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Question
Choose appropriate phrases/expressions from the extract given in the options and fill in the blank appropriately.
Raj ran at a _______ to catch the train.
Options
time and again
to my heart’s content
in a jiffy
frantic speed
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Solution
Raj ran at a frantic speed to catch the train.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
Rearrange the following words and phrases to form meaningful sentences:
(a) one of / that of reading / known to / is / greatest / the / pleasures / man /
(b) a rich variety / adventure and wisdom / the / world of books / has / of /
(c) own / you / book / convenience / can enjoy / a / at your /
Use the following phrase in your own sentence.
By fits and starts
Match the phrases given under Column A with their meanings given under Column B:
| A | B | |
| 1 | Fly a flag | Move quickly/suddenly |
| 2 | Fly into rage | Be successful |
| 3 | Fly along | Display a flag on a long pole |
| 4 | Fly high | Escape from a place |
| 5 | Fly the coop | Become suddenly very angry |
Here is idiomatic expression that occur in the text. Try to use it in sentence of your own.
caught my eye
Here is sentence with some words in italics. Find phrases from the text that have the same meaning. (Look in the paragraphs indicated)
During monsoons it rains so heavily that tourists do not visit Coorg. (para 2)
Here is sentence with some words in italics. Find phrases from the text that have the same meaning. (Look in the paragraphs indicated)
Even people who normally lead an easy and slow life get smitten by the high-energy adventure sports of Coorg. (para 6)
Here is sentence with some words in italics. Find phrases from the text that have the same meaning. (Look in the paragraphs indicated)
The theory of the Arab origin is supported by the long coat with embroidered waist-belt they wear. (para 3)
Complete the following phrases from the text. For each phrase, can you find at least one other word that would fit into the blank?
- tales of ______
- coastal ______
- a piece of ______
- evergreen ______
- ______ plantations
- ______ bridge
- wild ______
You may add your own examples to this list.
This play has been translated into English from the Russian original. Are there any expressions or ways of speaking that strike you as more Russian than English? For example, would an adult man be addressed by an older man as my darling or my treasure in an English play?
Read through the play carefully, and find expressions that you think are not used in contemporary English, and contrast these with idiomatic modern English expressions that also occur in the play.
Complete the table by explaining the following phrases/ sentences in your own
words:
| Phrases | Meanings |
| happy memories light up a life that is nearing its close |
|
| the sounds helped him along his lonely way | |
| the cold used sleep to extend its sway over all things even as a false friend lulls his chosen victim with caressing smiles |
|
| when the evening of his life was drawing in, he left his old ways and suddenly took a new turn |
|
| the whole universe is built up through love and that the grief of separation is inescapable |
|
| the post-master, a man with a face as sad and as inexpressive as a pumpkin, would be seen sitting on his chair inside |
|
| And so the clerk, like a worshipper of Lord Vishnu, repeated his customary thousand names |
|
| The haughty temper of the official had quite left him in his sorrow and anxiety, and had laid bare his human heart |
Find words or phrases from the passage that mean the same as the following.
(a) to renovate, redo, or revise (paragraph 1)
(b) trying to win the favor, preference, or goodwill of (paragraph 1)
(c) come in small numbers (paragraph 4)
(d) well-off; rich (paragraph 5)
(e) friendly (paragraph 6)
(f) wanting or enjoying expensive pleasures (paragraph 6)
Match the phrases in Column A with their meanings in Column B
| Column A | Column B |
| (a) break out | (i) to try to find somebody or something |
| (b) to look for | (ii) as a rule or in general taking all relevant factors into account |
| (c) to take over | (iii) start suddenly and strongly |
| (d) to go into | (iv) to obtain or assume control of something, or gain control of something from somebody else |
| (e) on the whole | (v) to begin a job or career in a particular area of activity |
books / them / only / read / those who / will / love
is / the / it / hobbies / one / best / of
There are some phrases where the word crown is used with different shades of meaning. Use the following phrases to complete the sentences meaningfully.
The works of Shakespeare are the __________ of English drama.
There are some phrases where the word crown is used with different shades of meaning. Use the following phrases to complete the sentences meaningfully.
