VOCABULARY 2

I. Choose A, B, C or D that best fits each blank in the sentences

PART 1
1. As he has grown up. his parents no longer have much ______ over him like when he was a child.
A. scurry B. distress C. sway D. coaxing
2. She is a big fan of Taylor Swift so whenever asked, she can always ______ a long list of her songs.
A. fob off B. duck on C. reel off D. round on
3. The police were corrupt and were operating in ______ with the drug dealers.
A. collusion B. tandem C. agreement D. intricacy
4. Despite being the youngest ever Footballer of the Year, Nwabueze is continuing his university course as he is aware of the
______ nature of sporting success.
A. transitive B. transitional C. transcendent D. transitory
5. The worker on the ladder looks as if he is ready to ______ from exhaustion.
A. keel over B. rattle off C. level off D. croon over
6. She was prepared to take the ______ for the shoplifting, though it had been her sister's idea.
A. seat B. rap C. gush D. bash
7. Her dishonest behavior during the final exam came under severe ______.
A. censure B. admonition C. precept D. vindication
8. The team sank to fourth place in June, but is now ______ and about to win the division.
A. arduous B. sullen C. resurgent D. leery
9. You have only overcome the first ______ by passing the entrance test, there is still a long way ahead.
A. hurdle B. threshold C. barricade D. snuggle
10. I tried to be friendly but maybe it was because of my family background, the rich girl ______ me completely.
A. snubbed B. snatched C. snapped D. snagged
11. If you do not let him do things for himself, you are ______ bad habits that will be hard to break in the future.
A. construing B. perpetuating C. expunging D. enacting
12. Our host was friendly, actually so friendly that we felt a bit uncomfortable at first because of her ______ welcome.
A. effusive B. delirious C. aflame D. effulgent
13. The whole country had tried to ______ the memory of imperialist figures by removing many statues in public places.
A. deface B. perforate C. efface D. disfigure
14. Sex is probably the most popular pastime in the history of life on Earth — which makes it all the more ridiculous that so
many of us have such a ______ way of talking about it.
A. tight-fisted B. mealy-mouthed C. thick-skinned D. light-fingered
15. The main sponsor of the event did not ______ to all the details of the plan so we have to adjust some points of it.
A. evince B. demur C. concede D. accede
16. We are proud to be the country to ______ the trail in laser surgery and hope this technology will soon become widely
applied in treatment.
A. hit B. break C. blaze D. gaze
17. The wide ______ between rich and poor was highlighted in his novel about a neighbour in the 20th century.
A. divergence B. disparity C. disparagement D. deviation
18. While the other teams actively ______ the championship, this team seems content simply to go through the motions of
playing.
A. ace for B. bode for C. vie for D. strike for
19. People are more ______ when they are young so the environment in which children live will greatly influence their
personality.
A. malleable B. permeable C. ductile D. facile
20. Having not travelled anywhere before, Ellis was in ______ about her first visit to Paris.
A. gaiety B. delirium C. exaltation D. raptures
21. The tickets for the concert were ______ within three hours of going on sale.
A. wrapped up B. snapped up C. clocked up D. seized up
22. While some ________ of endearment have remained popular, others like "tomato" or "lambkin" have fallen out of style.
A. terms B. captions C. titles D. phrases
23. Johnny was so nervous at his new school that when he introduced himself, he ______ the first few words before he could
speak smoothly again.
A. stammered B. mumbled C. giggled D. muttered
24. Annie has always worn her heart on her ______ so it is not difficult to guess whom she has a crush on.
A. collar B. face C. hat D. sleeve
25. I need to meet with Jim before the negotiations to make sure that we will be on the same ______ when we meet with the
other company.
A line B boat C page D stage
26. The secret birthday party plan was about to be spoiled had Mary not ______ in time.
A. jacked in B. clammed up C. eked out D. slacked off
27. In a ______ you can use margarine, but it is better to use unsalted butter.
A. seed B. drip C. drop D. pinch
28. After working a whole day in the summer heat, I would give my right ______ for a cold drink right now.
A. mind B. ear C. arm D. hand
29. By detecting facial movements, the robot is able to ______ important mood information from factors such as speech
pattern, skin moisture, and body language.
A. glean B. rankle C. reap D. spurn
30. There may be a ______ of truth in what these kids say even though they are just primary students.
A. pinch B. kernel C. speck D. crux
31. That the boy’s idleness ______ ill for his future is obvious to everyone apart from his parents.
A. bodes B. heralds C. causes D. bears
32. The American runner came within ______ distance of winning the cup but the Chinese competitor suddenly surpassed
him at the last minute.
A. adjoining B. spitting C. abutting D. neighbouring
33. I asked for an explanation and all I got was your ridiculous ______ story.
A. beef-and-bacon B. donkey-and-monkey C. cock-and-bull D. duck-and-frog
34. Some people say the company took them to the ______ by charging double for some services.
A. thrashers B. trashes C. breadline D. cleaner’s
35. He was ______ until someone criticised his mother, then he got extremely upset.
A. placid B. miffed C. unorthodox D. dejected
36. I am not confident about my essay so I really want to know the professor’s ______ on it.
A. take B. look C. brook D. catch
37. There was a(n) ______ of scientific publication in the period 1645-1660 with thousands of researches and experiments
conducted.
A. acquiescence B. efflorescence C. effervescence D. convalescence
38. The weather in Con Dao during this month is very ______ so we had better bring both raincoats and sunscreen along.
A. fluctuating B. capricious C. wavering D. whimsical
39. Andy’s dog can always ______ the bullies in no time so he is now no longer afraid of them anymore.
A. cast off B. wave off C. scrape off D. see off
40. I don't have my phone here to call so I will just come to the library ______ hoping that I can meet Mr. Khoi.
A. on spec B. on peg C. in rags D. at ranch
41. Checking the data is the task nobody wants to be ______, not only because it is boring but it is also perplexing.
A. fiddled with B. regaled with C. parted with D. saddled with
42. The crew is ______ its duty to protect the safety of its passengers by not providing them with fife jackets.
A. rescinding B. abrogating C. revoking D. repealing
43. It is unwise to believe everything written on the news, some might be misleading, some might even be downright _____.
