D wax and wane
Key: C
rant and rave = to show that you are angry by shouting or complaining loudly 15. I
can’t see why the teacher compliments Harry so much, his performance is basically
nothing to _____ home about!
A write B call C go D tell
Key: A
nothing to write home about = nothing special
Word form
1. My whole class was caught _____ by the teacher’s spot check and many of us were
punished for bringing phones to school. (FOOT)
2. I have replaced my old dartboard, which has the boring ordinary _____ pattern,
with the one you gave me on my birthday. (CENTER)
3. Although the rumours about the comedian seem hard to believe, I think not all of
them are _____ (FOUND)
4. That the teacher suddenly _____ on her promise to reward points for the project
has rendered our efforts meaningless. (TRACK)
5. As a high school graduate, I am standing at the _____ of my life and I am fully
aware of the importance of choosing the right major for college. (ROAD)
1 FLAT-FOOTED (adj) = not prepared for what is going to happen 2

CONCENTRIC (adj) = (of circles) having the same centre
3 UNFOUNDED/ILL-FOUNDED (adj) = not based on reason, truth, fact....
4 BACKTRACKED (v) = to say that you did not mean something you said earlier or say
that you have changed your opinion
5 CROSSROADS (n) = a place where two roads meet and cross each other
112
Test 58
1. After days, the police resorted to _____ tactics to break up the protest. A
strong-arm B breakneck C hard-up D clawback Key:
A
a strong-arm tactic/method = a method or a type of behaviour that involves using
force and threats to make people do what you want
2. I give in! I will tell you everything you want to know, please call off _____. A the
dogs B the tigers C the guns D the guards
Key: A
call off the dogs = to tell someone to stop criticizing, attacking, or damaging
another person
3. She is a very sensitive girl so please _____.
A treat her with kid gloves B bless her cotton socks D
C pull the wool over her eyes go soft in her head
Key: A
treat sb with kid gloves = to deal with somebody in a very careful way so that you do
not offend or upset them
4. Sheila might not be smart, but she always gives _____ when she studies.
A a hundred and one percent C B a hundred and ten percent
hundredfold D twofold
Key: B
a hundred and ten percent = more than what seems to be the maximum 5. There
is currently a decline in sales, but don’t worry, it will _____
A come rain and shine C B come out swinging
come down the pike D come out in the wash
Key: D
come out in the wash = used to tell someone that problems will be solved in the end
6. That young man is _____ driving at that speed on icy roads at night.
A betting the ranch C B dicing with death
dancing on air D robbing the cradle
Key: B
dice with death = to do something extremely dangerous and silly
7. Exhausted after 4 periods, I was _____ at the back of the class when the teacher
called my name.
A drowsing B flaking C swooning D boozing
113
Key: A
drowse (v) = to be in a light sleep or to feel as though you are almost asleep 8. Ali
thought he could cram 10 units in one day but in the end, he completely _____ in his
English exam.
A flaked out B mucked up C bucked up D bound over
Key: B
muck up = to do something badly so that you fail to achieve what you wanted or
hoped to achieve
9. I know how sad you feel missing your chance to visit Paris due to this
pandemic, but I don’t think ____ like that may change anything.
A hassling about B wittering about C expounding on D harping on Key:
D
harp on = to talk or complain about something many times
10. I didn’t know I was so good at learning languages until I _____ Spanish before
my trip to Mexico.
A hammered into B rabbited on C boned up on D crammed down
Key: C
bone up on = to learn as much as you can about a subject, because you need the
knowledge
11. Every time we go to the shop, the kids _____ my mother to buy them candy but she
never gives in for the sake of their health.
A badger B interject C vitiate D peruse
Key: A
badger (v) = to put pressure on somebody by repeatedly asking them questions or asking
them to do something
12. All five men were _____from entering France for three years after being caught
shoplifting expensive fashion items in a mall.
A debauched B debarred C perverted D jettisoned
Key: B
debar (v) = to officially prevent somebody from doing something, joining
something, etc.
13. This used to be a toy store when I was still a kid, but several years ago they started
selling dried fruit and nuts and other _____ products.
A cogent B kindred C typical D cognate
Key: B
kindred (adj) = similar/related
14. When you grow up, become an adult, go through failures and betrayal, your life may
have fewer parties and more quiet time to _____ on the meaning of life. A dilate B
expatiate C admonish D cogitate
Key: D
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cogitate (v) = to think carefully and seriously about something

15. Coming home with a broken heart, he sank back on his pillow and fell into a
_____, not noticing my talking to him.
A rabbit warren B bottomless pit C brown study D manhole
Key: C
a brown study = a mood in which you are very involved in your own thoughts and
not paying attention to anything else
Word form
1 I did not really enjoy Parasite although it is a(n) _____ film, maybe it was simply
not my cup of tea. (AWARD)
2 From Lung Cu to Ca Mau, I will buy a minivan to travel _____ immediately when
this epidemic is over. (COUNTRY)
3 Whenever I give a speech, I can’t help feeling nervous _____ (HAND)
4 The police _____ the car and other personal property of the drug dealer.
(POUND)
5 While _____ service does not generate revenue for a company, it has a role to play
in retaining old customers post the sale of a product and attracting more customers.
(SALE)
1 AWARD-WINNING (adj) = having won a prize

2 CROSS-COUNTRY (adv) = across the length of the country 3
BEFOREHAND (adv) = before sth else happens
4 IMPOUNDED (v) = (of the police, courts of law, etc.) to take something away from
somebody, so that they cannot use it or because they have broken the law 5 AFTER-
SALES (adj) = the fact of providing help to customers after they have bought a
product, usually involving doing repairs that are needed or giving advice on how to
use the product
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Test 59
1. It’s a(n) _____ that women are paid less than men for the same amount of
work.
A going concern B crying shame
C onsite matter D splitting headache
Key: B
it’s a crying shame = something that you say when you think a situation is wrong 2. I
was very disappointed when I found out such a talented and reputable actor got involved
in such _____ affairs.
A rotting B gaudy C tawdry D shoddy
Key: C
tawdry (adj) = showing or having low moral standards
3. Teachers are usually made the _____ for students’ low grades. A
scapegoats B brushwood C sideshow D tavern
Key: A
scapegoat (n) = a person who is blamed for something that someone else has done
4. If your deceased grandfather knew how you have squandered his fortune, he
would _____.
A be in a fit of pique B turn in his grave
C walk like Rihanna D groan inwardly
Key: B
turn in his/her grave = (of a person who is dead) likely to be very shocked or angry
5. Avoid saying the name of her gone mother, let sleeping _____ lie. A lions
B dogs C cats D birds Key:
B
let sleeping dogs lie = said to warn someone that they should not talk about a bad
situation that most people have forgotten about
6. Don’t panic when your child gets low grades, just _____ for a while and only
interfere when necessary.
A leave it at that B leave go C let it slip D let it ride
Key: D
let it ride = to not take any action to stop something wrong or unpleasant,
thinking that action may not be necessary or is not yet necessary
7. My mother didn’t let me learn Taekwondo at first, but I _____.
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A twisted her arm C B broke her back

