Phrase Lesson - 1 for University Admission Test, Job Application Test, BCS Exam and Any Competitive Examination

PHRASE (শব্দগুচ্ছ)

Part 1: Primary Discussion

Phrase (শব্দগুচ্ছ): Phrase হলো কতকগুলো শব্দের সমষ্টি (a group of words) যাতে কোনো Subject এবং Finite Verb থাকে না। এটি বাক্যে ব্যবহৃত হয়ে একটি মাত্র Parts of Speech (যেমন Noun, Adjective, Adverb, etc.)-এর মতো কাজ করে।

• Example:

  1. The sun rises in the east. (এখানে "in the east" হলো Phrase, কারণ এতে Subject বা Finite verb নেই এবং এটি স্থান নির্দেশ করছে।)

  2. He is a man of letters. (এখানে "of letters" হলো Phrase, যা 'man' কে modify করছে।)

Difference between Phrase & Clause:

Feature	Phrase	Clause
Subject & Verb	থাকে না	থাকে (Finite Verb আবশ্যক)
Meaning	আংশিক অর্থ প্রকাশ করে	পূর্ণাঙ্গ বা আংশিক অর্থ প্রকাশ করে
Function	Single Part of Speech হিসেবে কাজ করে	বাক্যের অংশ বা স্বাধীন বাক্য হতে পারে

Part 2: Classification of Phrases

কাজের ধরন অনুযায়ী Phrase প্রধানত সাত প্রকার:

1. Noun Phrase

যে Phrase বাক্যে Noun-এর কাজ করে (অর্থাৎ Subject, Object বা Complement হিসেবে বসে), তাকে Noun Phrase বলে।

• Identification: Verb-কে 'What' (কী) বা 'Who' (কে) দিয়ে প্রশ্ন করলে উত্তরে Noun Phrase পাওয়া যায়।

• Structure: সাধারণত Noun-এর সাথে Article, Adjective বা Preposition যুক্ত হয়ে গঠিত হয়।

• Examples:

  • To tell a lie is a great sin. (Subject - What is a sin?)

  • He likes reading books. (Object - What does he like?)

  • I tried to solve the problem.

2. Adjective Phrase

যে Phrase বাক্যে Adjective-এর কাজ করে (অর্থাৎ কোনো Noun বা Pronoun-কে modify করে), তাকে Adjective Phrase বলে।

• Identification: এটি সর্বদা কোনো Noun-এর ঠিক পরে বসে সেই Noun সম্পর্কে তথ্য দেয়।

• Examples:

  • The girl with blue eyes is my sister. (Modifies 'girl')

  • He is a man of great wealth. (Modifies 'man')

  • The book on the table is mine.

3. Adverbial Phrase

যে Phrase বাক্যে Adverb-এর কাজ করে (অর্থাৎ Verb, Adjective বা Adverb-কে modify করে), তাকে Adverbial Phrase বলে। এটি সাধারণত স্থান, কাল, ধরন বা কারণ নির্দেশ করে।

• Identification: Verb-কে Where, When, How, Why দিয়ে প্রশ্ন করলে পাওয়া যায়।

• Types:

  • Time: He came at 10 a.m. (When?)

  • Place: He was born in a small village. (Where?)

  • Manner: He fought in a brave manner. (How?)

4. Prepositional Phrase

যে Phrase Preposition দিয়ে শুরু হয় এবং Noun/Pronoun দিয়ে শেষ হয়, তাকে Prepositional Phrase বলে।

• Note: বাক্যে ব্যবহারের ওপর ভিত্তি করে একটি Prepositional Phrase কখনো Adjective Phrase আবার কখনো Adverbial Phrase হতে পারে।

• Examples:

  • He is in the room. (Adverbial - Place)

  • The water of this river is pure. (Adjective - Modifies 'water')

• Idiomatic Prepositional Phrases: by dint of (বদৌলতে), in front of (সামনে), on account of (কারণে), for the sake of (জন্য)।

5. Verbal Phrase (Phrasal Verbs)

Verb-এর সাথে Preposition বা Adverb যুক্ত হয়ে যখন ভিন্ন অর্থ প্রকাশ করে।

• Examples:

  • The patient will come round (আরোগ্য লাভ করা) soon.

