What is the meaning of the idiom 'to bite off more than one can chew'?
- A. To be overly confident
- B. To take on more than one can handle
- C. To be easily discouraged
- D. To be meticulous in planning
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'To bite off more than one can chew' means to take on more than one can handle or to undertake a task exceeding one's capabilities. This idiom warns against overcommitting oneself and facing difficulties in managing the workload effectively. Choice A, 'To be overly confident,' is incorrect as the idiom implies a situation of overestimating one's capacity rather than confidence. Choice C, 'To be easily discouraged,' is not related to the idiom's meaning, which focuses on task difficulty rather than emotional response. Choice D, 'To be meticulous in planning,' is not accurate as the idiom refers to the execution of tasks rather than the planning phase.
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The important decision will be made tomorrow. Which word is the comparative form of the adjective 'important'?
- A. important
- B. importantly
- C. more important
- D. most important
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In this sentence, 'important' is the positive form of the adjective. When comparing two things, the comparative form is used, which is 'more important' in this case. 'More important' indicates a higher degree of importance when comparing two things. Therefore, 'more important' is the correct comparative form of the adjective 'important' in this context. Choice A ('important') is the positive form, not the comparative form. Choice B ('importantly') is an adverb, not a comparative form of the adjective. Choice D ('most important') is the superlative form, used to show the highest degree of importance among three or more things, not for comparing two things.
Which sentence uses the past perfect tense correctly?
- A. By the time I arrived, the party had already begun.
- B. I wish I had studied harder for the exam.
- C. We will have finished the project by Monday.
- D. She had been waiting for hours before he finally showed up.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Option A correctly uses the past perfect tense to show an action that was completed before another past action. In this sentence, 'the party had already begun' indicates that the party started before 'I arrived.' This structure is typical of the past perfect tense. Choice B uses the past perfect tense but does not demonstrate the sequence of actions in the past. Choice C uses the future perfect tense, indicating completion of an action by a future time. Choice D uses the past perfect continuous tense, not the simple past perfect tense required by the question.
What part of speech is the word 'growing' in the sentence: 'He felt a growing sense of unease'?
- A. Verb
- B. Adjective
- C. Noun
- D. Adverb
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The word 'growing' in the sentence 'He felt a growing sense of unease' is functioning as an adjective. It describes the sense of unease, indicating a characteristic of the sense rather than an action (verb), a person, place, thing, or idea (noun), or modifying a verb, an adjective, or another adverb (adverb). Therefore, 'growing' is an adjective in this context.
Which of the following phrases is grammatically correct and uses parallel structure?
- A. He enjoys reading, writing, and playing sports.
- B. Walking, swimming, and cooking are his favorite hobbies.
- C. He likes to read, write, and play sports.
- D. Singing, dancing, and traveling are his passions.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Option B is the correct answer as it uses the gerund (-ing) form for all three hobbies, achieving parallel structure. Parallel structure requires that elements in a sentence are grammatically balanced. In this case, all three activities are presented in the same form, making the sentence clear and consistent. Choices A, C, and D do not exhibit parallel structure as they mix verb forms or use infinitives, breaking the parallelism needed for correct grammar.
Which adjective best describes the following setting: 'A lone cabin stood nestled amongst towering pines, smoke curling from its chimney into the crisp mountain air'?
- A. Bland
- B. Urban
- C. Idyllic
- D. Sterile
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Idyllic' because it accurately captures the peaceful and picturesque nature of the setting. The image of a lone cabin nestled among towering pines with smoke curling from its chimney into the crisp mountain air evokes a sense of tranquility and beauty. 'Bland' (choice A) is incorrect as it suggests something dull or uninteresting, which does not align with the vivid imagery described. 'Urban' (choice B) is also incorrect as it refers to a city or town setting, which is the opposite of the isolated cabin in the mountains. 'Sterile' (choice D) is incorrect as it conveys a lack of warmth and character, which is not reflective of the cozy and inviting atmosphere portrayed in the description.