In her pursuit of success, Radha has distanced herself from her family. Her fame has become a real _______.
There are some phrases where the word crown is used with different shades of meaning. Use the following phrases to complete the sentences meaningfully.
Medical science has great inventions, but organ transplantation is definitely a ______ for human beings.
Find out the meaning of the following phrase. Use them in your own sentence.
give and take
Find out the meaning of the following phrase. Use them in your own sentence.
Lower than the angels
Find out the meaning of the following phrase. Use them in your own sentence.
knock someone down
Guess the meaning of the following idioms and phrases and use them in sentences of your own. One is done for you.
One-size-fits-all – suitable for or used in all circumstances
Statement: The wrist watches have adjustable belts, so one- size- fits- all.
'Once in a blue moon'
Guess the meaning of the following idioms and phrases and use them in sentences of your own. One is done for you.
One-size-fits-all – suitable for or used in all circumstances
Statement: The wrist watches have adjustable belts, so one- size- fits- all.
'Once bitten twice shy'
Guess the meaning of the following idioms and phrases and use them in sentences of your own. One is done for you.
One-size-fits-all – suitable for or used in all circumstances
Statement: The wrist watches have adjustable belts, so one- size- fits- all.
'One up on'
Find out expressions/phrases which denote, ‘going away’, from each stanza. One is given below. “Vanish in the throng”.
Find out the meaning of the phrase given below and use them in your own sentence.
be in the money
Find out the meaning of the phrase given below and use them in your own sentence.
money for old rope
Find out the meaning of the phrase given below and use them in your own sentence.
put one’s money where one’s mouth is
Insert the appropriate word/phrase given below in the sentence that follows.
(flattery, appealing, by fits and starts, dashed to, undetected, spirits rose)
I ______ the school gate when I heard the school-bell ring.
Insert the appropriate word/phrase given below, in the sentence that follows.
(flattery, appealing, by fits and starts, dashed to, undetected, spirits rose)
The crime went ______ for 11 years.
Read the following incident.
|
Lokesh had always been a class-topper in tests and examinations. However, invariably, he used foul means during exams to gain those high marks. Once, on the day of History examination, Lokesh realized that his classmate and friend Farhan came all prepared for Maths instead of History. Farhan had become desperate. So Lokesh offered to let him copy from his answer-sheet, since Farhan sat just behind him. Farhan refused. He said, ‘‘It’s all right even if I get a zero, but I can call it my own zero. I do not want to score a single mark, unearned. Cheating in exams is for cowards. Not me!’’ These words were a turning point in Lokesh’s life. He gave up cheating for ever. He worked hard for what he desired and never, ever used false measures to acquire anything. |
(a) In the given story, which words/phrases can be replaced by the following ones?
- became aware ......................
- always ......................
- very upset and helpless ......................
- cheating ......................
- without working for it ......................
- a sudden change ......................
- gain/achieve ......................
(b) Summarize the incident in 6 to 8 lines making Lokesh, the narrator:
Begin with: ‘I was always a class topper.
.....................................................
Rewrite the following sentence inserting the appropriate phrases in their proper form.
(to get out of, to come up, to turn on, to give in, to get into, to come down, to work out, to turn off, to give off, to give out, to work in)
To enjoy the music and relax, he ______ the music and ______ the lights.
Rewrite the following sentence inserting the appropriate phrases in their proper form.
(to get out of, to come up, to turn on, to give in, to get into, to come down, to work out, to turn off, to give off, to give out, to work in)
Smita ______ to her desire and ______ her favourite toys to the poor.
Rewrite the following sentence inserting the appropriate phrases in their proper form.
(to get out of, to come up, to turn on, to give in, to get into, to come down, to work out, to turn off, to give off, to give out, to work in)
You should ______ Mathematics so that you can ______ problem.
Replace the underline word/phrase with the appropriate one, to retain the proper meaning.
(be the epitome of, gear up, a brief stint, play a major role, in recognition of, take over reins)
Our school cricket team got ready for the final match against P. Q. R. High School.