  • He gave up (ত্যাগ করা) smoking.

  • Please look into (তদন্ত করা) the matter.

6. Conjunctional Phrase

যে Phrase বাক্যে Conjunction-এর মতো দুটি word বা clause-কে যুক্ত করে।

• Examples:

  • As soon as the teacher entered, the students stood up.

  • No sooner had ... than.

  • In order that, so that, as well as.

7. Interjectional Phrase

যে Phrase মনের আকস্মিক আবেগ বা অনুভূতি প্রকাশ করে।

• Examples:

  • Oh my God! What have you done?

  • What a pity! He failed again.

Part 3: Other Important Phrases

A. Infinitive Phrase

To + Verb (base form) দিয়ে গঠিত Phrase। এটি বাক্যে Noun, Adjective বা Adverb-এর কাজ করতে পারে।

• Ex: I like to swim in the river. (Noun phrase as object)

B. Participial Phrase

Present Participle (V+ing) বা Past Participle (V3) দিয়ে শুরু হওয়া Phrase যা Adjective-এর কাজ করে।

• Ex: I saw a bird flying in the sky. (Modifies 'bird')

• Ex: The chair broken by him is new. (Modifies 'chair')

Part 4: Important Rules with Previous Questions

Rule 01: Noun Phrase vs. Noun Clause

• যদি শব্দগুচ্ছে finite verb থাকে তবে তা Clause, না থাকলে Phrase।

• Ex: I know where he lives. (Clause - verb 'lives' আছে)

• Ex: I know his address. (Phrase - verb নেই)

Rule 02: Adjective Phrase Identifying Trick

• Noun-এর ঠিক পরে বসে এবং 'Which one?' প্রশ্নের উত্তর দেয়।

• Ex: The man in the room is my uncle. (Which man? The one in the room.)

Rule 03: Adverbial Phrase Identifying Trick

• Verb-এর অবস্থা বোঝায়।

• Ex: He ran with great speed. (How ran? - With great speed.)

Previous Years' Questions & Answers

01. Identify the underlined phrase: 'The man in the white shirt is my brother.' [DU-B]

• (A) Noun phrase

• (B) Adjective phrase

• (C) Adverbial phrase

• (D) Verb phrase

Ans: (B) Explanation: Phrase-টি 'The man' (noun)-এর পরে বসে তাকে নির্দিষ্ট করছে, তাই এটি Adjective phrase।

02. Which one is a Noun Phrase? [DU-A: 18-19]

• (A) a rolling stone

• (B) to tell a lie

• (C) in the long run

• (D) by dint of

Ans: (B) Explanation: 'To tell a lie' বাক্যের Subject হতে পারে (e.g., To tell a lie is a sin), তাই এটি Noun Phrase।

03. 'A man of letters' means— [32nd BCS]

• (A) A man who writes letters

• (B) A scholar

• (C) A postman

• (D) A writer

Ans: (B) Explanation: এটি একটি Idiomatic Phrase যার অর্থ 'পণ্ডিত ব্যক্তি'।

04. He ran at top speed. [CU-B: 21-22]

• (A) Adjective phrase

• (B) Noun phrase

• (C) Adverbial phrase

• (D) Conjunctional phrase

Ans: (C) Explanation: 'How he ran?' (কীভাবে দৌড়ালো) - এর উত্তর দেয়, তাই এটি Adverbial Phrase of Manner।

05. The girl with long hair is my cousin. [RU-E: 16-17]

• (A) Noun phrase

• (B) Adjective phrase

• (C) Adverbial phrase

• (D) Verbal phrase

Ans: (B) Explanation: 'girl' Noun-কে মডিফাই করছে।

Part 5: SELF TEST (Phrase)

01. Identify the phrase: He is a man of word.

• (A) Adjective Phrase

• (B) Noun Phrase

• (C) Adverbial Phrase

• (D) Verb Phrase

Ans: (A) ('Man'-কে মডিফাই করছে)