gave her the eye D chew her ear off
Key: A
twist sb's arm = to get someone to do what you want by making it very difficult for
him or her to refuse
8. I was woken up at a(n) _____ hour in the morning by a strange noise in the garden.
A ungodly B dismal C evil D earthly
Key: A
ungodly hour = very early or very late and therefore annoying
9. In the past, comets were feared _____ of important historical events,
including invasions and major disasters.
A prophets B prescience C trailblazers D harbingers
Key: D
harbinger = a sign that shows that something is going to happen soon, often
something bad
10. The battle was aimed to overthrow the dictator’s sovereignty and establish a new
democratic government - or at least, that was the _____ reason according to
what they said.
A convenient B ostensible C conspicuous D blatant
Key: B
ostensible (adj) = seeming or stated to be real or true, when this is perhaps not the case
11. He claimed he had been _____ his job by jealous colleagues but we all knew it
was just because of his ineptitude.
A dragged from B dealt out of C hounded out of D bashed down from
Key: C
hound out of sth = to force somebody to leave a job or a place, especially by making
their life difficult and unpleasant
12. I can’t believe you really dared to _____ $400 for that BlackPink lightstick while
having yet paid off your debts.
A bunk down B plunk down C crack up D blast away
Key: B
plunk down = to spend an amount of money on something
13. I never thought that a well-known actor would _____ endorsing low-quality
products for money and totally trusted everything he said.
A step up B stoop to C. batten on D dragoon into
Key: B
stoop to = to drop your moral standards to do something bad or unpleasant
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14. She's an arrogant girl who is always getting into trouble for giving her
teachers _____.
A cheek B juice C tacks D tongue
Key: A
cheek (n) = talk or behaviour that people think is annoying, rude or not showing enough
respect
15. Easter Monday in Buccoo Village, I was elbowing my way through ice-cream vans
and _____ of people when I saw a weird little girl with red hair.
A flocks B herds C hordes D shoals
Key: C
horde (n) = a large crowd of people
Word form
1 Tea is bitter in nature, but certain substances in high-quality tea may give it a sweet
_____ that will gradually cover the initial bitterness. (TASTE)
2 As a gesture of _____, we agreed to do the work free of charge. (GOOD)
3 December 1948, the enemy launched a full-scale _____ on our capital, killing 387 000
civilians. (SLAUGHT)
4 The actor _____ the question by denying his relationship with the female internet
celebrity. (STEP)
5 There is nothing to be proud of in showing a _____ attitude, you should really learn
the value of discipline! (CONFORM)
1 AFTERTASTE (n) = a taste (usually an unpleasant one) that stays in your mouth
after you have eaten or drunk something
2 GOODWILL (n) = friendly or helpful feelings towards other people or countries 3
ONSLAUGHT (n) = a strong or violent attack
4 SIDESTEPPED (v) = to avoid answering a question or dealing with a problem 5
NONCONFORMIST (adj) = not following normal ways of thinking or behaving
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Test 60
1. The amount of each ingredient put in your cake might differ a bit from the recipe,
so it usually requires experience to have your cake done _____.
A there and then C B just the way
for good D to a turn
Key: D
cooked/ done to a turn = cooked for exactly the right amount of time
2. I was _____ after the three-hour test and only wanted to sleep when I got home.
A done in B done away C done out D done with
Key: A
done in = very tired
3. Picasso _____ most of his paintings and sculptures to Spain and France. A
bequeathed B bereaved C berated D entrusted
Key: A
bequeath (v) = to arrange for money or property to be given to somebody after your
death
4. Tell the bullies that your father is a policeman, that will put the _____ up them. A chill
B wind C fright D frostbite
Key: B
put the wind up sb = to make sb feel worried about their situation
5. After what she has contributed to the organization, she has finally obtained the
recognition she _____ deserved.
A utterly B truthfully C richly D merely
Key: C
richly (adv) = in a very special or valuable way, or in a way that is greater than usual
6. The reason I turned down that job is because sales assistants are often at the _____
end of verbal abuse from customers.
A dead B receiving C pointed D far
Key: B
If you are at/on the receiving end of something unpleasant that someone does, you
suffer because of it
7. My father said when he asked my mother out for a date, she kept him _____ for a
week before making her decision.
A hovering B floating C lurching D dangling
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Key: D
keep sb dangling = to keep somebody in an uncertain state by not telling them
something that they want to know
8. The dynamic environment in this school provides _____ ground for creativity and
innovation.
A arable B lucrative C fallow D fertile
Key: D
fertile (adj) = that produces good results; that encourages activity
9. After a trip to this so-called “violent” region, I realize this is barely a(n) _____
controversy surrounded by weak allegations made up by the media.
A obnoxious B revolting C unsubstantiated D inauspicious
Key: C
unsubstantiated (adj) = not proved to be true by evidence
10. During the last years of the decade, when the Internet started to get more popular,
many companies _____ the idea of putting advertisements online.
A tripped up B latched onto C stooped to D tried on
Key: B
latch onto = to understand an idea or what somebody is saying
11. It is reported that people living in areas under lockdown have to pay slightly more
than the _____ for food and other necessities.
A going rate B low level C tail end D even ground
Key: A
the going rate = the usual amount of money paid for goods or services at a
particular time
12. My friend tried to create a perfect image of his class by boasting about their
achievements but at the same time _____ their internal conflicts.
A shoring up B closing on C glossing over D branching out
Key: C
gloss over = to avoid talking about something unpleasant or embarrassing by not
dealing with it in detail
13. This company is one of the few firms to have _____ of a declining industry
during this time of pandemic. A
gone off the rails B cut their losses
C cut corners D bucked the trend
Key: D
buck the trend = to succeed in doing something, even though there is a general tendency
for this not to happen
14. The owner of the factory offered a compromise at the _____ hour to prevent a strike
about to be launched by workers.
A twenty third B eleventh C evil D small
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Key: B
at the eleventh hour = at the last possible moment; just in time
15. The old security guard has been working here for so long that he has become
_____ - it is hard to imagine our school without him one day.
A the top of the tree C B a living soul
part of the furniture D a cog in the machine
Key: C
part of the furniture = sb has been somewhere for such a long time that it is hard to
imagine that place without them.
Word form
1 One of the most famous paintings of Chen Yifei is “Upland Wind”, a _____
drawing of a heavily clothed Tibetan family. (LIFE)
2 You can see the _____ of the victory on his face even half a month after the contest.
(GLOW)
3 Using _____ steel in construction may help you save money at first but will end up
costing you more when the building degrades. (GRADE)
4 There is nothing to worry about such a small problem, just relax and don’t _____
it! (THINK)
5 Looking at the number of typos in this article, I am sure you have skipped the _____
stage again. (READ)
1 LIFELIKE (adj) = exactly like a real person or thing