Replace the underline word/phrase with the appropriate one, to retain the proper meaning.
(be the epitome of, gear up, a brief stint, play a major role, in recognition of, take over reins)
He contributed notably in bringing up the school.
Replace the underline word/phrase with the appropriate one, to retain the proper meaning.
(be the epitome of, gear up, a brief stint, play a major role, in recognition of, take over reins)
Accepting the great value of his research; they awarded him with a Ph.D. (degree)
Replace the underline word/phrase with the appropriate one, to retain the proper meaning.
(be the epitome of, gear up, a brief stint, play a major role, in recognition of, take over reins)
After the murder of King Duncan, Macbeth took over the control of Scotland.
Adding different prepositions to the same action verb changes the meaning of the phrases, thus formed.
For example,
call out - announce
call at - visit
call for - summon
call up - make a telephonic call
call off - cancel
Guess the difference in meanings of the underlined phrases.
- He promised to look into the matter.
- He asked me to look for his lost book.
- I shall look forward to your arrival.
Using a dictionary, find the difference between the following pairs of phrases. Make sentences of your own with each of them.
| Phrases | Meaning | Own Sentences | |
| 1. | cut in | ........................... | ........................... |
| cut out | ........................... | ........................... | |
| 2. | be held by | ........................... | ........................... |
| be held up | ........................... | ........................... | |
| 3. | run away | ........................... | ........................... |
| run for | ........................... | ........................... | |
| 4. | be known as | ........................... | ........................... |
| be known for | ........................... | ........................... | |
| 5. | go with | ........................... | ........................... |
| go after | ........................... | ........................... | |
| 6. | put fire into | ........................... | ........................... |
| put fire out | ........................... | ........................... |
Use the following idiom/phrase in sentence of your own.
stumble on
Use the following idiom/phrase in sentence of your own.
look backward
Use the following idiom/phrase in sentence of your own.
look forward
Use the following idiom/phrase in sentence of your own.
let (someone) down
Fill in the gap choosing the appropriate idiom.
(drown out, hits in the head with a brick, get one’s affairs in order, connect the dots, begin to dawn, stay hungy)
The wealthy landlord made a will ______ before he could die.
Fill in the gap choosing the appropriate idiom.
(drown out, hits in the head with a brick, get one’s affairs in order, connect the dots, begin to dawn, stay hungy)
Those who aspire for success should always ______ to learn more.
Fill in the gap choosing the appropriate idiom.
(drown out, hits in the head with a brick, get one’s affairs in order, connect the dots, begin to dawn, stay hungy)
If you ______ you will realise that crime ultimately leads to poverty.
Fill in the gap choosing the appropriate idiom.
(drown out, hits in the head with a brick, get one’s affairs in order, connect the dots, begin to dawn, stay hungy)
The siren of the ambulance ______ all other traffic noise.
Fill in the gap choosing the appropriate idiom.
(drown out, hits in the head with a brick, get one’s affairs in order, connect the dots, begin to dawn, stay hungy)
When the father learned about his son’s misdeeds, it ______.
Fill in the gap choosing the appropriate idiom.
(drown out, hits in the head with a brick, get one’s affairs in order, connect the dots, begin to dawn, stay hungy)
On reading exactly same essays in both answer sheets, it ______ the examiner, that the students had cheated during exams.
Fill in the blank with a word or a phrase given in the bracket in its appropriate form.
(startle, catch sight of, overload, water, pass)
I had seen asparagus in the shops, my mouth often ______ at the sight of them.
Fill in the blank with a word or a phrase given in the bracket in its appropriate form.
(startle, catch sight of, overload, water, pass)
The author’s guest was ______ through Paris.
Make a meaningful sentence by using the following phrase in your notebook.
in the pursuit of
Make a meaningful sentence by using the following phrase in your notebook.
be afraid of
Read the text again. You will find that the text contains many phrases. Match the phrases in ‘A’ and their meanings in ‘B’. After matching their meanings, make sentences of your own.
| ‘A’ Phrases | ‘B’ Meanings |
| 1. run of terrible bad luck | a. hit on a topic |
| 2. draws heavily on | b. without being affected by a particular factor |
| 3. struck a chord | c. endure in difficult circumstances |
| 4. in spite of | d. a period of time when bad things happen |
| 5. holding on | e. makes use of |
Discuss with your partner and find proverbs, idioms, or phrases of similar meaning to the one given and fill them in the stars given below:
When different Prepositions are added to the same action verb meaning of the phrase, thus formed changes.