02. Walking in the morning is good for health.

• (A) Adjective Phrase

• (B) Noun Phrase

• (C) Adverbial Phrase

• (D) Verb Phrase

Ans: (B) (বাক্যের Subject হিসেবে বসেছে)

03. I have no money to spare.

• (A) Noun phrase

• (B) Adjective phrase

• (C) Adverbial phrase

• (D) Infinitive phrase

Ans: (B) (Money (Noun)-কে মডিফাই করছে; যদিও এটি infinitive দিয়ে গঠিত, কাজের ভিত্তিতে এটি Adjective phrase। অপশনে Adjective এবং Infinitive দুটোই থাকলে Adjective-এর কাজ করছে বলে Adjective দেয়াই শ্রেয়, তবে গঠনগতভাবে Infinitive। বইয়ের উত্তরে সাধারণত function-কে প্রাধান্য দেওয়া হয়।)

04. By working hard, you can succeed.

• (A) Noun phrase

• (B) Adjective phrase

• (C) Adverbial phrase

• (D) Prepositional phrase

Ans: (C) (সফল হওয়ার উপায় বা শর্ত বোঝাচ্ছে - How? By working hard.)

05. He shouted at the top of his voice.

• (A) Noun phrase

• (B) Adjective phrase

• (C) Adverbial phrase

• (D) Conjunctional phrase

Ans: (C) (চিৎকার করার ধরন বোঝাচ্ছে।)

06. To win a prize is my ambition.

• (A) Noun phrase

• (B) Adjective phrase

• (C) Adverbial phrase

• (D) Prepositional phrase

Ans: (A) (বাক্যের Subject হিসেবে বসেছে।)

07. The book on the table is mine.

• (A) Adverbial phrase

• (B) Adjective phrase

• (C) Noun phrase

• (D) Verbial phrase

Ans: (B) (Book-কে নির্দিষ্ট করছে।)

08. He is out and out a gentleman.

• (A) Noun phrase

• (B) Adjective phrase

• (C) Adverbial phrase

• (D) Prepositional phrase

Ans: (C) (Out and out = Thoroughly/সম্পূর্ণরূপে, যা gentleman হওয়ার মাত্রাকে বোঝাচ্ছে।)

09. We were waiting for the bus in the rain.

• (A) Noun phrase

• (B) Adjective phrase

• (C) Adverbial phrase

• (D) Conjunctional phrase

Ans: (C) (কোথায় অপেক্ষা করছিল? বৃষ্টিতে। Place/Condition.)

10. In spite of his poverty, he is honest.

• (A) Noun phrase

• (B) Adjective phrase

• (C) Adverbial phrase

• (D) Prepositional phrase

Ans: (C) (Contrasting condition বোঝাচ্ছে - Adverbial Phrase. গঠনগতভাবে এটি Prepositional phrase হলেও ফাংশন Adverbial।)

1. He has been nominated the chief director of the company as he has — in the company. [JKKNIU (A) 15-16]

a) a sleeping partner

b) a lion heart

c) a lion's share

d) great courage

Answer: c

Explanation: To have 'a lion's share' of something (like shares in a company) means to have the largest part.

2. The new policy was adopted — fierce criticism. [JKKNIU (A) 15-16]

a) in the teeth of

b) in the hand of

c) in the face of

d) in the eyes of

Answer: a

Explanation: 'In the teeth of' means in spite of strong opposition.

3. Yesterday he had a — from a serious accident. [JnU (A) 15-16]

a) narrow escape

b) possibility

c) danger

d) chance

Answer: a

Explanation: A 'narrow escape' means one barely avoided a dangerous situation.

4. The phrase 'Over and again' means [MBSTU (D) 15-16]

a) once more

b) again

c) wonderful

d) once

Answer: a

Explanation: 'Over and again' means repeatedly. 'Once more' is the closest meaning among the options.

5. Fill in the blank: "-- his merit, he was given a prize." [BSMRSTU (B) 12-13]

a) In spite of

b) In view of

c) In point of

d) In the event of

Answer: b

Explanation: 'In view of' means considering or taking into account.