2 AFTERGLOW (n) = a pleasant feeling after a good experience 3
LOW-GRADE (adj) = of low quality
4 OVERTHINK (v) = to think about sth too much in a way that is not useful
5 PROOFREADING (n) = the process of finding and correcting mistakes in text before
it is printed or put online
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Test 61
1. After months of training, the astronauts were eager to get the show _____. A to the
stage B off the street C on the road D into light
Key: C
get the show on the road = get sth started.
2. Be careful with who you make friends with, your relationships can have a
considerable _____ on your future.
A weight B force C bearing D footing
Key: C
have a bearing on sth = to have an influence on something or a relationship to
something
3. A friend of mine is regarded by many people as a(n) _____ bachelor but he does not
show much interest in marriage.
A feasible B legal C delicate D eligible
Key: D
eligible (adj) = an eligible person is not married and is thought to be a suitable future
marriage partner, especially because they are rich and attractive
4. The students were still able to cheat without being caught by the camera, _____
high-tech supervision.
A so much for B very much of C thus be it D so it be
Key: A
If you say so much for a particular thing, you mean that it has not been
successful or helpful.
5. Without the Internet, I can’t imagine how _____ can speak up their opinions when
many governments try to restrict free speech.
A dissidents B protesters C proponents D debaters
Key: A
dissident (n) = a person who publicly disagrees with and criticizes their
government
6. Since many of Kris Wu’s fans have developed a tendency to _____ due to his
perfect public image, his scandal came as a shock to them.
A spare his feelings B follow his footsteps
C put him on a pedestal D take him under their wings
Key: C
put sb on a pedestal = to admire or love someone so much that you believe they
have no faults
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7. Many people see supermarkets as great contributors to the economy of this area
without realizing that they are _____ local stores.
A tiding over B bringing out C forcing down D squeezing out
Key: D
squeeze out = to prevent somebody/something from continuing to do something or be in
business
8. For some unknown reason, Tony seems to be an overly tidy person and
always_____ keeping everything in his house well-organized.
A ropes into B makes a point of
C stoops low to D sets his sights on
Key: B
make a point of = to always do something or to take particular care to do
something
9. My boss was about to _____ the meeting as everyone had all agreed on the plan
when a new problem was raised.
A draw in B take down C stop off D wind up
Key: D
wind up = to bring something such as a speech or meeting to an end
10. Frightened by the actors in the Halloween Haunted House, the little boy
screamed his _____ off
A head B heart C throat D soul
Key: A
scream your head off = to scream or yell very loudly and lengthily
11. Reuniting after 10 years, my best friend, who is now a successful
businessman, offered to _____ the drinks that night.
A fork out B deal out C do up D spring for
Key: D
spring for = to pay for or buy something, often for someone else
12. Even when he does not have any justifiable reason for buying a car, my father
still _____ on one last month.
A splashed out B spilled out C bucketed down D poured down
Key: A
splash out on sth = spend a lot of money on sth
13. Despite saying that gender is not important, Tony had made it _____ clear that he
preferred having a baby boy.
A painfully B unduly C abundantly D pure
Key: C
abundantly clear = very obvious
14. Be realistic, your present Chinese level is not going to bring you a(n) _____ chance
of getting a translation job.
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A oddly B boldly C briskly D earthly

Key: D
earthly (adj) = (often used in questions and negatives for emphasis) possible 15. People
from tropical countries may like this kind of climate, but not farmers like me, my
whole crop has been _____ by a late frost.
A blasted B groped C hailed D brooded
Key: A
blast (v) = to destroy something such as a plant with disease, cold, heat, etc.
Word form
1 The factory provides a real _____ for many unskilled rural women in poverty. (LIFE)
2 Undoubtedly, he was just inviting me as a(n) _____ because I didn’t receive any
invitation cards was informed about the time only a day before the wedding.
(THOUGHT)
3 Just because he is burning the midnight oil doesn’t mean that he is a(n) _____ student,
he has been procrastinating for weeks. (INDUSTRY)
4 He is just trying to hide his wickedness under his _____ appearance by acting kind and
courteous. (MAN)
5 Chaturanga, an ancient Indian strategy game, is commonly theorized to be the
1500-year-old _____ of king chess. (RUN)
1 LIFELINE (n) = something that is very important for somebody and that they
depend on
2 AFTERTHOUGHT (n) = a thing that is thought of, said or added later, and is often
not carefully planned
3 INDUSTRIOUS (adj) = hard-working
4 GENTLEMANLY (adj) = behaving very well and showing very good manners, like a
gentleman
5 FORERUNNER (n) = a person or thing that came before and influenced
somebody/something else that is similar
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Test 62
1. I feel like I'm _____ when I have joined too many clubs and end up being
snowed under tasks deadlines. A
juggling frogs B chasing my tail
C chickening out D getting ducks in a row
Key: A
juggle frogs = trying to deal with many different tasks at the same time and finding
the situation difficult
2. They are brothers, they can never fall out with each other for long and will
_____ soon.
A kiss and make up C B get their goats D
burst the bubble break the ice
Key: A
kiss and make up = to forgive sb and become friends again
3. Hearing the news of my father's sudden death, I went weak in the _____ and could
barely remain standing.
A legs B heart C soul D knees
Key: D
weak in the knees = unsteady or flustered due to a strong emotional reaction to someone
or something.
4. There have been a few times that I've nearly _____, but thinking of my
responsibility to my daughter helps keep me sober.
A faced the music C B fallen off the wagon
given lip service D had a screw loose
Key: B
fall off the wagon = to begin using alcohol (or another problem substance) after quitting
5. The scene on the street this morning was like an action movie in real life with
cops _____ of the bank robbers. A
near the knuckle B close to the bone D
C hot on the heels down at the heels
Key: C
hot on the heels = following closely behind sb
6. 30 years after graduation, the billionaire returned to his hometown and donated
$20 million to his _____ - Chicago University.
A alma mater B avant-garde C cul-de-sac D silhouette
Key: A
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alma mater = the school, college, or university that one attended or in which one has
studied
7 We used to have a _____ childhood together in a poor but cozy family before
everyone grew up and things started to go wrong.
A blistering B opulent C doleful D blissful
Key: D
blissful (adj) = extremely happy
8 All members had to take a solemn _____ never to reveal the secrets of the
organization.
A oath B motto C adage D maxim
Key: A
oath (n) = a formal promise to do something or a formal statement that
something is true
9. The company has gained such a good reputation for the quality of its products that its
name has become a _____ for excellence.
A slogan B byword C cliché D dictum
Key: B
byword (n) = a person or thing that is a well-known or typical example of a
particular quality
10. He's had a lot of problems at work, fired twice and failing countless times, but he
always seems to _____ pretty quickly.
A back up B skip out C scrape through D bounce back
Key: D
bounce back = to become healthy, successful or confident again after being ill or
having difficulties
11. My teacher is usually very tolerant, but after the fifth time in the week Tony came
late, she lost her patience and _____.
A bawled him out C B mopped him up
hashed him out D boiled him down
Key: A
bawl out = to speak angrily to somebody because they have done something wrong
12. My lack of sleep, accompanied by the absolute silence in the library, makes me feel
like I'm about to _____ any minute.
A pass by B doze off C pull in D slope off
Key: B
doze off = fall asleep, especially during the day
13 A huge fire _____ a food and beverage factory outside Bangladesh’s capital last
night, killing at least 52 people.
A tided over B smoked out C phased out D ripped through
126
Key: D
rip through = to go very quickly and violently into or through
somebody/something
14. The leaders of the organization were determined to _____ the traitor after their
secret base had been discovered and attacked.
A head off B knuckle down C smoke out D cop out
Key: C
smoke out = to take action to discover where somebody is hiding or to make a secret
publicly known
15. The blaze began Thursday night at the five-story factory in Rupganj, sending huge
clouds of black smoke _____ into the sky.
A hurling B forging C roaming D billowing
Key: D
billow (v) = if smoke, cloud, etc. billows, it rises and moves in a large mass
Word form
1. People argue that the new term added to the Cybersecurity Law is almost _____ to
censorship. (AMOUNT)
2. Animal diseases can potentially pass to humans at any animal-human _____ such as a
zoo, farm or animal market. (FACE)
3. To prevent the outbreak of epidemics, if animals in your house have any signs of a
_____ disease, please report to your local authority. (NOTICE)
4. People from infected areas must _____ their health status and contact tracing.
(REPORT)
5. Many people might be _____ during the incubation period so we can never know
who really doesn’t carry the virus. (SYMPTOM)
1 TANTAMOUNT (adj) = having the same bad effect as something else

