TEST 1

Part 1: Lexico
1. Leading a sedentary lifestyle with barely any outdoor activities, the young today
have grown_______ and lazy.
A. effeminate B. effete C. effectual D. effaced
Weak and without much power
2. In single-sex schools, teachers often_______their students_______how to
behave and communicate with the opposite gender effectively.
A. school…in B.ram…through C. deracinate…into D. cozen…into
To train, tutor or mentor someone in something
3. When the chips were down, she turned out a(n)_______by never replying to my
calls and messages.
A. gum tree B. broken reed C. thorn in my side D. Achilles’ heel
An unreliable person
4. An agreement will eventually be reached in a group if members’
opinions_______one another’s.
A. jibe with B. dob in C. run by D. adjourn to
If one statement or opinion jibes with another, it is similar to it and matches
it
5. The_______performance of the singers did enthrall the audience who then
gave them a standing ovation.
A. high-octane B. deluxe C. obsequious D. supine
full of energy or very powerful
6. As parental confrontation ensues, children are often the_______when they
don't know whom to side with.
A. piggy in the middle B. shooting fish in a barrel
C. beaten dead horse D. lone wolf
someone who is in a difficult situation between two other people who are
arguing
7. That senator is a(n)_______who gets very satisfied with a high-quality square
meal.
A. faddist B. odium C. enclave D. epicure
a person who enjoys high quality food and drink
8. That the accused was acquitted of all charges by the court led to many
people_______.
A. blotting their copybook B. having their dander up
C. getting on their goat D. cutting the cackle
Have/get one’s dander up = to be or to become angry
9._______happens to you when you start to realize the importance and
indispensability of something or someone you rarely pay heed to.
A. Allegory B. Epiphany C. Morass D. Antithesis
a moment when you suddenly feel that you understand, or suddenly
become conscious of, something that is very important to you
10. Woe_______her if she continues to get involved with that group of bullies.
A. betide B. occur C. parry D. present
Woe betide someone = said when there will be trouble for someone, or
someone will be punished, if they do a particular thing
11. People living in a particular society have to show their fidelity to
social_______for fear of societal exclusion.
A. mores B. bursars C. valves D.puffs
the traditional customs and ways of behaving that are typical of a particular
(part of) society
12. Minors need to know the importance of financial management in order not
to_______on good-for-nothing stuff.
A. thrash out B. lay out C. land up D. make out
Lay out on sth = to spend money, especially a large amount
13. The teacher is quite antagonistic towards her, always_______her_______for
even small mistakes.
A. gulping…down B. cutting…out C. poring…over D. pulling…up
Pull someone up for/on/over sth = to tell someone that they have done
something wrong
14. The Imperial Japanese Army’s past brutality in occupied countries can be
manifested in the way they treated women, particularly turning them
into_______women to satiate their lust.
A. comfit B. comfort D. feature D. sloth
women and girls forced into sexual slavery
15. The students played the blame game over the broken vase in their class in an
attempt to_______.
A. beat the rap B. have a screw loose
C. split their sides D. go the whole hog
to escape or avoid blame or punishment
Part 2: Word form
1. _______is a phenomenon in which two or more of a female’s eggs are
fertilized by different men during the same menstrual cycle. (FECUND)
Superfecundation
= a situation in which two or more of a female's eggs are fertilized (= caused
to start to develop) by different males
2. In a bid to stimulate coughing to clear the lungs, parents can have their ill
children use_______. (EXPECT)
expectorants : thuốc long đờm
3. Some people find themselves a(n)_______when it comes to antique collection
while this is deemed a pastime to others. (IGNORE)
ignoramus
= a person who knows nothing
4. Many nations have decided to_______the treaty by the end of this year.
(RATE)
ratify
= to make an agreement official
5. Her_______compliments about my dress make me awkward to some extent as
they sound quite insincere. (SOME)
fulsome
= expressing a lot of admiration or praise for someone, often too much, in a
way that does not sound sincere
 TEST 2
Part 1: Lexico
1. Those suffering from depression should seek psychologists’ advice to
effectively cope with the black_______.
A. dog B. cat C. swan D. bear
The black dog = a way of referring to feelings of depression (= great
sadness and lack of energy)
2. Bitterly cold winter,_______hot summer days and other extreme weather
conditions can be attributed to climate change.
A. deliriously B. piping C. feveredly D. sizzling
Sizzling hot = extremely hot
3. I can only repair simple gadgets, so fixing those with complicated components
in them is_______.
A. in over my head B. above my huckleberry
C. beyond the pale D. a babe in the woods
Exceeding one's knowledge or ability.
4. The locals’ uncooperative behaviors have made the company’s development
projects_______.
A. flounder B. founder C. sap D. snap
to fail or be unsuccessful, because of problems
5. Some of the predictions made by Vanga the soothsayer, which used to be
considered unbelievable, now have proved_______.
A. right on the money B. by a whisker
C. on the rack D. poetic justice
exact or correct
6. She’s a_______child, easily getting upset when someone accidentally
displeases her.
A. factious B. mercurial C. protean D. fractious
easily upset or annoyed, and often complaining
7. The Covid-19 pandemic has indirectly put undue burden on_______carers -
those who have no choice but to look after both the frail elderly and their children
at the same time.
A. sandwich B. burger C. flying D. cheese
Sandwich carer = the one looking after frail and disabled elderly relatives as
well as their own children
8. As she felt fed up to the back teeth with her job, she decided
to_______it_______and treat herself to a stay in the most luxurious hotel in
France.
A. walk…over B. throw…in C. pack…in D. work…off
Pack sth in = to stop doing something
9. His past allegations of tax fraud could_______him during the election.
A. tell against B. man up C. rat out D. farm out
to make someone or something more likely to fail
10. I’m almost finished with my project. I’m on the home_______.
A. stench B. straight C. slice D. stretch
On the home stretch = the last part of something that is being done
11. Ann wanted to visit the pyramids, but her boyfriend wanted to visit the
museum instead and left her. It’s_______.
A. not his cup of tea B. abandon ship
C. his way or the highway D. on the wrong track
One’s way or the highway = used for saying that someone will only accept
their own way of doing something
12. You were totally_______when you could forget such an important thing as
your passport at home.
A. out of commission B. out cold C. out of gas D. out to lunch
slightly crazy or not thinking clearly
13. Having dealt with all the work here, I need to take a rest. I’m_______.
A. out of commission B. out cold C. out of gas D. out to lunch
Completely exhausted, fatigued, or without energy or motivation
14. The dog has recovered from his wounds, seeing that he looks so_______and
lively now.
A. balmy B. frisky C. hortatory D. wimpy
liking to play or full of activity
15. The Internet, once an ideal place for connection and share of knowledge, is
now_______by cybercrime.