6. Students think for a bit before answering. Here 'a bit' means [RU (BBA) 09-10]

a) a small amount

b) a short time

c) a large amount

d) profoundly

Answer: b

Explanation: 'A bit' in this context means 'a short time'.

7. What is the synonym of the word 'blood-bath'? [RU (BBA) 07-08]

a) blood

b) massacre

c) blonde

d) massacre

Answer: d

Explanation: A 'bloodbath' is a 'massacre', a brutal slaughter of many people.

8. To leave no stone unturned means- [DU (B) 10-11]

a) To remain idle

b) To try in all possible ways

c) To work hard

d) To apply unfair means to achieve something

Answer: b

Explanation: 'To leave no stone unturned' means to try every possible means to achieve something.

9. The gift of the gab: [PUST (B) 12-13]

a) a gift of nature

b) agility

c) a reward

d) ability to speak easily

Answer: d

Explanation: 'The gift of the gab' is the ability to speak easily and persuasively.

10. What does the phrase mean: At one's wits' end? [JU (D) 13-14]

a) Perplexed

b) Clear up

c) Explain

d) Enlightened

Answer: a

Explanation: To be 'at one's wits' end' means to be completely puzzled or 'perplexed'.

11. At any cost [PUST (B) 12-13]

a) at a heavy cost

b) under any circumstances

c) with full strength

d) in an expensive way

Answer: b

Explanation: 'At any cost' means 'under any circumstances' or regardless of the price/effort.

12. Cool as a cucumber [PUST (B) 12-13]

a) very hasty

b) very dull

c) very slow

d) very calm and controlled

Answer: d

Explanation: 'Cool as a cucumber' means to be very calm and controlled, especially in difficult situations.

13. Do's and don'ts [HSTU (A) 13-14]

a) disobedience

b) restrictions

c) instructions

d) wisdom

Answer: c

Explanation: 'Dos and don'ts' are rules or 'instructions' about what one should and should not do.

14. First language [PUST (A) 13-14]

a) Lingua franca

b) Mother tongue

c) English

d) Official language

Answer: b

Explanation: A person's 'first language' is their native language or 'mother tongue'.

15. What is the opposite of 'Yellow Dog'? [RU (G) 16-17]

a) great man

b) unkind man

c) hopeless man

d) foolish man

Answer: a

Explanation: A 'yellow dog' is a cowardly or contemptible person, so the opposite would be a 'great man'.

16. The man was arrested — the murder of his wife. [BU (B) 11-12, (D) 14-15]

a) in connection with

b) in compliance with

c) with reference to

d) with regards to

Answer: a

Explanation: 'In connection with' means regarding or relating to.

17. The phrase 'to drive home' means- [JU (E2) 13-14, BU (A) 14-15]

a) to find one's roots

b) to return to the place of rest

c) back to the original position

d) to emphasize

Answer: d

Explanation: 'To drive something home' means 'to emphasize' a point so that it is clearly understood.

18. Choose the meaning of the idiom: Round table conference. [BU (B) 14-15]

a) big public meeting

b) well-attended seminar

c) political or other discussion

d) debating competition

Answer: c

Explanation: A 'round-table conference' is a meeting between parties/equals for discussion.

19. Choose the meaning of the idiom: Break the record. [BU (B) 14-15]

a) destroy property

b) do damage to property

c) attempt impossible things

d) do something that has not been done before

Answer: d

Explanation: 'To break a record' means to surpass a previous best achievement or do something unprecedented.

20. Our family is on very good terms with his family. Here 'good terms' means- [NU (Hons) 14-15]

a) good conditions

b) warm relationship

c) give and take

d) hospitality

Answer: b

Explanation: To be on 'good terms' means to have a good, friendly, or 'warm relationship'.

21. 'A slip of the tongue' means something is said — [JnU (C) 14-15]

a) wrongly by choice

b) unintentionally

c) without giving proper thought

d) to hurt another person

Answer: b

Explanation: 'A slip of the tongue' is a minor mistake in speech made 'unintentionally'.

22. The students wrote the essay in accordance with the instruction of their teacher. [BU (C) 13-14]

a) accordance with

b) accordingly

c) in accordance to

d) according to

Answer: a

Explanation: The correct phrase is 'in accordance with'.