2 INTERFACE (n) = the point where two subjects, systems, etc. meet and affect each
other
3 NOTIFIABLE (adj) = a notifiable disease or offence must be reported to public health
or legal organizations
4 SELF-REPORT (v) = to give details about an aspect of your life, typically
relating to your physical or mental condition
5 ASYMPTOMATIC (adj) = having no symptoms
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Test 63
1. Nobody is casting _____ on you, it’s just you misunderstanding everyone! A
rebuke B censure C aspersions D condemnation Key:
C
aspersions = an unkind remark or an unfair judgment
2. This relationship is unlikely to get anywhere - for one thing, they are both _____
and will never tolerate the others.
A highly-strung B boisterous C rambunctious D stand-offish
Key: A
highly strung (adj) = easily upset
3. It had been quite late but the party still had no sign of ending so we decided to take
_____ leave and made our way home.
A French B Greek C Spanish D Tokyo
Key: A
take French leave = an absence or departure from some place or event without
ceremony, permission, or announcement
4. Sadly, the young actor’s stardom ended up being _____ as he was quickly
forgotten after his first movie. A
feather in the cap B flash in the pan D
C sands of time rack and ruin
Key: B
flash in the pan = a sudden success that lasts only a short time and is not likely to be
repeated
5. When my car suddenly broke down in the middle of a forest at night, I felt like a
_____ in the wild.
A sitting duck B turned turtle C shag on a rock D boiling frog
Key: A
sitting duck = sth that is unprotected and vulnerable to an easy attack.
6. Ever since Kyle became a teenager, he's turned into a real _____, and it's
impossible to anticipate his mood at any given time.
A X-factor B Vicar of Bray C Jumping Judas D Jekyll and Hyde
Key: D
Jekyll and Hyde = A person whose personality drastically changes between good
and bad.
7. She is described as an elegant girl with brown eyes and a(n) _____ smile always
on her face.
A irksome B blushing C winsome D blistering
Key: C
winsome (adj) = charming and attractive in a simple way
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8. Sadly, I don’t have the discerning _____ necessary to fully enjoy such
expensive dishes.
A appetite B epitome C tongue D palate
Key: D
palate = the ability to recognize and/or enjoy good food and drink
9. If her accusations are false, she is making a lot of _____ remarks about a lot of
people and will have to compensate quite a lot.
A tarnished B spurious C irascible D slanderous
Key: D
slanderous (adj) = (of a spoken statement) false, and intended to damage the good
opinion people have of somebody
10. After the fraud scandal, the famous singer had to make great efforts to _____
his reputation.
A reinforce B leverage C regenerate D salvage
Key: D
salvage (v) = to try to make a bad situation better
11. Praying everyday is _____ on believers as a religious duty - thus, it has become
an integral part in my daily routine.
A enmeshed B heeded C enjoined D entitled
Key: C
enjoin (v) = to order or strongly advise somebody to do something; to say that a
particular action or quality is necessary
12. New policies have been implemented by the government with a view to _____
the ailing economy after the pandemic.
A curling in B screwing up C knuckling down D shoring up
Key: D
shore up = to help to support something that is weak or going to fail
13. Don had been living _____ after winning the lottery before he found himself in
arrears with his rent and later became homeless.
A beyond his means C B from hand to mouth
in arrears D on an even keel
Key: A
live beyond your means = spend more than you earn
14. After running 42km in the blistering heat of summer, Jasper _____ with
exhaustion.
A phased out B hashed out C keeled over D knuckled down
Key: C
keel over = to fall over suddenly
15. The professor could see that no one was listening to her boring lecture, but she
_____ regardless.
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A ploughed on B sit through C stuck on D mulled over

Key: A
plough on = to continue doing something that is difficult or boring
Word form
1. Peel the bananas and slice each _____ while waiting for the water to boil. (LONG)
2. Up to now, at least 37 people have been reported to be infected by the _____in
South Korea at her church. (SPREAD)
3. Those who have been tested for the virus must _____ as they await their results.
(QUARANTINE)
4. Antibiotics cannot be used to treat _____ infections because they don't kill viruses,
only bacteria. (VIRUS)
5. The plane entered Chinese controlled _____ without permission and had to land
immediately to prevent any unforeseen accidents. (SPACE)
1 LONGWAYS/LENGTHWISE/LENGTHWAYS (adv) = in the direction of the

longest side
2 SUPERSPREADER (n) = a person with a disease who spreads it to a much larger
number of people than average
3 SELF-QUARANTINE (v) = to keep yourself away from other people for a
period of time if you think you may have a disease in order to prevent the disease
from spreading
4 VIRAL (adj) = like or caused by a virus
5 AIRSPACE (n) = the part of the sky where planes fly, usually the part above a
particular country that is legally controlled by that country
130
Test 64
1. Despite strict regulations against _____ advertising, it can still be spotted
everywhere from images that briefly flash in between frames of film to subtle
messages in a song.
A subsiding B sublingual C subliminal D telepathic
Key: C
subliminal (adj) = affecting your mind even though you are not aware of it
2. Something that I would really enjoy as a child was to watch the buffaloes _____
in the warerhole and rolling in the mud.
A twitching B stalking C strolling D wallowing
Key: D
wallow (v) = (of large animals or people) to lie and roll about in water or mud, to keep
cool or for pleasure
3. A thousand thoughts _____ together inside my mind while I try to force myself to
sleep every night!
A trifle B jostle C fidget D twiddle
Key: B
jostle (v) = to compete for something such as attention or a reward
4. While the adults were overthinking the problem, little John came up with a _____
solution to the problem using the simple mind of a child.
A clean B neat C makeshift D smooth
Key: B
neat (adj) = simple but clever
5. Liverpool had several opportunities to score but _____ their chances and lost the game
in the end.
A squandered B abused C scattered D abolished
Key: A
squander (v) = to waste money or supplies, or to waste opportunities by not using
them to your advantage
6. I saw my classmate cheating during the test, but it was nothing of my _____ so I
kept my mouth shut in the end.
A nose B skull C palm D cheek
Key: A
it is no skin of my nose = It is no or very little concern of mine; it poses no
difficulty, threat, or risk to me.
7. Please follow the doctor's advice, he is in _____ earnest about the epidemic. A grave
B sincere C deadly D pure
Key: C
in deadly earnest = completely serious
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8. My mother _____ when she came back home this noon and found out I had
forgotten to cook the rice. A
brought the house down C B hit the ceiling
had her blood boiled D hit the wall
Key: B
hit the ceiling = to become extremely angry
9. Only when you see the hurricane season here will you know nature is
comforting but can also be _____ A
out for blood B uncharted waters
C like getting blood out of a stone D red in tooth and claw
Key: D
red in tooth and claw = behaving competitively or ruthlessly
10. Hearing about my uncle's death last night, I felt somewhat relieved that he could
now leave this _____ behind after 8 years struggling with cancer.
A gift of the gab C B vale of tears
donkey’s years D cat-and-dog life
Key: B
vale of tears = life or the world at large regarded as a source of sorrow, strife, or
tragedy.
11. Harry knows _____ well that he would receive punishment for this but he’s still
determined to go ahead with his plan.
A grim B dead C all D full
Key: D
know full well = be definitely aware of sth, although they may behave as if they are not
12. He was trying to _____ the complicated series of events that had led to this situation
but still couldn’t see where the mistakes lied.
A weasel out B crouch over C ravel out D bowl over
Key: C
ravel out = to explain something that is difficult to understand or is mysterious; to
become clearer or easier to understand
13. Twenty years serving the business as second in _____ to his father has helped
him gain precious experience for his career.
A authority B command C decree D junction
Key: B
second in command (n) = a person who has the second highest rank in a group and takes
charge when the leader is not there
14. After graduating from law school, my father got a job in the local jury office
and was responsible for _____ justice on the island.
A interrogating B dispensing C waiving D legitimizing
Key: B
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dispense (v) = to provide something, especially a service, for people