A. obnoxious B. whimsical C. mendacious D. bewildering
44. Diplomats are trying to ______ the tense situation between the two nations recently.
A. defuse B. defy C. distress D. descend
45. ______ including stones and bottles were thrown at the police during the protest.
A. Missiles B. Cartridges C. Cartouches D. Partridges
46. I was really saved by the ______ when the teacher moved the math test to next week
A. horn B. bell C. stone D. teeth
47. Jody is 50 years old and still not married. I think she is destined to be an old ______.
A. nun B. maid C. monk D. crow
48. The minister is speaking with a ______ tongue, promising support he will never deliver.
A. sharp B. forked C. fake D. rosy
49. The creative and intelligent boy came up with a solution entirely off his own _____ instead of relying on the teacher’s hint.
A. bulb B. bat C. bag D. beat
50. That his father died in the car accident really hit the eight-year-old boy for ______.
A. half B. nine C. six D. twice
51. The saucepan fell onto the floor with a great ______.
A. clatter B. clunk C. clink D. crackle
52. How about a night in a charming ______ windmill on the island of Milos, watching the sunset over the sea. with a glass of
retsina in hand and a plate of olives on the table?
A. preserved B. customized C. dilapidated D. converted
53. Relying heavily on farming, people in this village ______ their vegetable gardens very carefully.
A. attend B. tend C. maintain D. tender
54. Charles Babbage's "difference engine" is widely regarded as the ______ of modern computers.
A. precursor B. outrider C. precedent D. harbinger
55. As the sky darkened it soon became obvious that a violent storm was ______.
A. eminent B. impending C. offing D. impenitent
56. The girl with end-stage heart failure underwent a heart transplant in a ______ attempt to save her.
A. last-gasp B. last-ditch C. last-minute D. last-breath
57. The school shall erect regulations to implement gender equity education, and ______ them.
A. promulgate B. incite C. heed D. irrigate
58. I never dare to ____ my duty even for once since I worked here due to the strict staff appraisal criteria of the company.
A. duke B. whirl C. reel D. shirk
59. The school authorities thought that taking a ______ on undisciplined students will make them more obedient, but this
actually backfired in the end.
A. high hand B. hard line C. harsh heart D. tough grip
60. Although the project ______ difficulties, everyone believes that their team will eventually manage to succeed.
A. bristles with B. trifles with C. cripples with D. grapples with
61. We will be up the creek without ______ if we lose those files, so we should back them up regularly.
A. an anchor B. a paddle C. a sailor D. a rope
62. We could talk about this problem until the ______ come home, but it wouldn't solve anything.
A. cows B. pigs C. sheep D. crows
63. I know ten dollars is just a drop in the ______ but if everyone gives that much, it will make a big difference.
A. box B. jar C. kettle D. bucket
64. About 20 percent of the country's population is______ with the drought while the government sends no help.
A. afflicted B. affected C. inflicted D. inflected
65. The discovery will help the scientists to ______ the mystery of how the Chinese built this structure.
A. dissolve B. interrogate C. dismantle D. unravel
66. Hundreds of scientists have tried in a(n) ______ hope to realise the absurd dream of reviving the dead.
A. forlorn B. gripping C. far-fetched D. imminent
67. Living in a countryside tends to ______ us from the rush and pressure of the modem world.
A. insulate B. safeguard C. refrain D. upkeep
68. I ran into an unknown in the Lexico-Grammar exercise, but I didn't try and ______ the gap.
A. held over B. hung out C. pressed on D. stuck at
69. The accused ______ guilty to all charges and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
A. confessed B. pleaded C. admitted D. pledged
70. Given her domineering personality, I would understand if you wanted to ______ of this relationship.
A. bail out B. conk out C. draw out D. air out
71. The sound of the waves ______ on the shore lulled the little girl to sleep after a tired day.
A. surging B. thundering C. clapping D. breaking
72. The nature of fame is ______ you may be sought after when you are still young but will soon be forgotten when old age
comes.
A. eminent B. transient C. alluring D. wavering
73. Staying inside for weeks during the lockout has driven many people around the ______.
A. bend B. curve C. edge D. dump
74. I can’t understand how they were ______ into believing that they had won a lot of money.
A. hoodwinked B. alluded C. misled D. perjured
75. I attended a ______ sale the other night and saw people queuing up to buy old clothes in order to clothe their children.
A. jumble B. stultifying C. nimble D. jumbo
76. After a year living apart from each other, the whole team gathered and had a ______ at Emy’s party.
A. barrel of fun B. bucket of jollies C. jar of joy D. box of cheers
77. When your kids start ______ your authority, try to be calm and remember that teenage rebellion is a part of human
development.
A. spurning about B. kicking against C. grousing against D. shunting out
78. Cooperation is what young people often associate with society but when it comes to reality, this is a ______ world.
A. fish-eat-fish B. dog-eat-dog C. rat-eat-rat D. snake-eat-snake
79. The cultural life of the country will sink into ______ unless more writers and artists emerge.
A. atrophy B. astuteness C. austerity D. emaciation
80. By prioritizing profit over quality, the millionaire showed growing ______ over time, which eventually procured in the
downfall of his company in the late 1980s.
A. caprice B. indoctrination C. avarice D. ratification
81. I wish you’d stop ______ with that watch. It needs to be repaired by a professional.
A. tinkering B. dabbling C. monkeying D. trifling
82. It was wrong of you to __________ the girl's affections so you don’t have the right to ask for her forgiveness.
A. hive off B. trifle with C. fawn over D. crow about
83. Accepting another task will only ______ the pressure on the whole team rather than bring them any benefits.
A. plow up B. pile up C. ball up D. dial up
84. The young mother was ______ with grief after her first son’s death from a serious eye infection due to her lapse of
attention.