23. I'm so mad at my friend. He was supposed to return the money he had borrowed from me but he stood me up. [CU (E) 13-14]

a) forgot

b) came without the money

c) pretended he forgot

d) kept me standing for a long time

e) didn't come

Answer: e

Explanation: 'To stand someone up' means to fail to keep an appointment with them.

24. Men of light and leading supported the cause of our liberation. [RU (Accounting) 09-10]

a) disrepute

b) fanatic

c) familiar

d) renowned

Answer: d

Explanation: 'Men of light and leading' are eminent, influential, or 'renowned' people.

25. Rahim is every inch a gentleman. Here 'every inch' means — [RU (E-Marketing) 13-14]

a) top to bottom

b) heavily

c) moderately

d) roughly

Answer: a

Explanation: 'Every inch' means completely or in every respect; figuratively 'top to bottom'.

26. 'He could not believe his ears' means - [JnU (B) 13-14]

a) incredulous

b) deaf

c) guilty

d) hurt

Answer: a

Explanation: To not believe one's ears means to be 'incredulous' or unable to believe what one is hearing.

27. `.to the full' means: [RU (A, Arts) 13-14]

a) to exhaust

b) to complete

c) thoroughly

d) to the highest extent

Answer: c

Explanation: 'To the full' means completely or 'thoroughly'.

28. 'in his own way' means: [RU (A, Arts) 13-14]

a) in the right way

b) properly

c) naturally

d) according to his own desire

Answer: d

Explanation: 'In one's own way' means according to one's own methods or desires.

29. 'To lighten the atmosphere' means: [RU (A, Arts) 13-14]

a) to remove darkness

b) to bring light

c) to ease a tense situation

d) to make comedy out of a tragedy

Answer: c

Explanation: 'To lighten the atmosphere' means to make a situation less serious, tense, or formal.

30. We must— catch the 7:30 train. Otherwise we won't be able to reach the campus in time. [CU (C) 07-08]

a) at once

b) at best

c) at all costs

d) surely

e) instantly

Answer: c

Explanation: 'At all costs' means by any means necessary or regardless of difficulty.

31. Choose the correct sentence. [বিসিএস-08]

a) Quote this poem from memory.

b) Quote this poem from the memory.

c) Quote this poem from heart.

d) Quote this poem from the heart.

Answer: a

Explanation: The correct idiom is 'from memory'. 'By heart' is also commonly used.

32. The idiom "Man does not live by bread alone" means: [DU (D) 04-05, BRUR (A) 10-11, IU (B) 10-11]

a) Man needs water too

b) Hunger is a relative concept

c) Man needs other things too

d) Man is never content

Answer: c

Explanation: This proverb means that people have spiritual, emotional, and artistic needs in addition to basic physical necessities.

33. Every time he lights a cigarette, I tell him it's another -- [বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংক-08]

a) thorn in the flesh

b) storm in a tea cup

c) nail in his coffin

d) spoke in his wheel

Answer: c

Explanation: 'A nail in one's coffin' is an action or event that contributes to someone's failure or death.

34. 'To make a clean breast of' means — [CU (E) 14-15]

a) To gain prominence

b) To praise oneself

c) To confess without reserve

d) to remain without tension

Answer: c

Explanation: 'To make a clean breast of' means to confess something fully and openly.

35. The good old days have gone --. [বিসিএস-08]

a) never returned

b) never to return

c) never have returned

d) never return

Answer: b

Explanation: 'Never to return' expresses a future certainty that something will not come back.

36. I don't think we have very much —; we are very different people. [CU (D) 12-13]

a) together

b) in common

c) the same

d) similar

Answer: b

Explanation: To 'have something in common' means to share interests or characteristics.

37. You'll fail in the exam, if you — from school. [বিসিএস-08]

a) take to task

b) put off

c) put out

d) play truant

Answer: d

Explanation: 'To play truant' means to be absent from school without permission.

38. — he is coming today. [বিসিএস-08]

a) At length

b) Ten to one

c) At large

d) All in all

Answer: b

Explanation: 'Ten to one' is an idiom meaning it is very likely or probable.