15. It is unfair that he's been cheating his customers for years, and getting _____
away with it.
A white B clean C straight D flat
Key: B
clean (adv) = completely
Word form
1. The latest economic surveys are _____ as a result of the decline in world trade
during the pandemic. (BEAT)
2. The recent factory closures and job losses are just a _____ of the recession that is to
come. (TASTE)
3. Sarah didn’t do very well on the test, so when knowing her score was barely
enough to pass, the expression on her face was _____ between disappointment and
relief. (WAY)
4. The rainbow appears after the rain and looks just like a colorful giant _____ fan in
the sky. (CIRCLE)
5. My team is submerged in deadlines so we do not have the _____ to take on new
projects at the moment. (BAND)
1 DOWNBEAT (adj) = depressing; not having much hope for the future
2 FORETASTE (n) = a small amount of a particular experience or situation that shows
you what it will be like when the same thing happens on a larger scale in the future
3 MIDWAY (adv) = with some of the characteristics of one thing and some of
another
4 SEMICIRCULAR (adj) = forming or having a shape like one half of a circle 5
BANDWIDTH (n) = the energy or capacity that you need to do something
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Test 65
1. The authorities only sit in the _____ without knowing anything about the real desire
of ordinary people.
A ivory tower B cloud castle C air balloon D royal palace
Key: A
ivory tower = a place or situation where you are separated from the problems and
practical aspects of normal life and therefore do not have to worry about or understand
them
2. Everyone loves these giant retail chains for their low prices, but few care that the local
business owners are taken the _____ out of their mouth.
A bread B egg C teeth D pudding
Key: A
take the bread out of somebody’s mouth = to take away somebody’s job so that they are
no longer able to earn enough money to live
3. I can see you have been practicing very hard for the past 5 months so you totally
deserve the _____, son!
A gold plate B blue ribbon C silver spoon D red flag
Key: B
blue ribbon = the highest prize in a competition or event
4. I know your dream is to become a singer, but with your voice, please stop
_____ and choose another major. A
chasing the dragon B chasing rainbows D
C crying over spilt milk holding the fort
Key: B
chase rainbows = to try to get something that you can never have
5. John’s reaction showed that he was full of _____ after hearing that he was going to
be a dad for the first time.
A cakes B lemons C jellies D beans
Key: D
full of beans = to be full of energy and in high spirits
6. The detective pressed the doorbell and waited in the _____ for the front door to open.
A perch B threshold C porch D ridge
Key: C
porch (n) = a small area at the entrance to a building, such as a house or a church,
that is covered by a roof and often has walls
7. Our diplomatic relationship with that country is rather tense at the moment and we
are facing a(n) _____ threat of invasion.
A prominent B imminent C auspicious D immediate
Key: B
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imminent (adj) = (especially of something unpleasant) likely to happen very soon

8. During French colonialism, many Vietnamese workers were on the _____ to object
labour exploitation in factories and plantations.
A dole queue B picket line C back bench D assembly line
Key: B
the picket line = a line of people picketing a business, organization, or institution 9.
Thinking of the test never fails to make my stomach _____ - waiting for the result is
like torturing my soul.
A flutter B paralyse C wail D relapse
Key: A
If your heart or stomach flutters, you feel slightly uncomfortable because you are
excited or nervous:
10. Returning home and staying with your family during the holiday was so
comfortable that I sometimes wish this could continue _____ forever.
A unbroken B unbridled C unabridged D unabated
Key: A
unbroken (adj) = not interrupted in any way
11. My insomnia is so serious that even the background _____ of the air-
conditioning bothers my sleep.
A din B thud C blare D hum
Key: D
hum (n) = a low continuous sound
12. He has turned over a new leaf so will you please be kind enough to stop _____
his criminal record?
A ruling out B ringing back C ramping up D raking up
Key: D
rake up = to mention something unpleasant that happened in the past and that other
people would like to forget
13. From the way John is speaking, I suspect he is _____ another piece of cake for his
girlfriend.
A angling for B alluding to C sticking to D attesting to
Key: A
angle for = to try to get sth or a particular response from somebody, without directly
asking for what you want
14. After the test, John _____ hours everyday playing games as a way to
compensate for his hard work over the past few months.
A sinks in B slips up C idles away D ironing out
Key: C
idle away = waste time doing nothing much
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15. Just by a glance, everybody can realize John is _____ by his desirable results in
the test.
A captivated B intoxicated C aroused D extracted
Key: B
intoxicate (v) = to make sb excited, happy, and slightly out of control
Word form
1. Ever since his girlfriend had to serve in the isolation area, he has always seemed
_____ (CAST)
2. Many FMVs were produced using this web service, which allows people to create
_____ of movies by combining scenes from various films. (MASH)
3. The conflict relating to border delineation between the two countries has led to the
_____ of their diplomatic relation. (SEVER)
4. Mining and other industrial activities destroy this area and turn it into a
desolate _____. (MOON)
5. Although tourists are attracted to Sapa because of the snow, residents there are
actually afraid of this weather due to its harm to their _____, especially the buffaloes.
(LIVE)
1 DOWNCAST (adj) = (of a person or an expression) sad or depressed

2 MASH-UPS (n) = a combination of elements from different sources used to create a
new song, video, computer file, program, etc.
3 SEVERANCE (n) = the act of ending a connection or relationship
4 MOONSCAPE (n) = an area of land that is empty, with no trees, water, etc., and
looks like the surface of the moon
5 LIVESTOCK (n) = animals and birds that are kept on a farm, such as cows, sheep,
or chickens
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Test 66
1. Ms. Acogny took the liberty of introducing herself, for she, too, was a dancer of
some _______.
A. renown B. recognition C. dignity D. reputation
Key: A
of renown = being known and admired by many people for some special quality or
achievement
2. Nature is rational, simple and orderly, and it acts in accordance with _______ laws.
A. ineluctable B. inscrutable C. immutable D. implausible
Key. C
immutable (adj) = that cannot be changed; that will never change
3. We suggested it would be quicker to fly, but she _______ and insisted on
taking the train. A.
bit her head off B. dug her heels in
C. kept her chin up D. stuck her neck out
Key: B
dig your heels in = to refuse to change your plans or ideas, especially when
someone is trying to persuade you to do so
4. I apologized unreservedly for the offending remarks I had made but he turned a cold,
_______ gaze on me.
A. amphibian B. draconian C. mammalian D. reptilian
Key: D
reptilian (adj) = used to describe an unpleasantly strange and unfriendly person or type
of behaviour
5. _______ journalism is a practice whereby monetary inducement is given to
journalists to make them write a positive story or kill a negative story.
A. Blue chamber B. Brown envelope
C. Red letter D. White card
Key: B
Brown envelope journalism (BEJ) is a practice whereby monetary inducement is given
to journalists to make them write a positive story or kill a negative story. The name is
derived from cash inducements hidden in brown envelopes and given to journalists
during press briefings
6. The employment secretary found himself _______ over recent job cuts.
A. at the end of the line C. B. down the line D.
in the pipeline on the firing line
Key: D
be in/on the firing line = to be in a position where people can criticize or blame you
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7. When the cost was ________ the advantages, the scheme looked perfect.
A. set against B. pit against
C. counted against D. weighed up against
Key: A
set something (off) against something = to judge something by comparing good or
positive qualities with bad or negative ones
8. China's car market exploded in 2009, _______ an ailing global industry and
relegating the U.S. to the second spot.
A. propping up B. ticking over C. wading through D. forging ahead
Key: A
prop up = to help something that is having difficulties
9. Judges already have substantial latitude to limit _______ arguments that might
mislead jurors; they could use it more often.
B. intramural B. extramural C. extraneous D. outbound
Key: C
extraneous (adj) = not directly connected with the particular situation you are in or the
subject you are dealing with
10. He doesn't like the job but he'll _______ until the work is done.
A. cotton on B. harp on C. impinge on D. soldier on
Key: D
soldier on = to continue with what you are doing or trying to achieve, especially when
this is difficult or unpleasant
11. Often the interviewer will need to _______ devil's advocate in order to get a
discussion going.
A. make B. act C. place D. play
Key: D
play devil's advocate = express an opinion that they do not really hold in order to
encourage a discussion about a subject
12. Unfortunately, we ran out of time during tonight's show and had to _______ our
musical guest off.
A. sag B. write C. dust D. bump
Key: D
bumb sb off = to unexpectedly remove someone from something, often a list or
schedule
13. It is a(n) _______ fact that governments rise and fall on the state of the
economy.
A. axiomatic B. pragmatic C. chromatic D. enigmatic
Key: A
axiomatic = evident without proof or argument
138
14. With the economy in the worst recession for thirty years, it was scarcely the most
_______ time to start up a company.
A. pernicious B. parsimonious C. precipitous D. propitious
Key: D
propitious (adj) = likely to produce a successful result
15. That car must have set Joe _________ quite a bit; it’s top of the range. A. away
B. back C. in D. down
Key: B
set somebody back something = to cost somebody a particular amount of money
Word form
1. This is regarded by many as a _________ initiative that has failed to deliver its
promises. (LAME)
2. On Wednesday night the UN issued its toughest _________ to date,
demanding that all troops withdraw from the city. (ULTIMATE)
3. The balance of the pairs of opposites which comprise a square is the
_________ of its perfection. (SIGN)
4. An early example of product _________ is in the 1949 movie Gun Crazy, where a
Bulova clock is repeatedly shown in important scenes. (PLACE)
5. I just use a few basic and _________ symbols, for the most part just crossing out
errors and inserting the correct version. (EXPLAIN)
1. LAME-DUCK (n) = one that is weak or that falls behind in ability or