For example,
call out - announce
call at - visit
call for - summon
call up - make a telephone call
Try to guess the meaning of the underlined phrase and write them down.
- An epidemic of Cholera broke out in the village.
- The thieves broke into the apartment
When different Prepositions are added to the same action verb meaning of the phrase, thus formed changes.
For example,
call out - announce
call at - visit
call for - summon
call up - make a telephone call
Try to guess the meaning of the underlined phrase and write them down.
- She has to carry out her duty regularly.
- You must carry on trying for success
Make a meaningful sentence by using the phrase “to belong to”.
Look up the meanings of the following phrases under ‘dream’ and ‘sell’ in the dictionary
| dream | sell |
| dream on | sell-by date |
| dream something away | selling-point |
| (not) dream of doing something | sell-out |
| dream something up | selling price |
| look like a dream | seller’s market |
Make a meaningful sentence by using the following phrase:
'pitched in to help'
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
| 1. | A fisherman, enfeebled with age, could no longer go out to sea so he began fishing in the river. Every morning he would go down to the river and sit there fishing the whole day long. In the evening he would sell whatever he had caught, buy food for himself and go home. It was a hard life for an old man. One hot afternoon while he was trying to keep awake and bemoaning his fate, a large bird with silvery feathers alighted on a rock near him. It was Kaha, the heavenly bird. “Have you no one to care for you, grandpa?” asked the bird. “Not a soul.” “You should not be doing such work at your age,” said the bird. “From now on I will bring you a big fish every evening. You can sell it and live in comfort.” True to her word, the bird began to drop a large fish at his doorstep every evening. All that the fisherman had to do was take it to the market and sell it. As big fish were in great demand, he was soon rolling in money. He bought a cottage near the sea, with a garden around it and engaged a servant to cook for him. His wife had died some years earlier. He had decided to marry again and began to look for a suitable woman. |
| 2. | One day he heard the royal courtier make an announcement. Our king has news of a great bird called Kaha,” said the courtier. “Whoever can give information about this bird and help catch it, will be rewarded with half the gold in the royal treasury and half the kingdom!” The fisherman was sorely tempted by the reward. Half the kingdom would make him a prince! |
| 3. | “Why does the king want the bird,” he asked. “He has lost his sight,” explained the courtier. “A wise man has advised him to bathe his eyes with the blood of Kaha. Do you know where she can be found?” “No…I mean …no, no…” Torn between greed and his sense of gratitude to the bird, the fisherman could not give a coherent reply. The courtier, sensing that he knew something about the bird, informed the king. The king had him brought to the palace. |
| 4. | “If you have information about the bird, tell me”, urged the king. “I will reward you handsomely and if you help catch her, I will personally crown you king of half my domain.” “I will get the bird for you,” cried the fisherman, suddenly making up his mind. “But Kaha is strong. I will need help. The king sent a dozen soldiers with him. That evening when the bird came with the fish, the fisherman called out to her to wait. “You drop the fish and go and I never get a chance to thank you for all that you‘ve done for me," he said. “Today I have laid out a feast for you inside. Please alight and come in. Kaha was reluctant to accept the invitation but the fisherman pleaded so earnestly that she finally gave in, and alighted. The moment she was on the ground, the fisherman grabbed one of her legs and shouted to the soldiers hiding in his house to come out. They rushed to his aid but their combined effort could not keep Kaha down. |
| 5. | She rose into the air with the fisherman still clinging to her leg. By the time he realised he was being carried away, the fisherman was too high in the air to let go. He hung on grimly, and neither he nor Kaha was ever seen again. |
Pick out the words/phrases from the passage which are opposite in meaning to the following:
- Take off (Para 1)
- Readily (Para 4)