39. Make the correct interpretation of 'A tree is known by the fruit it bears.' [BU (B) 12-13]

a) Evil can never be disguised.

b) A person is known by his/her deeds.

c) Only a fool would look for apples on a pear tree.

d) Flower does not give a correct impression.

Answer: b

Explanation: This proverb means that a person is judged by their actions, results, or "fruit" rather than appearances.

40. 'Across the board' means — [CU (E) 14-15, (C) 17-18]

a) travelling between countries

b) everyone or everything is included

c) from end to end/ face to face

d) giving something across the table

Answer: b

Explanation: 'Across the board' means applying to all categories or members of a group.

41. A yellow suit with a yellow cap puts him over the top. Choose the correct meaning of 'over the top'. [SUST (A1) 14-15]

a) Excessive

b) On the bank

c) on the top

d) Look smart

e) Benign

Answer: a

Explanation: 'Over the top' means excessive, exaggerated, or extreme.

42. At the spur of the moment [KU (B) 14-15]

a) difficult moment

b) without delay

c) great moment

d) beautiful moment

Answer: b

Explanation: 'On the spur of the moment' means suddenly, without planning; 'without delay'.

43. The last straw [KU (B) 14-15]

a) a small amount of money

b) very light thing

c) last relative alive

d) small but additional burden

Answer: d

Explanation: 'The last straw' is the final minor trouble or burden in a series that makes a situation unbearable.

44. Break the ice [KU (B) 14-15]

a) to do something with courage

b) to speak first after long silence

c) to win a prize

d) to win someone's heart

Answer: b

45. No one knew what to say, but at last I broke the ice. 'To break the ice' means [বিসিএস-09]

a) to crack the ice

b) to start quarreling

c) to start a conversation

d) to end the hostility

Answer: c

46. To break the ice [BU (D) 12-13, বিসিএস-14]

a) to predict good weather

b) to come closer to the truth

c) to achieve the impossible

d) to be the first to begin

Answer: d

47. To break the ice এর সমার্থক কোনটি? [CU (B) 02-03]

a) বরফ ভাঙ্গা

b) সম্পর্কচ্ছেদ করা

c) সম্পর্ক স্থাপন করা

d) নীরবতা ভঙ্গ করা

Answer: d

Explanation: 'To break the ice' means to initiate social interaction or start a conversation (নীরবতা ভঙ্গ করা).

48. To play the sedulous ape is - [BU (B) 12-13]

a) to imitate a person closely

b) to jump about

c) to play with an ape

d) to play foul

Answer: a

Explanation: 'To play the sedulous ape' means to imitate someone's style or mannerisms slavishly and diligently.

49. To catch one's eye [BU (B) 12-13]

a) to pay attention

b) to reconsider

c) to overlook

d) to attract attention

Answer: d

Explanation: 'To catch one's eye' means 'to attract attention'.

50. 'Down-to-earth' means- [IU (BBA) 14-15]

a) realistic

b) unartistic

c) earthly

d) worldly

Answer: a

Explanation: 'Down-to-earth' means practical, sensible, and 'realistic'.

51. He came off with flying colours. The underlined words mean - [JnU (D) 14-15]

a) to go away

b) to be happy

c) successfully

d) with colourful flags

Answer: c

Explanation: 'To come off with flying colours' means to succeed brilliantly.

52. It doesn't matter how you solve the problem. What is important is you solve it by hook or by crook. [BSMRSTU (G) 15-16]

a) in any way possible

b) without any problem

c) with the help of others

d) in a relaxed manner

Answer: a

Explanation: 'By hook or by crook' means by any possible means, fair or unfair.

53. Which of the following is correct? [JnU (D) 14-15]

a) black and white

b) black and blue

c) black or blue

d) black or white

Answer: a

Explanation: 'Black and white' is a common idiom meaning in writing or print.

54. You are a bad egg. Here 'bad egg' means- [BSMRSTU (G) 15-16]

a) worthless

b) not fresh

c) spoiled

d) good for nothing

Answer: a

Explanation: A 'bad egg' is a dishonest or untrustworthy person; often used to mean 'worthless' or bad character.