achievement
2. ULTIMATUM (n) = a threat in which a person or group of people are warned that if
they do not do a particular thing, something unpleasant will happen to them
3. INSIGNIA (n) = an object or mark that shows that a person belongs to a
particular organization or group, or has a particular rank
4. PLACEMENT (n) = the act of placing something in a particular position, or the
position of something
5. SELF-EXPLANATORY (adj) = easily understood from the information already given
and not needing further explanation:
139
Test 67
1. The decision to include Morris in the team was completely _______ when he scored
three goals.
A. extrapolated B. vindicated C. reverberated D. subjugated
Key: B
vindicate something (v) = to prove that something is true or that you were right to do
something, especially when other people had a different opinion
2. Simon hasn’t got a job, and isn’t trying to get one. He just _________ his friends.
A. meddles with B. sponges on C. tarts up D. sweeps along
Key: B
sponge on = to take advantage of someone else's generosity, charity, or
hospitality in order to obtain something, typically money or food, as a handout 3.
Failing to stand a _________ state-run organization, Jimmy decided to switch job.
A. symphonic B. monolithic C. gargantuan D. concordant
Key: B
monolithic = used to describe single, very large organizations that are very slow to
change and not interested in individual people
4. On Jan. 17, 1893, Hawaii's monarchy was overthrown as a group of
businessmen and sugar planters forced Queen Liliuokalani to _______.
A. forsake B. abdicate C. desert D. cede
Key: B
abdicate (v) = to give up the position of being king, queen or emperor
5. Although 83 he was still _______ and his death from pneumonia following a short
hospital stay came as a shock.
A. ebullient B. exuberant C. sprightly D. vivacious
Key: C
sprightly (adj) = (especially of older people) full of life and energy
6. If you never put oil into your car engine, one day it will __________. A.
run off B. flake out C. shut down D. seize up
Key: D
seize up = to stop being able to move or work in the normal way
7. She learns to detach, to _______, from all earthly concepts and material objects,
even bodily form.
A. backbite B. impugn C. reprehend D. abnegate
Key: D
abnegate = to not allow yourself to have something, especially something you like or
want
140
8. We are a luxury restaurant and if people have a bad experience, we have to

_______.
A. carry all before them B. carry the can
C. carry the ball D. carry the day
Key: B
carry the can = to take the blame or responsibility for something that is wrong or has
not succeeded
9. I don’t like to make friends with those who always ____ people _____ behind their
backs.
A. slag/off B. slap/around C. strike/out D. hate/on
Key: A
slag sb off = to criticize someone or something in an unpleasant way
10. The dress is perfect. Don't add anything to it at all. It would just be _______.
A. going to seed B. smelling of roses
C. pushing up the daisies D. gilding the lily
Key: D
gild the lily = make unnecessary additions to what is already complete
11. Government becomes no longer the servant of the people but in the thrall of big
money, lobbyists and a media happy to live off its fancy leftovers in a ___________
of gossip and shallow speculation.
A. feeding frenzy B. second wind
C. fever pitch D. buffer zone
Key: A
feeding frenzy = a situation in which people try to get as much as possible of
something, for example information about an event, especially in an unpleasant way
12. Not getting the promotion felt like a real kick in the _________ as I’d put in so
much hard work for the company.
A. head B. teeth C. back D. leg
Key: B
If you describe the way someone treats you as a kick in the teeth, you mean that that
person treats you badly and unfairly, especially at a time when you need their
support
13. Business leaders predict a hard year ahead with the economy _________. A. on the
rocks B. on the cards C. in the black D. in the doldrums Key:
D
If an economy or business is in the doldrums, nothing new is happening and it is not
doing well
14. Even though it’s still easy to _________ digital copy protection, most users can’t do
it.
141
A. outflank B. deflect C. circumvent D. oscillate

Key: C
circumvent = to find a way of avoiding a difficulty or a rule
15. The proposal drew many negative comments as it _________ common
sense.
A. struck a hard bargain against C. B. reinvented the wheel of
threw the book at D. flew in the face of
Key: D
fly in the face of = to oppose or be the opposite of something that is usual or
expected
Word form
1. Jean will look after Harry, I'm quite sure - she's a _________ for babies. (PUSH)
2. Merchandise imports have expanded significantly faster than world trade in both
real and _________ dollar values. (NAME)
3. He suffers from Parkinson’s disease and has occasionally experienced
_________. (BLACK)
4. People say that the corpses of the sacred monks will be _________ due to their
divine power. (COMPOSE)
5. An _________ is the one who uses statistics and mathematics to study, model
and predict economic principles and outcomes. (ECONOMY)
1. PUSHOVER (n) = a person who is easy to persuade or influence 2.