A. alloyed B. rescinded C. recoiled D. waxed
to mix with and change something, often in a way that makes it worse or
less valuable
Part 2: Word form
1. He sat there, tired and_______, after knowing that he failed the test again.
(FACE)
long-faced
= having an unhappy or gloomy expression
2. After some_______, she decided to pull out of the risky project. (COG)
cogitation
= the act of thinking very carefully about a subject, or the thoughts
themselves
3. Most people tend to criticize misogyny, unaware that men can also suffer
from_______. (SAND)
misandry
= feelings of hating men >< misogyny
4. Many youngsters derive_______conflicts from a lack of self-identity and role
identity upon reaching adulthood. (PERSON)
intrapersonal
= relating to or within a person's mind
5. John is a man of conceptual_______, always refusing to change his belief
despite new evidence that discredits it. (CONSERVE)
conservatism
Conceptual conservatism = Belief perseverance = maintaining a belief
despite new information that firmly contradicts it
 TEST 3
Part 1: Lexico
1. One _______, though not serious, could indirectly breed bad habits if the culprit
weren't held accountable.
A. arabesque B. peccadillo C. emaciation D. deadlock
a small fault or mistake, or something that someone does wrong that is not
very serious
2. His cynical nature _______from seeing the virtues of others.
A. precludes B. intercept s C. excoriates D. waylays
to prevent something or make it impossible, or prevent someone from doing
something
3. Children are thought to have many aloof expectations and personal values
_______them by parents.
A. foisted upon B. forced on C. chimed with D. adjuncted to
Foist sth on/upon someone = to force someone to have or experience
something unwanted or undesirable
4. Unlike Jen, I can play the guitar, but _______.
A. down to a T B. as a ballpark figure
C. by a factor D. after a fashion
If you can do something after a fashion, you can do it, but not well
5. As it was facing financial difficulties, the company had to _______1000
workers.
A. emboss B. polarize C. deplatform D. furlough
not going to your job, usually temporarily, because your employer does not
have work for you or money to pay you
6. It_______the government to tighten transport laws to limit road accidents.
A. palliates B. harkens C. behooves D. bates
It behooves someone to do sth = it is right for someone to do something
7. My grandmother is not_______, as shown in the way she accepts unorthodox
ideas and values.
A. irreverent B. boorish C. hidebound D. compliant
having fixed opinions and ways of doing things and not willing to change or
be influenced, especially by new or modern ideas
8. My sibling was a bully in the past. He used to_______me_______.
A. push…around B. pick…up C. bounce…off D. map…out
push someone around = to tell someone what to do in a rude or threatening
way
9. She is a(n)_______of virtue, which makes everyone admire her.
A. bard B. canard C. echelon D. paragon
a person or thing that is perfect or has an extremely large amount of a
particular good characteristic
10. As long as you meet the deadline, you can do this assignment one way or
another way. In the long run,_______.
A. fiddle while Rome burns B. it’s slow boat to China
C. it’s Indian summer D. all roads lead to Rome
said to mean that all the methods of doing something will achieve the same
result in the end
11. Why could you say such things to Kris ? You ain’t got the brains God gave a
_______!
A. goose B. squirrel C. monkey D. dolphin
Ain’t got the brains God gave a squirrel = very foolish or lacking common
sense
12. I have finished my work, so I’m going home now. I’m totally_______.
A. done-by B. done-to C. all-in D. all-out
very tired, so you are unable to do anything more
13. The work has been delegated to our team, so it’s time to_______and get
busy.
A. roll up our sleeves B. build a better mousetrap
C. keep a weather eye open D. call hogs
to prepare for hard work
14. Protesters tried to_______the abortion laws enforced by the Supreme Court.
A. take up the cudgels against B. up the ante of
C. have a black mark against D. go to bat against
take up the cudgels for/against someone/something = to argue strongly in
support of, or against, someone or something
15. It is believed that a well-rounded diet and regular exercises will_______our
health.
A. sail for B. lax on C. redound to D. pox on
to have a result that is an advantage to someone or something
Part 2: Word Form
1. He didn’t need any help, he did it by his_______. (LONE)
lonesome
by/on your lonesome = alone
2. People in the country are steered towards sentimentality, so much so that it
grows_______. (SICK)
sickly
= emotional, in an unpleasant or embarrassing way
3. A plan to promote environmentalism _______, which seriously affected the
world’s poor. (FIRE)
misfired
If a plan misfires, it does not have the result that was intended
4. Poverty is one of the main_______of the burgeoning crime rates in many
countries. (SPRING)
wellsprings
= the cause of something
5. In the interests of safety, a President is often protected by sinewy,
_______security guards. (GUN)
gun-toting
= carrying gun

TEST 4
Part 1: Lexico
1. Phonebooks, once reaching virtually all households, have been forced
to_______ with the advent of smart phones.
A. go the way of dodo B. chart a museum piece
C. die on the vine D. fall from power
To become outdated or obsolete
2. Her parents had_______when they heard that she had played truant again.
A. constrictions B. spaz C. infractions D. conniptions
Have conniptions = have a spaz = to be very angry or upset
3. The disruption of global supply chains due to COVID-19 has promoted the
practice of price_______, putting undue financial burden on the poor.
A. usury B. gouging C. drawings D. dough
Price gouging = the practice of increasing the prices of goods, services, or
commodities to a level much higher than is considered reasonable or fair
4. She belongs to the upper class, so she will not_______converse with poor
people.
A. dangle to B. camp to C. deign to D. fall to
to do something unwillingly and in a way that shows that you think you are
too important to do it
5. There’s no need to_______! She owns a toy store, so don’t buy her toys as a
gift.
A. carry coals to Newcastle B. go down the Swanee
C. give a bawling out D. buy her wolf ticket
to supply something to a place or person that already has a lot of that
particular thing
6. She accused the media of character_______after exposing her shameful
private life.
A. killing B. butchery C. assassination D. slaughter
Character assassination = an intentional attempt to spoil the reputation of a
person by criticizing them severely, especially unfairly, in the newspapers
or on television
7. The company started a campaign in which its services were offered_______to
those in need.
A. freely B. well-nigh C. forte D. gratis
free (adv)
8. There was a misconception_______abroad in the past that all planets revolve
around the Earth.
A. pandered B. bruited C. bandied D. truckled
Bruit about / abroad / around = to tell everyone a piece of news
9. You need to_______enough strength to be able to lift that heavy box.
A. muster up B. clock in C. rub up D. jack up
If you muster up a feeling of courage or energy, you try hard to find that
quality in yourself because you need it in order to do something
10. After causing trouble with each other, both men were finally_______outside
the cinema.
A. hauled off B. dolled up C. banged away D. cussed out
Haul someone/something off/away = to take someone or something
somewhere
11. The students have to submit their assignments on time to_______.
A. keep on their toes B. toot their horns
C. save their own hide D. spare their lines
to protect yourself from danger or difficulty, without trying to help other
people
12. My parents often let my younger sister_______the computer, which is unfair.
A. make inroads into B. land a blow on
C. have dibs on D. lay a finger on
a right to have or get something from someone, or to use something
13. The fossil proved to be_______with another one found in the cave, so they
must have existed in the same epoch.