A. prostrate B. supine C. apoplectic D. berserk
85. Young people often go through a phase of ______ under parental control, which requires great tolerance and attention
from adults.
A. chafing B. riling C. enraging D. galling
86. The firefighters made ______ efforts to save the children, but were beaten back by the flames.
A. spineless B. petrified C. valiant D. gobsmacked
87. She worked her ______ to the bone to provide a home and food for seven children.
A. back B. fingers C. hands D. head
88. He keeps trying to get it published while everyone thinks he is flogging a dead ______.
A. duck B. bull C. horse D. mule
89. When Roger’s wife divorced him, he made ______ out of lemons and started dating again.
A. lemonade B. orangeade C. jam D. honey
90. The band really hit pay ______ with their latest album after years struggling to find fame in showbiz.
A. check B. dirt C. mine D. bucks
91. People nowadays try to ______ some sense of spirituality in order to give their lives meaning.
A. chalk up B. latch onto C. churn out D. leaf through
92. We should have taken more care when booking our accommodation: we did it ______ and it wasn’t very good.
A. on the go B. on the run C. on the fly D. on the firing line
93. Demand for the new model is ______ supply, so the factory needs to boost production.
A. outdoing B. outrunning C. outgrowing D. outnumbering
94. As well as criticizing the omissions in the sample studied, local scientists ______ some of the health evidence.
A. gave credit to B. took issue with C. paid tribute to D. made amends for
95. The safety precautions taken by large resort hotels are often ______ inadequate for the number of people who stay
there.
A. acutely B. woefully C. sorely D. distressingly
96. Tom ______ in disbelief at the winning lottery ticket in his hand.
A. smirked B. flinched C. gaped D. squirmed
97. ______ people who thrive in social situations are seen as extroverts while introverts are considered socially inhibited.
A. Gregarious B. Amiable C. Repulsive D. Despicable
98. He is a ______ craftsman: every detail is perfect in every piece of jewelry he makes.
A. sentimental B. pessimistic C. tolerant D. meticulous
99. My toddler is as stubborn as a ______ and he'll throw a tantrum any time he doesn't get what he wants.
A. rock B. mule C. horse D. bras
100. It was a real ______ from the past to see all my old high-school friends and talk about the old times.
A. bash B. blast C. burst D. dash
PART 2
1. She is ______ again! Every time I open Facebook she has a new post telling us why her life is miserable, she is always
looking for sympathy!
A. sadhunting B. sadfishing C. sadtrawling D. sadseeking
2. He was drunk that night, so he decided to spend the night at his friend’s house and ______ early the following morning.
