Free Vocabulary MCQs with Answers

1211. What is the nearest meaning of the following idiom: "Hold sway"?

• A. Dance gracefully
• B. Have control or influence
• C. Manage a situation
• D. Stand firm

Explanation: To hold sway means to exercise power, authority, or influence over people or events. It is about control rather than physically standing firm or dancing.

1212. choose the correct meaning of the idiom: " To plough the sand".

• A. To make the desert bloom
• B. To work in vain
• C. To do a difficult work
• D. To make the desert fertile

Explanation: To plough the sand means to perform an effort that cannot produce a useful result, hence to work in vain. The image suggests that the work will quickly be erased or yield nothing.

1213. 'Vent one's spleen' means:

• A. Express one's joy
• B. Express one's anger
• C. Let something out
• D. None of These

Explanation: To vent one’s spleen means to release or express pent-up anger or resentment. It is associated with anger, not joy.

1214. What does the idiom "to bear the brunt of" mean?

• A. To enjoy the benefits of something
• B. To take on the main force or impact of something
• C. To avoid responsibility
• D. To lead a group or effort

Explanation: To bear the brunt of something is to suffer or receive its greatest force or impact. The expression is often used for the person or group facing the worst effects of an event.

1215. What does the idiom "have an axe to grind" mean?

• A. To have a tool that needs sharpening
• B. To be skilled at woodworking
• C. To have a personal interest or grievance
• D. To be ready for hard work

Explanation: To have an axe to grind means to possess a personal motive, interest, or grievance, often hidden behind an argument. It is not about literally sharpening a tool.

1216. What does the idiom "to bury the hatchet" mean?

• A. To hide evidence
• B. To end a conflict and make peace
• C. To postpone a decision
• D. To prepare for battle

Explanation: To bury the hatchet means to stop hostility and make peace. The image comes from putting away a weapon instead of continuing a fight.

1217. What does the idiom 'to call a spade a spade' mean?

• A. To dig for the truth
• B. To use the correct tool for the job
• C. To speak bluntly and truthfully
• D. To disguise the truth with euphemisms

Explanation: To call a spade a spade means to speak plainly and truthfully, without softening an unpleasant fact. It does not refer merely to using a digging tool.

1218. They have a(n) ___________ on the top prize in the competition.

• A. advantage
• B. edge
• C. eye
• D. vision

Explanation: To have an edge means to possess an advantage over competitors, so the natural phrase is have an edge on the top prize. Advantage is close in meaning but does not complete the tested expression as naturally.

1219. "Give cold shoulder" means__________?

• A. To support
• B. Cold meat
• C. To ignore
• D. Shiver

Explanation: To give someone the cold shoulder means to deliberately ignore or treat that person in an unfriendly way. It does not refer to cold meat or physical shivering.

1220. He will not turn ______________ my respect

• A. on
• B. over
• C. down
• D. None of these

Explanation: “Turn down” means reject or refuse something, so the sentence means that he will not reject the speaker’s respect. The wording is unusual, but “down” is the only suitable particle among the options.