A. incipient B. infirm C. conjunctive D. coeval
of the same age or existing at the same time as another person or thing
14. He_______his skills and knowledge to retain an immense edge over others.
A. dictates to B. digresses from C. confers on D. capitalizes
on
to use a situation to your own advantage
15. Some nations used to be_______into merging with the colonial ones during
warfares.
A. railroaded B. hedged C. entranced D. inveigled
to force something to happen or force someone to do something, especially
quickly or unfairly
Part 2: Word Form
1. A successful man is not just made of perseverance and determination, but also
has the_______to deal with emergencies. (FIRE)
firepower
= the things, such as money or skill, that you need to produce results
2. I don’t get on well with my brother in that we often have a_______with each
other over using video game consoles. (SET)
set-to
= a short argument or fight
3. All my attempts to question the authorities on how to solve certain social
problems were met by_______. (VARY)
prevarications
= the fact of avoiding telling the truth or saying exactly what you think
4. Its enthralling plot notwithstanding, the book turned out a failure in that the
author only developed_______details. (PETTY)
pettifogging
Pettifogging rules or details are too small and not important enough to give
attention to
5. The teacher said she would give a prize to anyone passing the exam with flying
colours, but now she tries to_______on that promise. (PEDAL)
backpedal
to change an opinion that you had expressed before, or do something
different from what you had said you would do
 TEST 5
Part 1: Lexico
1. The party required all guests to _______early and adhere to the dresscode.
A. rock up B. pass off C. cast around D. draw in
to arrive somewhere
2. The mayor will probably have the most_______in a state.
A. juice B. stew C. meat D. cloak
power or influence
3. An employee was believed to be in_______with the manager over
embezzlement of government subsidies.
A. lockstep B. cahoots C. consignment D. nexus
In cahoots with = acting together with others for an illegal or dishonest
purpose
4. He likes to give the children candies and cookies just simply to hear
their_______.
A. wail B. cackle C. hoots D. chortle
a laugh of pleasure and satisfaction
5. Many corporations_______federal officials by promising to share profits earned
from illicit activities with them.
A. suborn B. wrong C. repine D.wimp
Mua chuoc
6. Tourists tend to be_______for money when visiting poor regions.
A. immolated B. fallen C. augured D. importuned
to make repeated, forceful requests for something, usually in a way that is
annoying or causing slight problems
7. Conflicts, crimes and violence can be_______poverty in certain countries.
A. railed against B. inhered to C. imputed to D. interceded for
to say that someone is responsible for something that has happened, or that
something is the cause of something else
8. When anything goes wrong in the office, Sean is always_______by his
colleagues as if it was all his fault.
A. put out to pasture B. thrown to the wolves
C. cast upon the waters D. caught flat-footed
to allow someone to be criticized severely or treated roughly, and not try to
protect them
9. The fact that his wife has cheated on him with his best friend will definitely
set_______.
A. mouths running C. eyes leaping
C. tongues wagging D. noses foxing
If what someone says or does starts tongues wagging, it causes other
people to start talking and guessing things about their private lives
10. Providing a full description of a mysterious, barely seen monster is
like_______.
A. doing a moonlight flit B. swearing black is white
C. nailing jelly to the wall D. braving the bad storm
trying to give exact details for something that it is not possible to know
about exactly
11. _______travel has been the buzzword due to a surge in travellers making up
for lost time during the pandemic.
A. Free B. Vengeance C. Revenge D. Post
People engage in revenge travel to make up for time and experiences lost to
the pandemic
12. Tourism industry has always_______itself as a melting pot, a place of
traditional and cultural integration.
A. billed B. taxed C. braced D. rung
to advertise something with a particular description; to describe someone in
a particular way in order to advertise them or make them known
13. The way she is so_______dressed at the wedding will probably cause
controversy.
A. nattily B. scantily C. loosely D. sprucely
wearing very little clothing
14. The interpreter’s mistranslation did_______in the dealings between two
international companies.
A. touch uncharted waters B. queer the pitch
C. beat the wave D. spike the field
to spoil a chance or an opportunity for someone, often intentionally
15. The motion for a new policy about abortion has been_______in the council
meeting.
A. noodled B. boarded C. fielded D. tabled
to suggest or offer something for discussion
Part 2: Word Form
1. He did_______for all his past sins, just to draw compassion from others. (PEN)
penance
= an act that shows that you feel sorry about something that you have done,
sometimes for religious reasons
2. Doing community work reinforces_______behaviors and sympathy towards
others. (SOCIETY)
prosocial
Prosocial behaviors are those intended to help other people
3. He’s quite careful about daily financial matters, but ready to throw an
extravagant party with his friends, which makes him a penny-wise
and_______person. (POUND)
pound-foolish
be penny-wise and pound-foolish = to be extremely careful about small
amounts of money and not careful enough about larger amounts of money
4. Test-based systems can be_______to creativity and critical thinking. (ENEMY)
inimical
= harmful
5. Bullies often show a_______attitude towards the victims. (MEN)
minatory
= expressing a warning or a threat
 TEST 6
Part 1: Lexico
1. The teacher tried to_______the new student as he looked a little bit nervous.
A. draw out B. puff up C. induct to D. latch onto
draw someone out = to help someone to express their thoughts and feelings
more easily by making that person feel less nervous
2. You’d better not argue the toss with her if you don’t want to be put in
a(n)_______.
A. full nelson B. al fresco C. circuit breaker D. derrick
a bad situation from which it is impossible to escape
3. I literally_______when I received a scholarship offered by Cambridge
University.
A. axed up B. rifled through C. passed out D. aced out
To have good fortune
4. The President promised to take strict measures to_______the country of
corruption and bribery.
A. divest B. excise C. burnish D. purge
to get rid of people from an organization because you do not agree with
them
to get rid of something unwanted, harmful, or evil
5. The police force needed someone to_______and rescue the kidnapped from
that criminal.
A. chew the rag B. save the lion’s den
C. bell the cat D. chase the goose
to be brave enough to do something that will be good for a group that you
are part of, but is dangerous or difficult
6. Some critics praised “The Idol” film, whilst others_______it as utterly obscene.
A. panned B. roiled C. slaked D. ribbed
to criticize something severely
7. All siblings in this family really love each other; they are close as_______.
A. two dots in line B. two coats of paint
B. two peas in pot C. two pieces of hair
(as) close as two coats of paint = Having a very close relationship;
inseparable
8. Persuading so famous a movie star as him to play a role in that film is
no_______.
A. cum laude B. magnum opus
C. lead-pipe cinch D. mugshot
something very easy or certain
9. It was_______insolence not to interrupt people when they are talking.
A. clean B. rank C. outstanding D. fine
(adv) = complete or extreme
10. Instead of pouring lots of money into space exploration, a government should
pay more attention to certain social problems sitting_______.
A. exceptional B. outstanding C. high D. odorous
not yet paid, solved, or done
11. She seems to have the “rich mom” energy, being able to_______millions of
dollars a year.
A. raffle off B. streak past C. go around D. pull down
to earn a stated amount of money
12. Since the senator has been willing at any cost, his victory can be
a_______one: he might win the election, but simultaneously lose his reputation as
a man of integrity.