A. hit home B. hit the road C. hit below the belt D. hit the hay
3. Visitors can ______ an impressive range of exhibits during the event.
A. take off B. take up C. take in D. take on
4. The run-down areas in the city have ______ thanks to the new infrastructure.
A. come up in the world B. made a world of difference C. done the world of good D. had the world at their feet
5. The government has ordered a public ______ to determine the reasons for the unrest.
A. enquiry B. investigation C. research D. survey
6. The draconian Special Powers Act was never ______ despite the election promises.
A. abolished B. repealed C. annulled D. nullified
7. Samantha likes the sound of her own voice so much that you just can’t__________. .
A. get a word in edgeways B. get a kick out of it C. get a grip on herself D. get into her stride
8. His plans went up in ______ when the bank manager refused him a loan.
A. smoke B. smog C. storm D. clouds
9. The accident was my fault so I am prepared to ______.
A. throw in the towel B. jump the gun C. play it safe D. face the music
10. We were looking forward to a pay rise when the boss ______ a bombshell and said we were fired.
A. threw B. dropped C. slumped D. plunged
11. The newspaper got hold of the story and blew it up out of all ______.
A. scale B. range C. proportion D. dimension
12. I was enjoying a lazy Sunday so my spirits ______ when I saw Aunt Agnes heading up the path.
A. shrivelled B. plummeted C. declined D. dwindled
13. I know I have to ______ with the times, but I don’t like using a computer.
A. play B. stretch C. swell D. move
14. Jimmy’s mother ______ with pride when he went up to collect his medal.
A. stretched B. swelled C. bulged D. blew
15. He got back on his ______ very quickly after the accident.
A. toes B. feet C. nails D. fingers
16. The flaws in the diamond are too small to be seen without a ______ glass.
A. stretching B. swelling C. magnifying D. inflating
17. Skiing is difficult to begin with but fun once you ______ of it.
A. get the gist B. get to the bottom C. get the knack D. get the feeling
18. I wish Edward would conform a bit. He seems to be constantly ______ with everyone else.
A. out of step B. out of hand C. beside himself D. beside the point
19. He must have been hungry: he ______ that burger in record time and ordered another.
A. whipped up B. tucked in C. chopped up D. bolted down
20. We were just ______ in the sitting area and somehow the window got broken.
A. beetling about B. haring off C. horsing around D. wolfing down
21. Because of a serious crash on the motorway, traffic ______ for two hours.
A. came to a dead end B. came to the boil C. came to a standstill D. came to the crunch
22. My brother can be unreliable at times but when it ______ I know I can depend on him to help me.
A. comes to a dead end B. comes to the boil C. comes to a standstill D. comes to the crunch
23. I don’t know who stole my money, but ______ I’ll find out.
A. by any chance B. by all means C. by hook or by crook D. by trial and error
24. I’ve cleaned your office, Mr Jones, but I didn’t ______ anything on your desk.
A. annoy B. confuse C. disturb D. bother
25. If you don’t pull your ______ up next term, you will have to repeat the year.
A. hat B. boot C. belt D. socks
26. I think it will be OK once we ______ out the difficulties.
A. wash B. iron C. wipe D. boil
27. Dad went for a check-up at the hospital and was given a clean ______ of health.
A. chance B. bill C. account D. sheet
28. Attention ______ is the amount of time spent concentrating on a task before becoming distracted.
A. scope B. span C. limit D. stretch
29. I would take what he says ______ if I were you.
A. off the cuff B. with a pinch of salt C. out of luck D. down the drain
30. The ______ of society was at their wedding, including top film stars and journalists.
A. bean B. grape C. salt D. cream
31. I expect everyone who works here to ______ and comply with the rules.
A. toe the line B. get a grip on themselves C. cap it all D. tighten their belt
32. I'm not sure what is causing the problem, but I'm determined to ______ of it.
A. get the gist B. get to the bottom C. get the knack D. get the feeling
33. They've only just met - isn't it ______ to be talking about marriage already?
A. throwing in the towel B. jumping the gun C. playing it safe D. facing the music.
34. The area has been smartened ______ by the arrival of yuppy residents.
A. out B. off C. over D. up
35. When Sue has had a row with someone, she works it ______ by going for a long walk.
A. out B. up C. away D. off
36. Heavy rain will cover most of the UK next week with ______ cold and strong gales set to make a miserable end to the
month.
A. biting B. squeezing C. cutting D. scathing
37. I’m afraid that Tim doesn’t take much care over his homework. He usually does it ______.
A. any old how B. any how C. how on earth D. how come
38. Don’t ______ in judgment on my driving when yours is worse.
A. put B. plead C. sit D. take
39. I just think he ought to ______, he's behaving like a child.
A. toe the line B. get a grip on himself C. cap it all D. tighten his belt
40. We went through hell and high ______ to get these theatre tickets and now she says she doesn’t want to go.
A. storms B. heaven C. mountains D. water
41. We were prepared to move heaven and ______ to ban a new airport here.
A. cosmos B. sphere C. earth D. planet
42. It was the end of the ______ for Tommy when the boss saw him at the races during working hours.
A. edge B. rim C. lane D. line
43. He seemed to ______ after his wife’s death. He completely lost control of his life.
A. take a back seat B. take a wrong turning C. go off the rails D. run out of steam
44. It didn’t seem amusing at the time, but we had a ______ laugh about it afterwards.
A. loud B. good C. big D. sound
45. If you always let children have their ______, they’ll become spoilt.
A. course B. way C. shot D. path
46. The city is worth visiting - it has a lot ______ for it - attractive landscape, delicious food, and low cost of living.
A. going B. making C. fleeing D. flying
47. I went to the exhibition, but there was nothing much to ______ of there.
A. talk B. speak C. tell D. say
48. If I can ______ this weekend, I’ll bring you those plans.
A. bide my time B. play for time C. make time D. kill time
49. She can’t leave the house because of her broken leg, so I’m sure time ______ very slowly for her.
A. moves B. drags C. flies D. runs
50. He gave speeches all over the world to ______ support for his “Help the Homeless” Campaign.
A. trot out B. turn to C. weigh up D. whip up
51. In ______ with an international treaty, whale hunting in these areas has been banned.
A. common B. connection C. conjunction D. line
52. Everybody noticed my absence because you ______ their attention to it.
A. gave B. brought C. paid D. called
53. Discussions on the issue of expansion of the company have been in ______ since the outbreak of the disease in the
area.
A. hitch B. limbo C. feud D. core
54. Viewers were ______ at the incredible sight of the lunar landscape, unable to take their eyes off the screen until the very
end of the broadcast.
A. switched B. devised C. transfixed D. stifled
55. Having lost her mother at an early age, Mary felt she had become a mere ______ having to do absolutely everything for
her six brothers and sisters.
A. taskmaster B. workmate C. slavedriver D. workhorse
56. My car broke down and I had to ______ a huge sum of money to have it towed and serviced.
A. splash out B. fork out C. put aside D. pay off
57. The candidate’s optimism gave ______ to doubt as the result of exit polls became known.
A. place B. lie C. vent D. voice
58. As much as the candidate tried to convince people of his honesty, he could not shake off his ______ past.
A. serene B. tranquil C. shady D. frigid
59. The local authorities annually______ between £50 million and £100 million on art projects.
A. disperse B. disband C. disburse D. dispose
60. Most people are ______ to believe that girls and boys play certain toys when they are young.
A. hardened B. acclimated C. conditioned D. accustomed
61. They offered to buy her a BMW but she's holding ______ a Porsche.
A. out for B. out on C. back with D. up with
62. All the inhabitants in the area have been asked to ______ at home if the storm returns.
A. settle B. dwell C. remain D. occupy
63. His jokes set the whole class ______ laughing.
A. off B. out C. up D. about
64. Anyone who lies under oath will be charged with ______ the course of justice.
A. perverting B. inverting C. converting D. diverting
65. Marlene is quite ______ - I don't know she manages to fit everything in.
A. inexhaustible B. tiresome C. inexorable D. indefatigable
66. James never really broke the rules but he did ______ them a little bit when it suited him.
A. twist B. curve C. move D. bend
67. I went to see the boss about a pay rise and he______ with a weak excuse about a business dinner and left me standing
there.
A. brushed me aside B. brushed me up C. brushed me off D. brushed me down
68. The government is using the taxes from the working class to bail out the banks that ruined the economy? That really
______!
A. sows wild oats B. spills the beans C takes the biscuit D upsets the apple cart
69. This conservative megachurch, just outside San Diego, is a ______ of activity on a Sunday morning.
A. mess B. home C. seat D. hive
70. Mr Jones is ______, unfortunately, so you’ll have to call again tomorrow.
A. indifferent B. inimitable C. indisposed D. incongruous
71. He tried to be as ______ as possible, but his garish attire made it difficult.
A. accessible B. amenable C. incessant D. inconspicuous
72. Through a series of protestations and exclamations, coyness and giggling, I ______ that she was talking to her boyfriend.
