Free Vocabulary MCQs with Answers

2801. People who try to fish in troubled waters usually make situations worse.What does the underlined idiom mean?

• A. To cause unnecessary fights
• B. To gain benefit from a difficult situation
• C. To help others in need
• D. To face hardships bravely

Explanation: The idiom 'fish in troubled waters' refers to the act of trying to gain advantage or benefit from a chaotic or difficult situation. In the context of the question, it indicates that those who engage in such behavior are likely to exacerbate the existing problems rather than resolve them. Option B is correct because it captures this essence of exploiting difficulties. The other options misinterpret the idiom; they either suggest causing conflict, helping others, or demonstrating bravery, none of which accurately reflect the meaning of the idiom.

2802. The criminal finally decided to spill the beans about his partners.What does the underlined idiom mean?

• A. To waste food
• B. To reveal a secret
• C. To hide information
• D. To play tricks

Explanation: The idiom 'spill the beans' means to reveal a secret or disclose information that was meant to be kept confidential. In the context of the question, the criminal decided to 'spill the beans' about his partners, indicating that he chose to share information about them, likely as part of a confession or deal with authorities. The other options do not align with the definition of the idiom. 'To waste food' incorrectly interprets the phrase, while 'to hide information' directly contradicts it. 'To play tricks' is unrelated to the concept of revealing secrets or information.

2803. Everyone laughed when he said he sees his old friend once in a blue moon.What does the underlined idiom mean?

• A. Very frequently
• B. Very rarely
• C. Every month
• D. Only in summer

Explanation: The idiom 'once in a blue moon' means something that happens very rarely. In this context, it indicates that the person sees their old friend infrequently. The other options suggest regularity or frequency that contradicts the idiomatic expression. 'Very frequently' (Option A) and 'Every month' (Option C) imply regular encounters, while 'Only in summer' (Option D) suggests a specific season, which does not reflect the rarity indicated by the idiom.

2804. To maintain peace, the government tried to keep violence at bay.What does the underlined idiom mean?

• A. To allow violence
• B. To avoid something harmful
• C. To punish criminals
• D. To support enemies

Explanation: The correct answer is option B: 'To avoid something harmful.' The idiom 'keep violence at bay' means to prevent or avoid violence, which can be considered harmful. The other options are incorrect because:Option A suggests allowing violence, which is the opposite of what the idiom conveys.Option C talks about punishing criminals, which does not directly relate to the prevention of violence.Option D implies supporting enemies, which is contrary to the government's goal of maintaining peace.Therefore, understanding the context of the idiom is crucial for determining its meaning.

2805. The old man likes everything to be written in black and white.What does the underlined idiom mean?

• A. Clearly expressed in writing
• B. In a newspaper
• C. In coded language
• D. In photographs

Explanation: The correct answer is 'Clearly expressed in writing'. The idiom 'in black and white' means that something is clearly and unambiguously stated, often referring to written documents where the meaning is straightforward. The other options do not capture this meaning: 'In a newspaper' refers to a medium without implying clarity, 'In coded language' suggests complexity and obscurity, and 'In photographs' relates to visual representation rather than written clarity. Therefore, the correct understanding of the idiom is essential for selecting the right option.

2806. He was nervous but tried to keep his chin up during the interview.What does the underlined idiom mean?

• A. To be proud
• B. To remain cheerful in difficulty
• C. To be arrogant
• D. To act carelessly

Explanation: The correct answer is Option B: 'To remain cheerful in difficulty'. The idiom 'keep his chin up' implies that despite feeling nervous, the individual is trying to maintain a positive outlook during the interview. It reflects resilience and optimism in challenging situations.Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not align with the context of the sentence. Option A ('To be proud') suggests a sense of self-importance, option C ('To be arrogant') implies superiority, and option D ('To act carelessly') conveys a lack of caution, none of which relate to managing feelings of nervousness.

2807. His idea was ahead of its time, and people only understood it years later.What does the underlined idiom mean?

• A. Impossible to apply
• B. Too advanced for the current period
• C. Completely useless
• D. Ordinary and boring

Explanation: The idiom 'ahead of its time' means that an idea, concept, or invention is so innovative or advanced that it is not understood or appreciated in the present time. In this case, the person's idea was recognized for its brilliance only after some years, indicating that it was indeed ahead of its time. The other options are incorrect as they either suggest a lack of applicability, usefulness, or innovation, which does not reflect the true meaning of the idiom.

2808. The thief managed to give the police the slip.What does the underlined idiom mean?

• A. To bribe the police
• B. To escape from them
• C. To fight with them
• D. To confuse them

Explanation: The correct answer is 'To escape from them', as the idiom 'give the police the slip' directly refers to a thief managing to avoid capture by law enforcement. The other options provided do not accurately reflect the meaning of the idiom: 'To bribe the police' suggests a financial transaction rather than evasion; 'To fight with them' implies confrontation, which is contrary to the notion of slipping away unnoticed; and 'To confuse them' hints at distraction rather than outright escape.

2809. The new policy turned out to be a double-edged sword.What does the underlined idiom mean?

• A. A useless plan
• B. Something with both advantages and disadvantages
• C. A dangerous weapon
• D. A quick solution

Explanation: The idiom 'double-edged sword' refers to a situation or decision that has both positive and negative consequences. In the context of the new policy, it suggests that while there may be benefits, there are also potential drawbacks that should be considered. Option A is incorrect because it suggests the policy has no value at all, while Option C fails to capture the dual nature of the idiom and simply focuses on danger. Option D is also incorrect as it implies simplicity rather than the complex implications of the policy.

2810. In politics, one must be careful not to cross the line.What does the underlined idiom mean?

• A. To break a rule or limit
• B. To travel far
• C. To lose hope
• D. To make a mistake in math

Explanation: The correct answer is Option A: To break a rule or limit. The idiom 'cross the line' is commonly used to indicate that someone has acted inappropriately or has exceeded acceptable behavior, especially in sensitive areas like politics. Option B, 'to travel far,' is unrelated as it discusses distance rather than behavior. Option C, 'to lose hope,' refers to emotional states and does not connect to the idea of limits or rules. Finally, Option D, 'to make a mistake in math,' is entirely off-topic and does not pertain to the idiom's meaning.