A. Pyrrhic B. Rascal C. Dowdy D. Perfective
a victory that is not worth winning because the winner has lost so much in
winning it
13. Don’t underestimate him ! He used to be a_______at tennis.
A. bugbear B. hotshot C. mixer D. visage
someone who is skilful and successful at something
14. All the solutions for current economic issues proposed by two parties are
nothing more than_______, for they cannot bring long-term benefits.
A. melanges B. tropes C. nostrums D. fuddles
nostrum = an idea for solving a problem, especially one that is not very
good
15. Act your age, man! You have reached adulthood, you’re no_______.
A. day person B. cow juice
C. young cat D. spring chicken
a young person; usually used in negative contexts to say someone is no
longer young
Part 2: Word Form
1. After years of suffering from domestic violence, she decided to escape from
this_______marriage. (STAR)
ill-starred / star-crossed
= unlucky and unsuccessful
2. Many people are opposed to death sentences, thereby requesting a_______of
it. (MUTE)
commutation
= the act of changing a punishment to one that is less severe
3. That national coffers are channeled into such key industries as education,
technology and so forth will_______national development. (CHARGE)
supercharge
= to make something more powerful or impressive
4. A large number of young people today are completely_______ - their skills and
knowledge are not truly used for much-needed purposes. (EMPLOY)
misemployed
misemploy = to employ a worker in a way that is not right or useful
5. Recently, there has been a lack of unanimity on several subjects among group
members, which may escalate to the point where_______ and loss of
membership ensue. (FIGHT)
infighting
= competition between people within a group, especially to improve their
own position or to get agreement for their ideas
 TEST 7
Part 1: Lexico
1. He confessed and accepted the punishment given by the court as a way
to_______his guilt.
A. exculpate B. ossify C. expiate D. abscise
to show that you are sorry for bad behaviour by doing something or
accepting punishment
2. He is known to be_______money and doesn’t know how to spend all of that.
A. swimming in B. replete with C. taken with D. walking on
to have too much of something
3. Having withheld his inner thoughts for such a long time, he decided
to_______himself to his best friends about all his problems.
A. inure B. externalize C. unbosom D. debus
Unbosum oneself to someone = To share one's deepest or most intimate
emotions, thoughts, or secrets with someone else, especially in a profuse or
sudden manner
4. Her hatred towards her step-mother mounted to the point where she
could_______at her.
A. doff the hat B. cock a snook
C. give cold sober D. throw a loop
Cock a snook at someone/sth = to do something intentionally to show you
have no respect for someone or something
5. I got the concert ticket_______right before the website went down.
A. under the table B. under the wire
C. under the spell D. under the string
If someone does something under the wire, they do it at the last possible
moment
6. With the authority_______him, the Prime Minister is eligible to take measures,
violence included, to stop the protesters.
A. vested in B. bestowed on C. wormed into D. trusted in
if power or authority is vested in someone, they are officially given that
power or authority
7. Although they are twins, they are_______in virtually everything.
A. worlds apart B. streams apart C. pages apart D. seas apart
Be worlds apart = to be completely opposed or different:
8. Her_______cries of her mother’s death really ached my heart.
A. contrite B. tricorn C. decadent D. plaintive
used to describe something that sounds slightly sad
9. The company is set to go_______in their production of cosmetics due to their
preoccupation with other projects.
A. kibosh B. pariah C. dirge D. hiatus
a short pause in which nothing happens or is said, or a space where
something is missing
10. He is a child living in indulgence, so much so that he grows arrogant
and_______, never obeying rules.
A. intransigent B. refractory C. chirpy D. base
difficult to control; unwilling to obey
11. Seeing her win the competition, he showed a sense of admiration
_______jealousy.
A. redolent of B. weighed against C. tinged with D. strewn with
having a very slight amount of a colour or of a feeling
12. Before the truth comes to light, you shouldn’t_______with harsh criticisms
against someone.
A. barge in B. wade in C. head forward D. settle in
to start to do or say something in a forceful way, often without thinking
about it carefully
13. Self-reflection is important before you want to criticize someone, otherwise it’s
like the pot calling the_______black.
A. kernel B. kettle C. pen D. pig
The pot calling the kettle black = something you say that means people
should not criticize someone else for a fault that they have themselves
14. Christine rode her bike recklessly and fell, which eventually_______on her
legs.
A. threw shapes B. did a number
C. did a double take D. threw a sickie
Do a number on someone = to injure someone or something, or to hurt or
embarrass someone
15. An educational reform would bring a_______in the current educational
system.
A. world change B. gear change C. red change D. sea change
a complete change
Part 2: Word Form
1. Chinese children are often_______by their parents just to be called “a talented
child” by other people. (HOUSE)
hothoused
Hothouse = to give a child a lot of extra teaching or training in an activity or
subject, because you want them to be very good at it
2. Despite lacking necessary qualifications, a_______is still able to perform tasks
to which certified teachers are entitled. (PROFESSION)
paraprofessional
= a person who has some training in a job such as teaching or law, but does
not have all the qualifications to be a teacher, lawyer, etc.
3. Sexual harassment in public places is considered a social_______. (SOLE)
solecism
= behaviour that is a social mistake or is not polite
4. The unique content of this_______book has made it popular with the young.
(WALL)
off-the-wall
= surprising and unusual
5. He is now only a political_______ - no fame, no media attention, just a retired
man. (BEEN)
has-been
= a person who in the past was famous, important, admired, or good at
something, but is no longer any of these
 TEST 8
Part 1: Lexico
1. Poor workers are exploited to make money for rich people who then use it
to_______themselves in luxuries.
A. immure B. ensconce C. mire D. adulate
Ensconce yourself = to make yourself very comfortable or safe in a place or
position
2. A person might experience_______unemployment when he quits the first job
and spend some time looking for a second one.
A. natural B. frictional C. dissent D. ordinal
Frictional unemployment = unemployment (= the state of not having a job)
that exists because someone has left a job and not yet found or started
another
3. We can all contribute a small sum of money into the_______to help sick
people.
A. kitty B. piggy C. nitty D. mickey
= an amount of money that is made up of small amounts given by different
people, used by them for an agreed purpose
4. You can have someone help you with the homework, or do it_______.
A. under your own steam B. under your belt
C. on your hand D. on your own steam
If you do something under your own steam, you do it without help
5. During the economic meltdown, the government’s decision to raise tax rates
has_______.
A. raised people’s oats B. run rings around people
C. raised hell D. made people’s gorge rise
Make one’s gorge rise = to make someone feel shocked and angry
6. Why are you just_______and doing nothing ? Get to work !
A. hammering away B. hacking around
C. horsing about D. frittering away
to engage in aimless activity; spend time idly
7. I’m really_______after having to do so much heavy work.
A. sagged out B. matted down C. fagged out D. flat out
tired and bored
8. Several male scientists became successful_______of their female counterparts
who didn’t even get credited for their inventions.