A. assembled B. amassed C. harvested D. gathered
73. Regional parliaments allow ______ for remote parts of the country or islands far from the capital.
A. self-government B. self-sufficiency C. self-regulation D. self-support
74. Her ______ behaviour made her the life of the party: everyone loved talking to her.
A. exhaustive B. fragrant C. exuberant D. aromatic
75. It gets my ______ that she expects to look after the children every afternoon.
A. goat B. horse C. dog D. beetle
76. They are not likely to ______ information during the current armed conflict.
A. cop out B. ladle out C. peter out D. pull out
77. I offered to do the job, but soon found that I was ______ as it was more difficult than I had thought.
A. pushing up daisies B. knocking on wood C. in over my head D. off my hands
78. The local area is ______ lacking in places to enjoy art and cinema.
A. properly B. rashly C. sorely D. aptly
79. The well-known ______ clash between the President and the rebel leader I not making things easier.
A. character B. mood C. enemy D. personality
80. We hurried back to our car as we saw the clouds ______ over the mountains.
A. rolling in B. holding off C. beating down D. bucketing down
81. Colin is only just __________; he gets unemployment benefit, but it isn’t much.
A. scraping by B. putting aside C. bailing out D. tiding over
82. Being a college professor ______ you the opportunity simply to write and do research.
A. affords B. dispenses B. grants C. procures
83. I am afraid that sofa is a ______ too big to fit along that wall.
A. dose B. portion C. shade D. slice
84. Fortunately, I noticed that the shop assistant had ______ the wrong amount.
A. run over B. rung up C. put on D. rounded up
85. It did not take much to ______ the old animosity lurking behind the surface of their relationship.
A. resuscitate B. rekindle C. restore D. regain
86. That's a pretty ______ excuse - he could have gotten there if he'd really wanted to.
A. blank B. bare C. raw D. thin
87. Getting away from the stresses of work would do you a ______ of good.
A. sense B. taste C. virtue D. power
88. Don’t ______ him on to join a gang: nothing could be worse for him!
A. egg B. toast C. butter D. knife
89. The phrase ‘money doesn't buy happiness’ is a cautionary cliché that keeps us from blindly lining your pockets with
______ in the hope that we’ll feel happier.
A. stash B. hoard C. stock D. dosh
90. Malaysians should embrace their natural generosity and not let hard times ______ their spirit to help others in need.
A. dampen B. moisten C. drench D. deluge
91. My first impression of Vanessa was that she was very charming and ______; she seemed totally at ease with people.
A. exuberant B. urbane C. aloof D. compassionate
92. Apart from one or two ______ of brilliance from Owen, England put on a rather poor performance.
A. flashes B. spells C. storms D. strokes
93. All he has done since losing his job is ______ around the house all day.
A. mourn B. depress C. mope D. wallow
94. Kitchell says the city was a ______ of all American culture during the '60s.
A. microclimate B. microcopy C. microcosm D. microscope
95. The island of Tahiti ______ sandy beaches and crystal clear water.
A. brags B. gloats C. boasts D. swaggers
96. The Government is trying to ______ when it says it will spend more on the health service without raising taxes.
A. chew the fat B. wave the flag C. square the circle D. put the lid
97. Her position became ______ when rumors were spread that she’d lied about her qualifications.
A. precipitous B. precarious C. perennial D. dubious
98. The priest was tormented by guilt when he looked back on the ______ lifestyle he had led in his youth.
A. insolent B. irresolute C. insolvent D. dissolute
99. The prime minister’s way of dealing with his own incompetence is to ______ his cabinet.
A. restructure B. reorganise C. rearrange D. reshuffle
100. I have to ______ it to William; he put in the hard work and got results.
A. hand B. present C. give D. applaud
PART 3
1. Her ______ treatment by her employers finally forced her to look for a better job.
A. shabby B. messy C. grungy D. tardy
2. After ______ over the pros and cons for weeks, she finally quit her job last Friday.
A. moralizing B. agonizing C. sterilizing D. rationalizing
3. They are a real ______ organisation; they are only interested in making a profit.
A. devil-may-care B. fly-by-night C. open-handed D. down-to-earth
4. Unfortunately, Jamie’s plans to tour around Australia didn’t ______ due to a lack of finances.
A. pan out B. pull off C. knuckle down D. waltz through
5. We ______ deny that we have ever cheated or tampered illegally with any match ball in any game during our careers.
A. categorically B. fully C. distinctly D. highly
6. She had a strong desire to be a dancer but failed to make the ______.
A. grade B. term C. mark D. degree
7. Millions of people left Italy for the USA during the Italian ______ of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
A. clique B. diaspora C. horde D. troupe
8. The football fans were coming in ______ to watch the final game. An hour before the kickoff the stadium was packed full.
A. fingers and thumbs B. bits and bobs C. dribs and drabs D. bibs and tuckers
9. He likes nothing better than to spend his Sunday mornings ______ in the gardens.
A. pottering about B. hanging around C. whiling away D. winding down
10. I had been feeling very down in the dumps after being given the sack, but took ______ when a prestigious employment
agency booked two interviews for me.
A. stride B. shine C. heart D. issue
11. He says that the clothes that judges wear in court are irrelevant ______ from another era.
A. remains B. relics C. remnants D. leadings
12. While writing the exam, Mark stole a(n) ______ glance at the answer key on the teacher’s desk.
A. stealthy B. underhand C. furtive D. secret
13. I wrote the outline of the plot, then an experienced radio dramatist helped me ______ the story.
A. chum out B. farm out C. flesh out D. kick out
14. We don’t want him to suspect we’re giving him a surprise party. Make sure you don’t__________.
A. break the ice B. kick the bucket C. spill the beans D. sweep the board
15. The earl refuses to allow anyone who is not of ______ blood to marry his son.
A. blue B. green C. red D. yellow
16. Jane ______ about the surprise party for Sheila and now the whole idea is ruined.
A. blabbed B. gossiped C. prattled D. chatted
17. Your column must have __ a nerve, because we are getting slammed with feedback from readers—and they're not
happy.