NOMINAL (adj) = being something in name only, and not in reality 3.
BLACKOUTS
BLACKOUT (n) = a temporary loss of consciousness, sight or memory 4.
INDECOMPOSABLE (adj) = incapable of being decomposed
5. ECONOMETRICIAN (n) = someone who works with or studies econometrics
142
Test 68
1. Everyone in the company detests getting close to him because he’s always trying to
______ the boss.
A. suck up to B. cry out for C. pin down to D. fall over to
Key: A
suck up to = to try to please somebody in authority by praising them too much, helping
them, etc., in order to gain some advantage for yourself
2. She treats smokers like the _______, as the worst people there are.
A. scum of the earth B. bright spark
C. live wire D. nasty piece of work
Key: A
scum of the earth = the worst type of people that can be imagined
3. Being a fertile ground for film production, Los Angeles is ________ with
would-be actors.
A. bulging at the seams C. B. flying by the seat of its pants
wearing the trousers D. burning a hole in its pocket
Key: A
be bursting/bulging at the seams (with something) = be very or too full (of
something)
4. The economic and political ________ of the civil war in Ethiopia is still being felt.
A. backfire B. backtrack C. backlash D. backwash
Key: D
backwash (n) = the unpleasant result of an event
5. Her letter contained several outrageous _______ on her former colleagues. A. blots
B. slurs C. stains D. drags
Key: B
slur (n) = a remark that criticizes someone and is likely to have a harmful effect on their
reputation
6. To apply for this position, each candidate has to submit a ________ photo besides
other required documents.
A. full-bodied B. full-scale C. full-length D. full-fledged
Key: C
full-length (adj) = showing the whole of a person’s body
7. Although the task is basically a no-brainer, she’s making such a ________ weather
of it.
A. heavy B. weighty C. stormy D. rough
Key: A
143
If you say that someone is making heavy weather of a task, you are critical of them
because they are doing it in an inefficient way and are making it seem more difficult
than it really is.
8. My boss is always having a _______ at me. He always seems to find
something to criticise me for.
A. gun B. dig C. pitch D. hit
Key: B
have a dig at sb = to make a mocking, sarcastic, or insulting remark, gibe, or
criticism at someone's or something's expense
9. The starter motor was _______ again, which got on my nerves.
A. firing away B. playing up C. sounding out D. harping on
Key: B
If a machine plays up, it does not work as it should.
10. With a feeling of dark ______, I went home straight despite our plans to play
football.
A. intuition B. foreboding C. premonition D. herald
Key: B
foreboding (n) = a strong feeling that something unpleasant or dangerous is going to
happen
11. By the time the traffic jam cleared up, we were pretty _______.
A. palmed off B. fobbed off C. browned off D. nodded off
Key: B
fob off = to anger or irritate someone
12. Although he always gave the impression he was hard up, it was well known that he
had a large amount of money stashed _________ in the bank.
A. out B. back C. up D. away
Key: D
stash sth away = to hide something; to set something aside for use at a later time
13. It seems Richard did not wanted to wear that shirt so he spilled ketchup over it
__________-on-purpose.
A. accidentally B. unintentionally C. accidental D. unintentional
Key: A
If you do something accidentally on purpose, you do it intentionally but pretend it
happened by chance.
14. To save money for _______ purposes is altogether different from saving it for
economical purposes.
A. avaricious B. dolorous C. pugnacious D. ominous
Key: A
144
avaricious (adj) = showing an extremely strong wish to get or keep money or

possessions
15. I tried to _______out of the room so that nobody would see me go. A. strut
B. scamper C. slither D. slink
Key: D
slink (v) = to walk away from somewhere quietly so that you are not noticed
Word form
1. His explanation was wrapped up in so much technical _______ that I couldn't
understand it. (VERB)
2. Most big companies usually have _______ so that the CEO can contact all directors
of subsidiary companies. (CONFERENCE)
3. James was originally _______ but he decided to leave his wealthy family and then
joined Team Rocket. (BLOOD)
4. Hikaru Nara is such a good and catchy song that I get _______ every time I listen to
it. (GOOSE)
5. Oral disease, especially dental carries, is complicated and _______, and it often
begins to develop during infancy. (FACTOR)
1. VERBIAGE (n) = the use of too many words, or of more difficult words than are
needed, to express an idea
2. TELECONFERENCES
TELECONFERENCE (n) = a meeting involving people who are in different
places, but who are connected by video and computers
3. BLUE-BLOODED (adj) = someone born into a family that belongs to the
highest social class.
4. GOOSEBUMPS (n) = small raised areas that appear on the skin because of cold,
fear, or excitement
5. MULTIFACTORIAL (adj) = having, involving, or produced by a variety of
elements or causes
145
Test 69
1. A successful terminal at Stratford would inevitably and _______ encroach on the Lea
Valley regional park and reduce leisure facilities.
A. inexorably B. inextricably C. indubitably D. indomitably
Key: A
inexorably (adv) = n a way that cannot be stopped or changed
2. Until this evening, Hannah is still ________ away at her unfinished report. A.
hammering B. grinding C. whiling D. axing
Key: B
grind away = work or study hard
3. It is a major _______ or social embarrassment to arrive at a party early or even on
time.
A. idée fixe B. hoi polloi C. avant garde D. faux pas
Key: D
faux pas = an action or a remark that causes somebody to feel embarrassed because it
is not socially correct
4. A _______ headache can occur for many reasons, from temporary causes, such as a
hangover, to more severe or chronic forms of pain.
A. beating B. drumming C. hammering D. throbbing
Key: D
An injury that's throbbing with pain pounds with regular beats
5. Today, Einstein is _______ as an intellectual colossus who bestrode the 20th century
like no other.
A. enchanted B. venerated C. armored D. enamored
Key: B
venerate = to have and show a lot of respect for somebody/something,
especially somebody/something that is considered to be holy or very important 6.
Financial aid is being provided to the country _______ of the World Bank.
A. under the auspices C. B. by the book
on the blink D. at the hands
Key: A
under the auspices = with the help and support of (someone or something)
7. Whether there’s truth in it or not, I can’t stand that _______ “follow your heart”. A. old
chestnut B. old soak C. old wives’ tale D. old money
Key: A
old chestnut = an old joke or story that has been told so many times that it is no longer
funny or interesting
8. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but I accidentally heard this odd _________ of
conversation on the bus.
A. buzz B. hum C. snippet D. snatch
146
Key: D
snatch (n) = a very small part of a conversation or some music that you hear 9.
Because of the children involved, they want to resolve the court case as quickly and
________ as possible.
B. grudgingly B. discerningly C. discreetly D. judiciously
Key: C
discreetly (adv) = in a careful way, in order to keep something secret or to avoid causing
difficulty for somebody or making them feel embarrassed
10. The new movie’s plot has more holes than _________ cheese. A.
Greek B. Italian C. Swiss D. French
Key: C
If something has more holes than a Swiss cheese, it is incomplete, and lacks many
parts.
11. The government has been _______ this issue for years, but the time has finally
come for us to do something about it!
A. pertaining to B. touching on C. delving into D. slurring over
Key: D
slur over = to discuss, treat, approach, or deal with something in a very
superficial, careless, or evasive manner
12. Can you believe what they're making us do at work now? What a(n)
_______.
A. apple of discord B. can of worms
C. load of cobblers D. spot of bother
Key: C
a load of (old) cobblers = a bunch of nonsense
13. It’s natural for students to worry about whether they will ________ or not at a new
school.
A. measure up B. sprout up C. show up D. dig up
Key: A
measure up = to be as good, successful, etc. as expected or needed
14. Except for pasting the occasional coconut tree with small advertisements for
acupuncture, the hippies have done little to _______ this beautiful spot.
A. disfigure B. mutilate C. deface D. amputate
Key: A
disfigure = to damage the appearance of a person, thing or place
15. For many young people, driving cars at high speed seems to ________ a rather
fatal fascination.
A. reserve B. wield C. weave D. hold
Key: D
hold a fascination (collo)
147
Word form
1. Once the news of the assassination of their beloved leader reached the public,
________ broke out in streets throughout the country. (DEMON)
2. It was a ________ moment for Kousei when he realized he wouldn’t have been
able to go on but for his friend’s sincere encouragement (LIGHT)
3. Practise good personal protection against mosquito bites to prevent
________ infections. (MOSQUITO)
4. Many new immigrants have not yet ________ fully into the new culture.
(SIMILAR)
5. The externalist approach focuses on the way a belief is produced in order to assess its
epistemic ________. (CREDIT)
1. PANDEMONIUM (n) = a chaotic situation 2.