A. under the aegis B. under the saddles
C. on the coat-tails D. on the broad shoulders
to have one's success dependent on that of someone else
9. Many people, dead or alive, were_______in the rubble of the collapsed
buildings after the earthquake.
A. corrugated B. molted C. hatched D. entombed
Entomb = to bury someone or something
10. She went completely_______when he admitted to having forgotten the date
meeting.
A. berserk B. rash C. fatous D. tepid
very angry or out of control
11. The company is teetering on fiscal abyss as its debt has, in fact,_______to
millions of dollars.
A. genned up B. pepped up C. move over D. totted up
to have a particular number or amount as a total when added up
12. To prevent serious damage done by the upcoming storm, the city decided
to_______big branches of old trees on the streets.
A. lop off B. pound into C. hammer out D. rack off
Lop sth off = to cut something off in one quick movement
13. The lecturer’s presentation did_______into students’ understanding of some
physical theories.
A. put a jam B. kick the guts
C. pack a punch D. gird up a loin
to have a lot of force or a great effect
14. To prevent cheating in exams, each class will be_______by two teachers.
A. carped B. wheedled C. proctored D. distended
= invigilate = to watch people taking an exam in order to check that they do
not cheat
15. Although thought to be the culprit for the crime, John came up_______when
the evidence came to light.
A. smelling of roses B. a hatchet man
C. to the salt mines D. down the chute
Come up smelling of roses = to have people believe that you are good and
honest after a difficult situation that could have made you seem bad or
dishonest
Part 2: Word Form
1. It seems that Germany only_______some pollution-inducing factories instead
of permanently closing them as it promised before. (BALL)
mothballed
Mothball = to stop work on an idea, plan, or job, but leaving it in such a way
that you can start on it again at some point in the future
2. _______was a practice of marriage popular with certain isolated societies
where communication with other communities was poor. (GAME)
endogamy
= the fact or custom of having marriage only between members of the same
group
3. The problem has become so complicated that it turns_______, which needs
much time and effort to solve. (TREAT)
intractable
= very difficult or impossible to control, manage, or solve
4. On Christmas Eve, children would like to have their house_______lights and
flowers. (FEAST)
festooned
festoon sth with sth = to decorate a room or other place for a special
occasion by hanging coloured paper, lights, or flowers around it, especially
in curves
5. Such was a_______that he dared to embezzle millions of dollars from the
organization. (DESPAIR)
desperado
= someone who is willing to do things that involve risk or danger, often
criminal things
 TEST 9
Part 1: Lexico
1. Pension can be paid in the form of_______sum payment instead of payment on
separate occasions.
A. tidy B. plum C. lump D. severed
lump sum = an amount of money that is paid in one large amount on one
occasion
2. Fiat’s_______version of its popular small car can limit the noisy sound of the
engines.
A. brothed-up B. dredged-up C. sopped-up D. souped-up
A souped-up vehicle or machine has been made more powerful or faster by
having changes made to it
3. Helen fabricated a story that didn’t make even a(n)_______of sense.
A. ounce B. pound C. oz D. weigh
a very small amount
4. When people consider to_______to each other, they often neglect certain
important matters.
A. go ballistic B. plight the troth
C. work the kinks D. tie hand and foot
to (promise to) marry
5. A pitbull, if not well-trained, can ferociously_______other people when
approached.
A. lope B. maul C. filch D. goad
If an animal mauls someone, it attacks that person and injures them with its
teeth or claws (= long sharp nails)
6. A decrease in sales forced the car firm to_______on some fiscal subjects.
A. purloin B. decoy C. retrench D. grill
If governments, companies, etc. retrench, they start spending less money,
or reducing costs
7. Elvis won’t be in charge of the show in the next season, but she
had_______and it’s time for the young to take over.
A. a good scout B. a gold star
C. a good figure D. a good innings
If you say that someone has had a good innings, you mean that they have
had a long and successful life
8. She had to deal with the_______task of maintaining her work-life balance in
this hectic life.
A. herculean B. wholesale C. parlous D. acerbic
= exacting = needing great strength and determination
9. I_______the seller over the price of that piece of meat.
A. dickered wich B. daubed with C. emblazoned with D. tangled with
to argue with someone, especially about the price of goods
10. He was so hungry that he_______the lunch within minutes.
A. polished up B. binged at C. guzzled down D. scarfed
down
to eat a lot of food quickly
11. The thief was_______for weeks before getting caught by the police.
A. on dead center B. on the lam
C. on the ranch D. on target
escaping, especially from the police
12. Witnesses who do not cooperate with the cop to trace the murderers will be
charged with being a(n)_______.
A. helter-skelter B. accessory after the fact
C. accessory before the fact D. accessory pathway
someone who helps someone after that person has committed a crime, for
example by hiding them from the police
13. Our discussion of patriotism quickly_______the subject of jingoism.
A. bluffed into B. transmuted into C. muffled into D. segued into
to move easily and without interruption from one piece of music, part of a
story, subject, or situation to another
14. The government should_______and deal with current environmental issues
for the sake of general welfare.
A. join the fray B. jump the shark
C. grasp the nettle D. catch the zeds
to force yourself to be brave and do something that is difficult or unpleasant
15. In the current economic downturn, many companies have to cut their
expenses by imposing a salary_______.
A. freeze B. breakdown C. hoarding D. flop
pay freeze = wage freeze = a situation in which a company stops increasing
employees' pay because of financial difficulties
Part 2: Word Form
1. We don’t want to let outsiders know about our project, so we carry it
out_______. (HOUSE)
in-house
Nội bộ
2. He was in a(n)_______state for months after his wife’s death. (WORK)
overwrought
= in a state of being upset, nervous, and worried
3. The administrator’s plan to reform the whole system didn’t_______, which
caused much discontentment and hatred. (FRUIT)
fructify
= to produce a good or useful result
4. War, bloodshed and violence are still a thing in_______countries. (CONFLICT)
conflict-riven/conflict-ridden
5. A salesman usually uses irresistible blandishments and plausible arguments
to_______people into buying his costly, shabby products. (TALK)
fast-talk
= to persuade people with a lot of quick, clever, but usually dishonest talk
 TEST 10
Part 1: Lexico
1. With all her dreams of a happy life shattered, she’s now trapped in
a_______marriage.
A. cathartic B. hex C. sibylline D. sham
only pretending to be real; false
2. The news was given in the most_______form so as not to cause controversy.
A. anodyne B. bumptious C. vituperable D. decorous
intended to avoid causing offence or disagreement, especially by not
expressing strong feelings or opinions
3. That dress must have cost a king’s_______, considering you always wear
luxury clothes.
A. packet B. crown C. scepter D. ransom
a king’s ransom = a large amount of money
4. The city was_______tourists, which caused traffic bottlenecks everywhere.
A. straddling of B. crawling with C. running with D. strutting of
be crawling with something = to be completely covered with or full of a
particular type of thing
5. Now that his book has become the best-seller in the market, the author seems
to be_______.