A. drilled B. punched C. touched D. knocked
18. You say you need new clothes but your wardrobe is full to ______ with dresses.
A. overflowing B. overfilling C. overlaying D. overstepping
19. Critics agree that Trevor Richmond gave a particularly ______ performance as King Lear.
A. holding B. arresting C. apprehensive D. detaining
20. He didn’t mean to be offensive: it was quite an ______ remark.
A. innocuous B. inaugural C. integral D. insidious
21. I had ______ my hopes on this promotion, so I was crushed when I didn't get it.
A. clipped B. nailed C. stuck D. pinned
22. I didn't have time to organize my thoughts, so I just spoke ______.
A. beyond the pale B. in deep water C. off the cuff D. on the hop
23. I wish I could convey how much it means to me having you all here, but words ______ me at the moment.
A. miss B. abandon C. leave D. fail
24. Under the threat of a strike, the management ______ and agreed to reinstate annual pay increases for all employees.
A. caved in B. ebbed away C. held off D. wore down
25. The poor girl was absolutely ______ with him. not knowing that his tastes lie in quite a different direction.
A. infatuated B. incapacitated C. captivated D. encapsulated
26. Those remarks were__________. No wonder they provoked such an angry reaction.
A. below par B. below the belt C. below the radar D. below the salt
27. I may seem confident when I'm leading a training seminar, but I’m really shaking in my ______ most of the time.
A. trousers B. suits C shirts D. shoes
28. It is difficult to get skips in this age group capable of keeping their ______ up at this level of competition.
A. end B. self C. frame D. edge
29. There is a big investigation ______ but I don't know when.
A. in the offing B. off the peg C. on the blink D. over the hill
30. As I said before, the report will be released in the ______ of time. I can't estimate when that will be.
A. rightness B. fullness C. greatness D. correctness
31. What a bad day: I left my phone in the grocery store, my car broke down on the way home, and, to ______ it all off. my
groceries broke through the bag as I was walking to the front door.
A. top B. sum C. total D. peak
32. I was ______ when I heard that the MP for Burnham had been arrested for fraud.
A. leveled B. floored C. hurled D. heave
33. Disagreements among party members have led to a major political ______.
A. tussle B. wrangle C. scrap D. squabble
34. Only after buying the cottage did we discover that it was ______ with mice.
A. inflicted B. infested C. invaded D. infected
35. She has a(n) ______ mind which kept her alert and well-informed even in old age.
A. examining B. demanding C. enquiring D. querying
36. My sunburnt nose made me feel rather ______ for the first few days of the holiday.
A. self-effacing B. self-centred C. self-conscious D. self-evident
37. The old man led a ______ existence after she left and refused even to see his children.
A. reclusive B. deserted C. remote D. vacant
38. If we ______ over the details, we’ll never finish filming this episode by today.
A. niggle B. discuss C. huddle D. mob
39. Congratulations on your success! How does it feel to be ______?
A. the man of the hour B. a word of honor C. an egg on the face D. the top of the morning

40. We would like to ______ again that wire confirmation copy will be coming by mail soon and copy will be sent to you upon
receipt.
A. reincarnate B. reiterate C. rehabilitate D. reciprocate
41. Annabel and Insidious 3 are not James Wan’s best movies by far and those would be ______ between any of the other
sequels on air, but they are pretty incredible.
A. kiss-offs B. summings-up C. tip-offs D. toss-ups
42. You shouldn’t have been ______ to your elders by raising those matters.
A. ill-mannered B. immaterial C. impertinent D. inapposite
43. The train service has been a ______ since they introduced the new schedules.
A. shambles B. rumpus C. chaos D. fracas
44. As he accepted the award from the organization, his voice ______ with emotion.
A. quivered B. flinched C. cringed D. winced
45. In the last century, it was widely ______ that Indian fakirs were capable of superhuman feats.
A. held B. grasped C. kept D. shaken
46. Going to the unemployment office and having to wait there for hours is a ______ experience.
A. soul-destroying B. heart-stopping C. power-sharing D. thought-provoking
47. The festival audience were ______ each other in order to get as near to the stage as possible.
A. staggering B. jostling C. strolling D. fidgeting
48. She knows she needs exercise, but finds going to the gym a ______.
A. job B. toil C. work D. chore
49. It’s a ______ for decent jobs these days, so you need every qualification you can get.
A. scramble B. jumble C. jostle D. flurry
50. Another, perhaps inspired by the nursery rhyme, is that a(n) ______ for sweet things during pregnancy makes you more
likely to be having a girl, while a boy will make you crave savoury, salty foods, meat and cheese in particular.
A. inspiration B. affinity C. predilection D. propensity
51. Jack was disappointed not to be promoted as he was given to ______ that the job would be his.
A. know B. understand C. realize D. say
52. Her ambition and ______ determination ensured that she rose to the top of her profession.
A. hounded B. wormed C. ducked D. dogged
53. Given the appalling weather conditions on top of the mountain. I’d say the chances of their finding any survivors are very
______ indeed.
A. narrow B. lean C. remote D. shallow
54. Steve used to be easy to work with, but since his promotion he’s begun to ______.
A. throw his weight around B. throw in the towel C. throw him off balance D. throw a monkey wrench in the works
55. Both the favourite and then the second favourite pulled out. Naturally, we thought we were ______ a chance.
A. in with B. up for C. in for D. up with
56. Do not mention work to Ray, as it is a sore ______ with him at the moment.
A. finger B. point C. place D. thumb
57. She wouldn’t have heard anything. She is ______.
A. stone-deaf B. rock-deaf C. post-deaf D. bat-deaf
58. During winter the shelters are frill of people of no fixed ______.
A. residence B. abode C. home D. domicile
59. Harry was offered a scholarship to study in Japan and he ______ the opportunity with both hands.
A. grasped B. grabbed C. held D. passed
60. Nick's mom has turned her home into a halfway house for ______ relatives and stray dogs.
A. tumble-down B. downcast C. run-down D. down-and-out
61. Here I sit ______ - no food, no money, no anything
A. high and dry B. thick and thin C. huff and puff D. wear and tear
62. The money was taken out of the bank in small amounts so as not to ______ suspicion.
A. awake B. arouse C. instigate D. incite
63. Because he was an ______ criminal, he was sentenced to life imprisonment.
A. illegible B. impenetrable C. impermeable D. incorrigible
64. She was a ______ Catholic and, so far as I am aware, morally unassailable.
A. firm B. devout C. staunch D. strained
65.I don't know why she puts up with the way he ______ her.