55. A person who is 'chicken-hearted' is- [RU (D, Law) 15-16]

a) kind-hearted

b) timid

c) hard-hearted

d) generous

Answer: b

Explanation: 'Chicken-hearted' means cowardly or 'timid'.

56. The rich man was brought up with a silver spoon in his mouth. [RU (A) 15-16]

a) Born in a poor family

b) Born with a disease

c) Born in a rich family

d) Born at night

Answer: c

Explanation: To be 'born with a silver spoon in one's mouth' means to be born into wealth.

57. The expression 'take into account' means- [RU (C, Law) 15-16]

a) count numbers

b) consider

c) assess

d) think seriously

Answer: b

Explanation: 'To take into account' means to 'consider' particular facts or circumstances.

58. He is an old hand at teaching English. Here 'an old hand' means- [BSMRSTU (A) 15-16]

a) an old man

b) an experienced person

c) an expert

d) a retired person

Answer: b

Explanation: 'An old hand' at something is a person with a lot of experience in it.

59. I have no axe to grind. The underlined phrase means- [BSMRSTU (C) 15-16]

a) have a selfish motive

b) have a dull axe

c) have a sharp axe

d) have a personal interest

Answer: d

Explanation: 'To have an axe to grind' means to have a private reason or 'personal interest' for doing something, often a selfish one.

60. Choose the correct use of idiom. [JnU (A) 15-16]

a) He is such a bad guy whom I hate from the core of my heart.

b) She is such a bad girl whom I hate from the core of my heart.

c) He is such a bad guy whom I hate from the bottom of my heart.

d) He is such a bad guy whom I love from the bottom of my heart.

Answer: c

Explanation: The standard idiom is "from the bottom of my heart" (typically used for love or thanks, but here used for intensity).

61. 'A bed of roses' means- [BRUR (F) 14-15]

a) a very soft bed

b) a comfortable situation

c) a beautiful garden

d) an enjoyable state

Answer: b

Explanation: 'A bed of roses' refers to an easy, comfortable situation or life.

62. My father has done his best to bring up his children. Here 'bring up' means - [JnU (B) 14-15]

a) educate

b) feed

c) rear

d) grow

Answer: c

Explanation: 'To bring up' means to care for and raise children (rear).

63. The man is on the wrong track of life. 'On the wrong track' means- [BSMRSTU (D) 15-16]

a) on the wrong path

b) doing something that is unlikely to succeed

c) going on the wrong way

d) being on the wrong side

Answer: b

Explanation: To be 'on the wrong track' means to be acting in a way that is likely to fail or be incorrect.

64. We must not give a cold shoulder to the newcomers. [CU (A1) 14-15]

a) abuse them

b) hate them

c) ignore them

d) scold them

Answer: c

Explanation: To 'give someone the cold shoulder' means to intentionally ignore or be unfriendly to them.

65. What does 'black market' mean? [MBSTU (B) 14-15]

a) illegal trafficking

b) a dark market

c) an open market

d) a cheap market

Answer: a

Explanation: 'Black market' refers to the illegal trade or 'trafficking' of goods.

66. I don't feel like talking to you. Here 'feel like' means- [BSMRSTU (A) 15-16]

a) dislike

b) wish

c) hate

d) love

Answer: b

Explanation: 'To feel like' doing something means to have a 'wish' or desire to do it.

67. 'The pros and cons' means- [RU (C, Law) 15-16]

a) good and bad

b) merits and demerits

c) for and against a thing

d) all of the above

Answer: d

Explanation: 'Pros and cons' refers to the advantages and disadvantages (merits/demerits, for/against) of something.

68. 'To see eye to eye' means- [RU (D, Law) 15-16]

a) stare fixedly

b) be angry

c) take revenge

d) agree

Answer: d

Explanation: 'To see eye to eye' means to be in full agreement.

69. Please keep in mind that I am not a native speaker of English. Here 'keep in mind' means- [BSMRSTU (G) 15-16]

a) remember

b) forget

c) memorize

d) ignore

Answer: a

Explanation: 'To keep in mind' means to 'remember' or consider.