A. sitting pretty B. bathing in clover
C. on the money roll D. playing comfort
in a good situation
6. The lockdown built a distance, be it emotional or physical, between them,
causing their relationship to_______.
A. noddle off B. gag down C. fizzle out D. cop out
to gradually end, often in a disappointing or weak way
7. My mother is going to_______when she finds out that I have broken her
favourite glass.
A. crank out B. flip out C. dry off D. war in
to become extremely angry or to lose control of yourself from surprise or
shock
8. If people_______on their house rents for months, they will get evicted and even
sued for their breach of contract.
A. slip B. occult C. paddle D. default
to fail to do something, such as pay a debt, that you legally have to do
9. Wage cutting can be a(n)_______measure : It facilitates management during
financial difficulties, but at times turns unfair for the workers.
A. implacable B. vile C. expedient D. sordid
helpful or useful in a particular situation, but sometimes not morally
acceptable
10. It was_______for months, but our company managed to get out of fiscal
abyss.
A. boon and bane B. gas and gaiters
C. nip and tuck D. bitter and twisted
If a situation is nip and tuck, someone or something in that situation comes
very close to failing or ending
11. You can buy this newest line of cars with two computers_______.
A. thrown in B. padded out C. mulcted in D. enjoined with
If a person or business selling goods throws something in, they provide it
for free when you buy something else from them
12. He was_______by a group of students from another school on his way back
home.
A. pushed off B. done over C. cut in D. slapped out
do someone over = to attack someone violently
13. She’s so obsessed with her body and literally a gym_______ready to spend a
great deal of time in the gym.
A. bull B. rabbit C. horse D. rat
= gym bunny = someone who spends a lot of time exercising in the gym,
and who cares very much about the shape and condition of their body
14. Judy is so crooked as a(n)_______’s hind leg that she gains no trust from
everyone.
A. donkey B. cat C. dog D. ox
crooked as a dog’s hind leg = Very unscrupulous and deceptive
15. A majority of individuals today head towards a common goal : To work flat out
to obtain the_______of life.
A. creature comforts B. sweet fruits
C. silver foils D. comfort breaks
things that make life more pleasant, such as good food and a comfortable
place to live
Part 2: Word Form
1. He was chosen as the_______on environment-related issues by the
organization. (RAPPORT)
rapporteur
= someone chosen by an organization to prepare reports of meetings or to
investigate and report on a problem
2. She avoided accusations of_______by appointing several women to prominent
positions in the party. (TOKEN)
tokenism
= something that a person or organization does that seems to support or
help a group of people who are treated unfairly in society, such as giving a
member of that group an important or public position, but which is not
meant to make changes that would help that group of people in a lasting
way
3. She usually adopts a(n)_______approach in her negotiation, and will go to
great lengths to come out with a good contract. (HOLD)
no-holds-barred
= without any limits or controls
4. He’s a_______, so don’t invite him to the party ! (SPORT)
spoilsport
= a person who stops other people from enjoying themselves
5. This horror movie was really_______with a bunch of jump scares and
gruesome scenes ! (BLOOD)
bloodcurdling
= causing a feeling of extreme fear
 TEST 11
Part 1: Lexico
1. I was completely_______the day before I had an interview.
A. in a lather C. in the gusher
C. at a rime D. on spec
to be or become very worried or nervous about something
2. Mind your own business ! Don’t let yourself_______any minor problems.
A. in for B. out for C. up against D. up with
let oneself in for sth = to become involved in a difficult or unpleasant
situation without intending to
3. His car broke down on his way to the office his morning, after which he was
robbed of money. For him, life is just a_______.
A. bed of roses B. canvas of colours
C. bowl of cherries D. vase of flowers
life is just a bowl of cherries = something that you say that means that life is
very pleasant. This phrase is often used humorously to mean the opposite
4. The instant the charity was exposed to fraud, embezzlement and bribery,
employees quitted their jobs like_______deserting a sinking ship.
A. goats B. birds C. fish D. rats
like rats deserting a sinking ship = used to refer to people leaving a place,
organization, activity, etc. very quickly and in large numbers, because it is
failing in some way
5. The celebrity showed so much confidence and straightforwardness that it
became to_______.
A. wrench B. cloy C. bulge D. dross
to become annoying or too much, after seeming pleasant or enjoyable at
first
6. Lisa has turned into a real_______, to the extent that I can’t anticipate her
mood and thoughts at any time.
A. Finley and Fanny B. Beatrice and Adah
C. Jekyll and Hyde D. Molly and Zoe
a person with two very different sides to their personality, one good and the
other evil
7. Noah was_______with grief and exhaustion after being dumped by his
girlfriend.
A. cantle B. trundle C. midget D. prostrate
prostrate(d) oneself = having lost all strength or all determination because
of an illness or an extremely bad experience
8. Since he’s as straight as a_______, everyone can count on him to exactly
recount the story.
A. die B. ramrod C. life D. prick
completely honest
9. The manager refused to have certain labor rights_______the contract.
A. tacked on B. topped onto C. tailed after D. pasted to
to add something extra to something
10. Term papers, adults’ expectations and peer pressure all_______the pressure
to strive for excellence at school.
A. gander up B. crank up C. level up D. put up
to increase or improve something
11. Kyle_______all night to take after her sick mom at the hospital, which is the
reason for the dark circles around her eyes.
A. stood up B. sat up C. eyed up D. ran up
to stay awake and not go to bed although it is late
12. When will you stop sowing your_______and start a serious commitment to a
relationship ?
A. blue yonder B. calf love C. mustard seed D. wild oats
If a young man sows his wild oats, he has a period of his life when he does a
lot of exciting things and has a lot of sexual relationships
13. Carly Rae Jepsen’s singing career reached its_______upon the release of
“Call me maybe” song.
A. poltroon B. jeremiad C. apotheosis D. hauteur
the best or most extreme example of something
14. The judge’s decision to give him only a 5-year sentence drew a_______of
revulsions and denouncement.
A. bromide B. vendetta C. groundswell D. palliation
a growth of strong feeling among a large group of people
15. Hundreds of extreme vegetarians joined a_______for 2 days to show their
opposition to eating meat.
A. rough B. ritual C. fast D. fresh
a period of time when you eat no food
Part 2: Word Form
1. The beach, once so pristine, has now been_______by the accelerated growth
of tourism. (FILE)
defiled
defile = to spoil something or someone so that that thing or person is less
beautiful or pure
2. The fact that women today still struggle for top positions reflects a_______of
social equity. (VEST)
travesty
(trá hình) = something that fails to represent the values and qualities that it
is intended to represent, in a way that is shocking or offensive
3. The fixed_______guarantees the principal and provides a lifetime income after
retirement. (ANNUAL)
annuity
= a fixed amount of money paid to someone every year, usually until their
death, or the insurance agreement or investment that provides the money
that is paid
4. Excessive industrialization and fast-pacing human life have wrought
a_______destruction on the environment. (WANT)
wanton
= extreme and showing no care at all
5. I believe that a(n)_______cooperation between different religions can be
promoted in the name of globalization. (FAITH)
interfaith
= relating to activities involving members of different religions
 TEST 12
Part 1: Lexico
1. He_______of her mother after she realized that he was lying to her.
A. ruffled the feathers B. touched the hard nuts
C. recalled blood streaks D. robbed the cats
to upset or annoy someone
2. If the Ministry found performance-enhancing drugs in his body, he would be
definitely_______.