A. walks in on B. walks away with C. walks off with D. walks all over
66. I have to ______ the state driving laws because I have to take my driving test tomorrow.
A. bleat on about B. bone up on C. cast around for D. home in on
II. Give the correct form of provided words to complete the sentences
1. The Oscar prize represents a (STONE) ___________________ of his long acting career, which has started from when he
was just 17 years old.
2. Climbers may experience difficulty breathing in the (RARE) __________________ air at high altitudes.
3. No amount of (ARM) _____________________ succeeded in getting the soldier to reveal his identity.
4. He lies (SENSE) __________________ on the couch after his binges, not aware of anything else happening around.
5. Because I never accept any kinds of alcoholic drink, my friend gave me a (QUIZ) _________________ look when I
ordered champagne.
6. The (BATTLE) ___________________ army finally surrendered after failing to lift the siege the third time.
7. People who don't want to pay tax will exploit any (HOLE) ____________________ in the tax regulations.
8. It was a (CRINGE) ____________________ performance from start to finish since I kept stuttering as a result of stage
fright.
9. He is an old (BUSY) ____________________ who likes to meddle with everybody's affairs in the neighborhood.
10. Discrimination against women is deeply (BED) _________________ in our society and demands drastic measures from
the government to change.
11. The teacher threatened to (FISCAL) ____________________ their phones if they kept using them in class.
12. You should dress in a way that (FIT) _________________ a woman of your age. which is not so gaudy.
13. The (SHOT) _________________ of the new policy was higher productivity but lower employee satisfaction.
14. Ever since my father passed away, my brother has become the (PIN) __________________ of the whole family.
15. People believe that (LATERAL) _________________ cooperation in the high-tech sector would benefit both countries.
16. Never been in a relationship, the girl (LUXURY) ______________________ in all the attention she received.
17. After the terrorism, tighter airport security regulations could be in the (OFF) ___________________.
18. The baby sleeps peacefully (NEST) ___________________ in the arms of his mother.
19. Of all human feelings, self-satisfaction is the most (CURSE) ___________________ as it prevents us from improving.
20. Parrots are usually known for their amazing vocal (MIMIC) __________________ even without training.
21. Airport employees worked (FEVER) ______________________ to handle the unexpected traffic.
22. Even after being a doctor for many years, Helen's passion for her work is (DIM) ________________, she enjoys every
moment!
23. With two more days of competition to go she is in an (BEAT) ___________________ position.
24. She’s got an itchy feet; she’s(DESIRE) ___________________ of expeditions to the far-flung comers of the world.
25. It’s illegal to (TAKE) __________________________ when there is a solid white line on the road.
26. We are all born with a natural curiosity (BED) __________________ in our psyche.
27. He is a wolf in sheep's clothing, outwardly kind but inwardly (VICE) _____________________.
28. We cannot yet satisfactorily explain the (GENE) ___________________ of the universe.
29. As we come up with questions (PERTAIN) ___________________ to your area, be prepared to respond to them.
30. Nuclear cost (RUN) ___________________ have put many state utility commissions in difficulty.
31. Although Vietnam is a (SIGN) _________________ to numerous intellectual property conventions, there are still many
reasons for foreign companies operating there to keep a close eye out for intellectual property violations.
32. The (PART) ________________ of India in 1947was the division of British India into two independent dominion states.
India and Pakistan.
33. Leadership and confidence radiate from her in a (RIGHT) _____________________ and direct manner.
34. Unlike the greenhouse gases, which spread evenly across the globe, sulphur dioxide's effects are (LIVE)
___________________ and regional.
35. Many dolphins die each year from (TANGLE) _________________________ in fishing nets.
36. It's that (SUGAR) ______________________ smile of his that I can't bear - it makes me want to puke!
37. The central character is a bad man who shoots people and gets his (COME) ______________________.
38. The so-called ‘norm’ of the nuclear family is in fact (TYPICAL) ____________________ of many families.
39. His last book is a bold, at times (REAL) _________________________ mixture of fact and fancy.
40. Temperature records have (VOICE) _______________________ confirmed the existence of global wanning.
41. (ACT) ___________________ telecommunications increasingly give ordinary citizens immediate access to the major
political decisions that affect their lives and property.
42. This black comedy is a comment on the alienating and (HUMAN) __________________ effects of contemporary urban
Efe.
43. The young Jaxxon landed on Nar Shaddaa, and spent the next few years honing his (STREET) _________________
survival skills and razor-sharp wit on the mean streets of the vertical cities.
44. With astonishingly rapid developments, even the hippest (WORD) ___________________ might wonder if people in the
future will even understand the cutting-edge lingo that is so exciting to us today.
45. Only (SCARE) _____________________ who are seeking to make political capital out of the situation are peddling such
malicious and unjustified rumours.
46. In 1988 there were several well-publicised cases of young people committing suicide apparently because of (QUIT)
______________________ love.
47. The investigator said the killings were the result of poor procedure by trigger-happy police rather than (MEDITATE)
________________________ murder.
48. (AIR) __________________ species require little oxygen, but animals or humans need a fair supply.
49. The opposing counsel then has a last opportunity to (EXAMINE) ______________________ the witness to address facts
brought out in redirect examination.