LIGHT-BULB (n)
LIGHT-BULB MOMENT = a moment of sudden realization, enlightenment, or
inspiration
3. MOSQUITO-BORNE (adj)
MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES = diseases spread by the bite of an infected
mosquito
4. ASSIMILATED
ASSIMILATE (v) = to become, or cause somebody to become, a part of a country
or community rather than remaining in a separate group
5. CREDENTIALS
CREDENTIAL (n) = a qualification, achievement, personal quality, or aspect of a
person's background, typically when used to indicate that they are suitable for
something
148
Test 70
1. The road is packed with vehicles! That’s _______ at rush hour.
A. a going concern B. a hue and cry C. part and parcel D. par for the course Key: D
If a type of behaviour, event, or situation is par for the course, it is not good but it is
normal or as you would expect.
2. Haiti's first elected president was _______ in a violent military coup . A.
disbarred B. supplanted C. deposed D. subverted
Key: C
depose = to remove someone important from a powerful position
3. You will have to learn to face up to a few _______, my boy, before it’s too late.
A. home truths B. odd jobs C. second thoughts D. kid gloves
Key: A
home truths = a true but unpleasant fact about yourself that another person tells you
4. As soon as he read the letter, tears ________ in his eyes.
A. soaked up B. welled up C. filled up D. tanked up
Key: B
well up = to gush or pour up and away from something
5. Incoherence, or word ________, refers to speech that is unconnected and conveys
no meaning to the listener.
A. salad B. blend C. roll D. soup
Key: A
word salad = a mixture of words or phrases that is confused and difficult to
understand
6. The case alleges that the company _______ female employees on
opportunities for promotion.
A. short-dated B. short-changed C. short-circuited D. short-handed Key:
B
short-change (v) = to treat someone unfairly by giving them less than they deserve
7. Poor Mary, all her colleagues teased her; she was the _______ of all their jokes.
A. hubbub B. butt C. bulk D. brunt
Key: B
be the butt of sth = to be the person or thing that other people often make jokes about
8. The city has _______ on the storage building permit, arguing that may not be
permissible under updated zoning requirements.
149
A. derided B. taunted C. faltered D. reneged

Key: D
renege (v) to break a promise, an agreement, etc
9. Aircraft production continued to _______ at an agonizingly slow pace. A.
bubble over B. bristle at C. plod along D. fawn over
Key: C
plod along = to make very slow progress, especially with difficult or boring work 10.
Kim put my name down for a sponsored parachute jump but I _______ at
the last moment. A.
beavered away C. B. weaseled out
chickened out D. clammed up
Key: C
chicken out (of sth) = to decide not to do something because you are afraid 11. After
winning the lottery, they moved into a more _______ house in a high-class residential
area and had a more comfortable life.
A. well-attended B. well-built C. well-appointed D. well-disposed
Key: C
well-appointed (adj) = having a good supply of comfortable or necessary
furniture and attractive decorations
12. Thousands of people came out onto the streets to _______ their support for the
democratic opposition party.
A. adduce B. attest C. elicit D. accost
Key: B
attest (v) = to provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude,
or external attributes
13. The Prime Minister exercised his _______ to decide when to call an
election.
A. licence B. autocracy C. prerogative D. dispensation
Key: C
prerogative (n) = a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group
(especially a hereditary or official right).
14. Protein and B2 in soybean help to metabolize amino acids, which _______ the skin.
A. rejuvenate B. recuperate C. overhaul D. reinvigorate
Key: A
rejuvenate (v) = to make somebody/something look or feel younger, more lively or more
modern
15. Never _______ feelings your friend or relative expresses, but point out realities
and offer hope.
A. dispel B. disparage C. dissipate D. dispatch
150
Key: B
disparage (v) = to suggest that somebody/something is not important or
valuable
Word form
1. We need to _______ the problem before we can understand its origin.
(CONTEXT)
2. The secretary of state for Northern Ireland appeared on television to read a special
_______ for detention without trial. (APOLOGIZE)
3. _______ organizational structures refer to companies with too many
managers, which mean too many presidents, vice presidents and other mid-level
managers between the president and the junior worker. (HEAVY)
4. The ambassador was typically _______ when asked whether further
sanctions would be introduced. (COMMIT)
5. No wonder then that data _______ – literally defined as the process of
increasing the economic value of data – is becoming such an important and growing
area for all businesses. (MONEY)
1. CONTEXTUALIZE (v) = to consider something in relation to the situation in

which it happens or exists
2. APOLOGIA (n) = a formal written defence of your own or somebody else’s
actions or opinions
3. TOP-HEAVY (adj) = having too many senior staff compared to the number of
workers
4. NONCOMMITTAL (adj) = not giving an opinion; not showing which side of an
argument you agree with
5. MONETIZATION (n) = the act or process of earning money from something,
especially a business or an asset (= something that a business owns)
151

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KEY AND EXPLANATION

scarf down = to eat something very quickly

1 STAKEOUT (n) = a situation in which police watch a building secretly to find

7. Temporarily, the number of COVID-19 cases has ceased to increase, but I

A drank in B gobbled up C harped on D copped out

1 GUNSMITH (n) = a person who makes and repairs guns

1 UNSPORTING (adj) = not fair or generous in your behaviour or treatment of others,

A buck up B sift out C blaze up D air out

7. The graduates of this medical school are considered to be _____ in

1 MISSHAPEN (adj) = with a shape that is not normal or natural 2

A premise B inception C surmise D conjecture

1 DOUBLE-CHECK (v) = to check sth again/twice

7. I don’t know what’s so interesting that my daughter always listens to this

A flares B splays C rants D raves

hang (v) = to bend or let something bend downwards hang

1 OUTWORN (adj) = old-fashioned and no longer useful 2

1 INFORM (v) = to have an influence on sth

1 EYE-CATCHING (adj) = (of a thing) immediately likely to attract attention

convoluted (adj) = convoluted sentences, explanations, arguments, etc. are

hail from = to come from or have been born in a particular place

A nipped off B pared down C branched off D wrapped up

1 FLAT-FOOTED (adj) = not prepared for what is going to happen 2

cogitate (v) = to think carefully and seriously about something

1 AWARD-WINNING (adj) = having won a prize

A twisted her arm C B broke her back

1 LIFELIKE (adj) = exactly like a real person or thing

A oddly B boldly C briskly D earthly

1 TANTAMOUNT (adj) = having the same bad effect as something else

A ploughed on B sit through C stuck on D mulled over

1 LONGWAYS/LENGTHWISE/LENGTHWAYS (adv) = in the direction of the

dispense (v) = to provide something, especially a service, for people

imminent (adj) = (especially of something unpleasant) likely to happen very soon

1 DOWNCAST (adj) = (of a person or an expression) sad or depressed

1. LAME-DUCK (n) = one that is weak or that falls behind in ability or

8. We are a luxury restaurant and if people have a bad experience, we have to

A. outflank B. deflect C. circumvent D. oscillate

1. PUSHOVER (n) = a person who is easy to persuade or influence 2.

avaricious (adj) = showing an extremely strong wish to get or keep money or

1. PANDEMONIUM (n) = a chaotic situation 2.

A. derided B. taunted C. faltered D. reneged

1. CONTEXTUALIZE (v) = to consider something in relation to the situation in

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