A. in the hot trot B. after closed bars
C. for the high jump D. over the grope
to be going to be punished for something you have done wrong
3. With the technological advances today, Scientists anticipate that AI would
dominate the market_______.
A. down the track B. at one swoop
C. in a tick D. for a naught
down the road/line/track = in the future
4. I brought my_______in the test and finally scraped through it successfully.
A. best punch B. secret sauce
C. best vice D. A game
the best performance that someone is able to produce
5. Anna receives an allowance of $5_______.
A. per se B. per mien C. per head D. per diem
= for each day
6. Be careful of your speech during the meeting, and don’t drop any_______.
A. slick B. clanger C. cent D. gander
to do or say something that makes you feel embarrassed
7. Children need to learn life skills that facilitates their independent life when they
sever the_______and live far from their parents.
A. arteries B. tight gland C. umbilical cord D. fallopian tube
cut/ sever the umbilical cord = to stop being dependent on something or
someone else
8. She is always bragging about her fancy dress, but it turns out it is not worth
even_______
A. a red cent B. two cents C. fifty cents D. a cent cigar
no money at all
9. The whole company was_______after the CEO’s resignation last Monday.
A. in a stitherum B. in a stupor
C. on dark air D. on jiffy
In a state of excitement, confusion, or upset
10. My computer has been on the blink recently, and it was as slow as_______.
A. morsels B. molasses C. sloths D. worms
extremely slow
11. We_______to our grandparents before going back to the city.
A. paid divot B. ran amok
C. sang snit D. bade adieu
bid adieu to someone/ sth = say goodbye
12. Investment in multifacets, coupled with a profound understanding, would be a
great way to_______and save you from market volatility.
A. get true stripes B. dance your cards
C. march the fire D. hedge your bets
to protect yourself against loss by supporting more than one possible result
or both sides in a competition
13. Even if you meet your_______, you will still gain more experiences, suss out
your weakness, and strive for the better.
A. Pisa B. Colosseum C. Giza D. Waterloo
to be defeated by someone who is too strong for you or by a problem that is
too difficult for you
14._______problems are typical when you get involved in a project, but
everything will be plain sailing once you have overcome them.
A. heading B. nosing C. footing D. teething
problems that happen in the early stages of doing something new
15. Children were enthralled by the prospect of a picnic in New York, but our plan
for a holiday there finally came_______.
A. unglued B. unpaired C. unpacked D. untied
to experience difficulties and fail
Part 2: Word Form
1. North Korea looks set to use_______tactic towards America to claim their
sovereignty. (SABER)
saber-rattling
= talking and behaving in a way that threatens military action
2. Both countries_______violence and hatred prior to forming allegiances with
one another. (SWEAR)
forswear
= to make a serious decision to stop doing something
3. Recent scandals have tarnished the band’s reputation, making their
concerts_______with little support from people. (TIME)
small-time
= not very successful or important
4. The_______effects caused by deforestation could run large-scale if not
controlled. (SPILL)
spillover
= the effects of an activity that have spread further than was originally
intended
5. This old house brings some sense of charm, but it is too_______to stay long.
(AGE)
age-worn
= worn down by age
 TEST 13
Part 1: Lexico
1. J.K Rowling’s career achieved its_______with Harry Potter that reached
millions of people worldwide.
A. apogee B. elixir C. nadir D. innuendo
the most successful, popular, or powerful point
2. Lucas was_______on charges of spreading anti-government contents and
sabotaging national legacies.
A. arraigned B. calumniated C. conferred D. defenestrated
to formally accuse someone in a law court of a particular crime and ask that
person to say if they are guilty or not
3. She has always been a(n)_______member of the STEM club, so she deserves
to be the future president.
A. titular B. loaded C. infirm D. stalwart
loyal, especially for a long time; able to be trusted
4. You are always_______! Be more optimistic and live your life to the fullest !
A. bloated B. bilious C. agnostic D. subdued
If someone is bilious, they are always in a bad mood
5. A country wherein people of different races, parties, and religions cannot live in
harmony may experience incessant_______wars.
A. interlude B. interregnum C. interstratified D. internecine
Internecine war or fighting happens between members of the same group,
religion, or country
6. A deluge of obscenity, misinformation and toxicity on the Internet
can_______public morals.
A. deplane B. decamp C. debauch D. defoliate
to destroy or damage something so that it is no longer considered good or
moral
7. The Health Ministry needs to take urgent steps against a contagious disease
when it is still_______.
A. soggy B. nascent C. hapless D. meanderine
only recently formed or started, but likely to grow larger quickly
8. This book is at its most_______as if it was written only for experts and
scientists.
A. recondite B. quixotic C. rational D. extant
not known about by many people and difficult to understand
9. The_______city councilman was an easy target for underworld bribery.
A. mercurial B. venal C. disinterested D. winsome
willing to behave in a way that is not honest or moral in exchange for money
10. The generous streak does not run in the man’s blood who always shows
growing_______by prioritizing money over any other things.
A. magnanimity B. bathos C. cupidity D. affability
a strong feeling of wanting to have something, especially money or
possessions
11. Wrinkles and_______features are signs of old age.
A. wizened B. grimy C. chagrined D. mortified
small and having dry skin with lines in it, especially because of old age
12. The comedy was_______funny and we couldn’t stop laughing.
A. splittingly B. deliriously C. riotously D. boisterously
in a very loud and uncontrolled way that is full of energy
13. The large and diverse meal options made the starvin men look_______.
A. sardonically B. agog C. wearily D. disaffected
excited and eager to know or see more
14. When the bickering grew louder, they_______the meeting to retain what little
civility remained.
A. protracted B. deferred C. suspended D. adjourned
to have a pause or rest during a formal meeting or trial
15. Many Vietnamese revolutionists used to be_______in Con Dao prison during
the war.
A. interred B. interned C. straw-manned D. jambed
to put someone in prison for political or military reasons, especially during a
war
Part 2: Word Form
1. Many poor women make themselves a(n)_______bride just to wish to be
chosen by a rich man. (ORDER)
mail-order
A mail-order bride is a woman who lists herself in catalogs and is selected
by a man for marriage
2. He sees himself as a highly-skilled swimmer, but eventually showed
a(n)_______maladroitness at this sport. (SINGLE)
singular
of an unusual quality or standard; noticeable
3. He admitted to still loving her, and_______her into rekindling this love. (TALK)
sweet-talked
a way of talking to someone in a pleasing or funny way in order to persuade
them to do or believe something
4. An ideal educational paradigm should nurture innovation instead of following
the policy of_______. (CONFORM)
conformism
the fact or policy of behaving or thinking like everyone else, rather than
being different
5. The CEO adopted a(n)_______approach in which he let managers administer
all the company’s matters. (HAND)
hands-off
dealing with situations and people in a way that allows others to make
decisions
 TEST 14
Part 1: Lexico
1. The criminal’s family_______his heinous thought of murdering the victim just to
satiate his beastly desire.
