Directions (1-10): In each of the questions given below a/an idiom/phrase is given in bold which is then followed by five options that tries to interpret its meaning as used in the sentence. Choose the option which can replace the given phrase without inducing any contextual or grammatical error.
Q1. When the company’s rival released a new product, they pulled out all the stops to stay ahead in the game.
(a) they didn’t make any effort
(b) they tried their best to outperform their rival
(c) they ignored their rival’s new product
(d) they imitated their rival’s new product
(e) None of these.
Q2. After facing numerous challenges, the team finally hit the nail on the head and delivered the project on time.
(a) the team failed to complete the project on time
(b) the team completed the project on time but with errors
(c) the team completed the project successfully and on time
(d) the team completed the project early
(e) None of these.
Q3. The company’s new CEO has a chip on his shoulder and wants to prove his worth to the board.
(a) the CEO lacks confidence
(b) the CEO is overconfident
(c) the CEO is overjoyed with the board
(d) the CEO is trying to prove his abilities to the board
(e) None of these.
Q4. The employees were on pins and needles waiting for the result of the promotion announcement.
(a) the employees were relaxed and unconcerned
(b) the employees were anxious and tense
(c) the employees were excited and jubilant
(d) the employees were uninterested in the promotion
(e) None of these.
Q5. The team decided to pull the plug on the project after realizing it was not feasible.
(a) the team decided to continue the project
(b) the team decided to delay the project
(c) the team decided to terminate the project
(d) the team decided to reduce the scope of the project
(e) None of these.
Q6. The new restaurant in town is all the rage these days.
(a) the restaurant is unpopular
(b) the restaurant is overpriced
(c) the restaurant is very popular
(d) the restaurant has poor quality food
(e) None of these.
Q7. After losing the first few games, the team finally found their feet and started playing well.
(a) the team continued to lose every game
(b) the team became demotivated and stopped playing
(c) the team found their confidence and started playing well
(d) the team had a new coach who improved their performance
(e) None of these.
Q8. The team was walking on eggshells around their new manager, afraid to make any mistakes.
(a) the team was afraid of their new manager and being overly cautious
(b) the team was happy to have a new manager
(c) the team was careless and made many mistakes
(d) the team was uncomfortable around their new manager but still made mistakes
(e) None of these.
Q9. The manager gave his team the green light to proceed with the project.
(a) the manager stopped the project
(b) the manager asked the team to wait
(c) the manager asked the team to cancel the project
(d) the manager approved the project to proceed
(e) None of these.
Q10. The employee decided to throw in the towel after facing numerous challenges in his job.
(a) the employee decided to take a break
(b) the employee decided to quit his job
(c) the employee decided to take on more challenges
(d) the employee decided to ignore the challenges
(e) None of these.
Solutions
S1. Ans. (b)
Sol. The idiom “pull out all the stops” means to make every possible effort to achieve something. Therefore, the option that can replace this phrase without inducing any contextual or grammatical error is “they tried their best to outperform their rival.” Option (a) is incorrect as it conveys the opposite meaning of the idiom, and options (c) and (d) are irrelevant.
S2. Ans. (c)
Sol. The idiom “hit the nail on the head” means to do something exactly right or to find the exact solution to a problem. Therefore, the option that can replace this phrase without inducing any contextual or grammatical error is “the team completed the project successfully and on time.” Option (a), (b), and (d) are incorrect as they convey different meanings than the idiom.
S3. Ans. (d)
Sol. The idiom “has a chip on his shoulder” means to have an attitude of being angry or defensive because of a perceived insult or injustice, and in this context, the CEO feels the need to prove himself to the board. Therefore, the option that can replace this phrase without inducing any contextual or grammatical error is “the CEO is trying to prove his abilities to the board”. Option (a) is the opposite of the idiom’s meaning, option (b) does not capture the full meaning of the idiom, and option (c) is unrelated.
S4. Ans. (b)
Sol. The idiom “on pins and needles” means to be anxious or nervous while waiting for something important to happen. Therefore, the option that can replace this phrase without inducing any contextual or grammatical error is “the employees were anxious and tense”. Option (a) is the opposite of the idiom’s meaning, option (c) and (d) are irrelevant.
S5. Ans. (c)
Sol. The idiom “pull the plug” means to put an end to something, especially something that has been happening for a long time or is no longer useful or possible. Therefore, the option that can replace this phrase without inducing any contextual or grammatical error is “the team decided to terminate the project”. Option (a) and (d) are opposite to the idiom’s meaning, option (b) implies a temporary halt instead of a permanent termination.
S6. Ans. (c)
Sol. The idiom “all the rage” means something that is currently very popular or fashionable. Therefore, the option that can replace this phrase without inducing any contextual or grammatical error is “the restaurant is very popular.” Option (a), (b), and (d) are incorrect as they convey different meanings than the idiom.
S7. Ans. (c)
Sol. The idiom “found their feet” means to become comfortable and confident in a new situation. Therefore, the option that can replace this phrase without inducing any contextual or grammatical error is “the team found their confidence and started playing well.” Option (a) and (b) convey different meanings than the idiom, while option (d) introduces new information not present in the original sentence.
S8. Ans. (a)
Sol. The idiom “walking on eggshells” means to be very cautious and nervous because you do not want to upset someone or do something wrong. Therefore, the option that can replace this phrase without inducing any contextual or grammatical error is “the team was afraid of their new manager and being overly cautious.” Option (b) and (c) are incorrect as they convey different meanings than the idiom. Option (d) is partially correct, but it does not capture the full meaning of the idiom.
S9. Ans. (d)
Sol. The idiom “give someone the green light” means to give someone permission to do something. Therefore, the option that can replace this phrase without inducing any contextual or grammatical error is “the manager approved the project to proceed.” Option (a) and (d) are incorrect as they convey opposite meanings to the idiom. Option (b) is incorrect as it implies a delay, which is not stated in the original sentence.
S10. Ans. (b)
Sol. The idiom “throw in the towel” means to give up or quit something, especially after a long and difficult struggle. Therefore, the option that can replace this phrase without inducing any contextual or grammatical error is “the employee decided to quit his job.” Option (a), (c), and (d) are incorrect as they convey different meanings than the idiom.
English Language Quiz For Bank Foundatio...
English Language Quiz For Bank Mains Exa...