50. It is also of great importance in (METAL) ___________________ and material science in the production of cast alloys.
51. She had had the (SIGHT) ___________________ to prepare herself financially in case of an accident.
52. A clean, (CLUTTER) _____________________ home will always appear elegant.
53. My room is (SHIP) _______________________ so we can invite them to the party in my room.
54. The turbulence of the airplane during the storm made everyone feel (QEASE) ___________________. .
55. It is essential that tutors provide a good service (MEASURE) ______________________ with the fees being charged to
students and/or their employers.
56. Some things are (ALIEN) ___________________ true: Water is wet, grass is green (kind of), dogs bark and houses
prices rise.
57. The foreigners in Ottawa constitute a(n) (OMEN) __________________ threat to the integrity and autonomy of our
province.
58. The sparse dialogue is as mind-numbingly (CLAIM) ______________________ and unsubtle as political oratory.
59. Although she was from a (DO) _____________________ family and could have led a very comfortable life, Judith had
chosen otherwise.
60. The power of red wine to (ACT) ___________________ high cholesterol has been ballyhooed in the press.
61. Not only was it gaudy in appearance but the smell wafting from the kitchen was distinctly (ODOR)
_____________________.
62. The message is clear and concise and displays no (VERB) __________________ that one would expect to find in more
courtly love scenes.
63. If you join the armed forces, you have to pledge (ALLEGE) ____________________ to your country.
64. The next government will play an energetic role in seeking multilateral nuclear (ARM) ______________________.
65. Opposition leaders said they would try to stage nationwide protests, but previous opposition rallies have met only
(WARM) ______________________ support.
66. Jaubert had been a reasonable man to work for. He never asked her to do anything illegal or (TASTE)
__________________.
67. For twenty-five years he (PAIN) ________________________ amassed evidence to support his hypothesis.
68. He felt out of place. a(n) (CONFORM) _______________________ in a society where conformity was highly prized.
69. It would be (GENUS) ______________________ on our part to pretend ignorance of our book's impact, both in sales
and controversy.
70. Great cities and (URBAN) _____________________ are developed by visionaries who instill pride and optimism in their
fellow citizens.
71. She (NUMBER) ______________________ the things we need to buy - sugar, tea and sandwiches.
72. Working hours, including those accruing on a (TIME) _________________ basis, are monitored by line managers locally
and no central figures are available.
73. (KNOW) ________________________ to me, he had rented out the apartment while I was away.
74. He was fascinated by her (PHYSIC) ___________________ - the prominent nose, brooding eyes and thick hair.
75. When we came to the platform on the railway station we were met by the station master, an (OFFICE)
__________________ little man with a peaked cap.
76. There was a party after the ceremony where much drinking and (SLAP) _____________________ went on.
77. I know no private business that cannot be improved by independent investigation, by a policy (SIGHT)
___________________ provided by "new blood" and so on.
78. However, this new style of theatre caused some (MUSE) ____________________ among the spectators, who criticized
anything that lacked complete realism.
79. Many students consider coding as an utterly (SCRUTINY) ______________________ language distinct from human
language in general.
80. Even at higher temperatures, there may be problems of having enough time for the solid to fully (EQUAL)
____________________ as the system is cooling.
81. Just because she’s read some (TRASH) ________________ paperback she thinks she’s some kind of expert on the
modus-operandi.
82. Staff felt as if they had been (WINK) ___________________ when they discovered the new management’s plans.
83. The New Year 2020’s (STAR) ________________ show involves almost every famous face of the country.
84. Companies can be punished for making (SUBSTANCE) __________________________ claims about their products,
85. It was a misery (MEMORY) _______________ of a woman escaped from North Korea to which everyone expressed their
sorrow and sympathy,
86. They were (CULTURE) _____________________ in the tradition of 'public service' from their contact with older regimes
87. When we arrived, the party was in full swing and the room was (BUZZ) _______________.
88. They found it (ROAR) ___________________ amusing that this hot-shot chef couldn't even use a tomato slicer.
89. “Say after me.” he would (TONE) ________________ and the class dutifully repeated whatever he said.
90. Because opera is a collaborative genre, the mechanisms of its production and its resulting meaning(s) are often
heteroglossic or at best (GAIN) __________________.
91. Emotionality is also central in language choice for positive affect, such as (DEAR) _______________________ or praise
for one's partner or children.
92. To the (INITIATE) ___________________, most computer systems seem complex and difficult to understand.
93. The pieces of evidence fell into place with the (VOICE) ____________________ precision of a well-made jigsaw puzzle.
94. Parents have deep (GIVE) ________________ about allowing business values to be used in schools.
95. For many people, social networking offers them a feeling of (ESCAPE) _________________ from the real world.
96. Not sick, Mai guessed, but probably (HANG) __________________ now that she drank a lot at the party last night.
97. The boats surrounded the whales, drove them into nets, where they became (MESH) __________________ and were
rendered helpless by harpoon thrusts.
98. “P” is a (LIP) _____________________ consonant.
99. Perhaps (INTUITION) ______________________, recent computer modeling studies predict fewer tropical cyclones if
the ocean heats up further as a result of global warming.
100. New immigrants have been successfully (SIMILAR) ______________________ into the community.
101. We have to learn good examples, to look at our behavior and to stop being (RIGHT) _______________________.
102. She stood there completely (EXPRESS) ____________________ so I had no idea at all what she was thinking
103. Any actor who becomes known for one role is in danger of becoming (TYPE) ____________________.
104. This school was once (REQUIRE) _________________________ as a military hospital during the war.
105. So far, the United States has said it cannot agree to (LAW) ___________________ all types of antipersonnel mines.
106. In Scotland, there is greater emphasis on (VALUE) _____________________, by individual schools.
107. According to a recent survey in Britain, more women than men emphasized (CONFIDENCE)
______________________ and trust.
108. People also read these papers for their reviews of new books, films and plays and for their (EDIT)
_____________________.
109. Since most important problems are (FACE) ______________________, there are several alternatives to choose from,
each with unique advantages and disadvantages.