A. quailed at B. recoiled against C. flapped against D. fritted at
to feel or show fear; to want to be able to move away from something
because you fear it
2. He promised to meet me, but at last he_______me_______.
A. stood…up B. backed…down C. gave…off D. flied…away
to intentionally fail to meet someone when you said you would, especially
someone you were starting to have a romantic relationship with
3. It was midday and the sun was_______.
A. sneaking in B. burning down C. beating down D. talking up
If the sun beats down, it shines very strongly and makes the air very hot
4. The story has been_______from town to town.
A. tanked up B. racked out C. cadged around D. bandied
about
to talk about something without careful consideration
5. Having waited for so long, the hungry, excited children_______the feast when
the party began.
A. fulled up B. gagged on C. tucked in D. hemmed in
to start eating something eagerly
6. My uncle_______when he heard the awful news.
A. threw up B. broke down C. called in D. tamped away
to be unable to control your feelings and to start to cry
7. The robber quickly_______his heels after having done the work.
A. put on B. took to C. ran on D. tapped to
take to one’s heels = to quickly run away
8. A side job can help you_______an extra hundred dollars a month.
A. bring in B. hold out C. jab out D. take down
to make money
9. He_______his wallet, hoping that Ken would pay the bill.
A. digged in B. scour over C. caged in D. fumbled for
to do something awkwardly, especially when using your hands
10. My schedule is quite hectic now, but I hope I could_______her tomorrow.
A. fill in B. squeeze in C. stay on D. stub on
squeeze someone in = see someone in a short period of time or when you
are very busy
11. It was a(n)_______that we live in the same neighborhood, have the same
name and study in the same school.
A. even chance B. quirk of fate C. twist of turn D. perk of life
a strange and unexpected event
12. The politician’s promises to breathe new life into the city smack of_______.
A. hot air B. pink lies C. gospel truth D. faux pas
If something that someone says is hot air, it is not sincere and will have no
practical results
13. Conservative individuals are more prone to get trapped into a(n)_______.
A. idée milieu B. greener pasture C. red room D. echo
chamber
a situation in which people only hear opinions of one type, or opinions that
are similar to their own
14. The patient’s diseased organs continued to_______despite the doctors’ efforts
to stem the tide of the illness.
A. invigorate B. atrophy C. emasculate D. sustain
to become weaker
emasculate + sth
15. The angry customer’s_______was full of personal verbal attacks.
A. invective B. eulogy C. encomium D. discourse
criticism that is very forceful, unkind, and often rude
Part 2: Word Form
1. Legislation is often written in_______that is barely comprehensible. (LEGAL)
legalese
= words and expressions typically used in legal documents that most
people find difficult to understand
2. Having nothing to do within a day, I gradually sink into_______. (ANNOY)
ennui
= a feeling of being bored and mentally tired caused by having nothing
interesting or exciting to do
3. The suggestion was taken under_______and a reply would be expected within
2 weeks. (ADVICE)
advisement
take sth under advisement = to consider something such as advice or
information carefully
4. Foreign investors remain_______about the collaboration between two
commercial entities. (BEAR)
bearish
= expecting that something will not be successful
5. Career_______is a result of work ethics, valuable contributions and moral
virtues. (PREFER)
preferment
= the process by which someone receives a more important job, position,
etc.
 TEST 15
Part 1: Lexico
1. They feigned sympathy, and laughed up their_______for his being reprimanded
by the teacher.
A. sock B. sleeve C. shirt D. collar
laugh up one’s sleeve = to secretly find something funny
2. When it comes to science exploration, she knows her_______.
A. garlics B. onions C. cherries D. cans
know one’s onions/stuff = to have good practical skills and knowledge in a
particular activity or subject
3. When the doctor walked into the waiting room, his_______face made it clear
that the surgery didn’t go as planned.
A. hedonistic B. fetid C. lugubrious D. congenial
sad and serious
4. Let’s get down to_______and decide who will lead the team.
A. fast tracks B. grass grounds C. green feelers D. brass tacks
to start talking about the most important or basic facts of a situation
5. She went to the trouble to_______with those bullying her in the past.
A. settle the score B. play even game
C. have a screw loose D. tie the slack
do something to someone because that person did something harmful or
insulting to you in the past
6. The suspect was accused of plotting to steal millions from his company until
his_______was discovered.
A. obeisance B. subterfuge C. torpor D. pretext
a trick or a dishonest way of achieving something
7. She is a_______bore and can only maintain a small circle of friends.
A. crashing B. hopping C. madding D. hashing
someone or something that is extremely boring
8. People always_______unimportant matters whilst all they can do is to just
ignore them.
A. ramble on B. sell out C. pull off D. carp about
to complain about unimportant matters
9. The professor’s sharp voice_______on her, and she was unsure if she could
remain in the class.
A. waxed B. jaded C. soothed D. grated
grate on someone = annoy someone
10. He loves to_______his grandchildren with wild stories of his childhood on the
frontier.
A. berate B. deliberate C. regale D. Saturnize
Regale someone with sth = to entertain someone with stories or jokes
11. He walked around and peered through the store’s window, as if he
was_______.
A. planning the windmill B. tilting on table
C. paving the throat D. casing the joint
to look at a place with the intention of stealing from it later
12. This is like a competitive arms race where 100 applicants will be_______to
only 15.
A. bogged down B. winnowed down C. galloped down D. flaked down
to reduce a large number of people or things to a much smaller number by
judging their quality
13. The phone number was_______, and had not been in use for years.
A. overwhelming B. defunct C. portentous D. Execrable
no longer existing, living, or working correctly
14. Although it was a finely crafted item of superior quality, the ring was no
mere_______.
A. bauble B. amity C. dowry D. heirloom
a piece of bright but cheap jewellery
15. The voters could easily detect the_______of the political candidate, who
always prefers falsehoods.
A. overturn B. meander C. sophistry D. euphemism
the clever use of arguments that seem true but are really false, in order to
deceive people
Part 2 : Word Form
1. Tight bonds between different societies within a nation would be a media to
form_______national union. (IRON)
iconclad
= impossible to change or weaken
2. After working many days without rest, he finally succumbed to a state
of_______. (LATE)
lassitude
= physical or mental tiredness
3. His promises of economic growth are so_______that they are nothing better
than outright lies. (MERE)
meretricious
= seeming attractive but really false or of little value
4. This book is full of_______details, focusing on the dangerous adventures
experienced by the author. (PIQUE)
piquant
interesting and exciting, especially because of being mysterious
5. The world would be a better place if there was a(n)_______between nature
and man. (POISE)
equipoise
= balance
6. Don’t worry ! Your_______talents in skating would find their place on the global
stage one day. (SELL)
undersold
= made to seem less attractive or effective than something really is