1 I'm a little nervous about starting my graduate degree program, but I'm determined to ___ and give it a go.

A jump off the deep end B jump the gun

C drop off the radar D drop the ball
 to jump off the deep end = to start doing st new or different without thinking carefully about it or
without preparation
2. Negotiations went _____, but we did manage to reach an agreement on the contract by the deadline.
A down to the short strokes B down for the count
C down to the ground D down to the wire
 to go/ come down to the wire: until the last moment that it is possible to do st
3. I have to clean this mess up before 5:00 or I will be pushing up _____ when my mom gets home.
A roses B lily C daisies D grasses
 to be pushing up daisies (humorous): to die
4. With your present ability, it will be a cold day in _____ when you can beat your brother in chess.
A June B Spring C July D Summer
 a cold day in July: impossible
5. Believe me, in this ever-changing era, that ridiculous pants may be _____ for now but, before long,
probably nobody will be wearing them.
A on the ball B all the rage C piping hot D on point
 be all the rage : very popular at a particular time
6. While capital punishment has been abolished in many countries, drug trafficking still _____ the death
penalty in Philippines.
A carries B bears C holds D contains
 to carry : if a crime carries a particular punishment, that is the usual punishment for the crime
7. Even when in the most severe state of his illness, he still _____ himself with rigid composure and great
dignity of a proud soldier.
A carried B sent C bore D forged
 to bear oneself (v): to move, behave or act in a particular way
8. My boss is quite an adamant man, so when he has had a plan, he would _____ no interference or
opposition.
A staunch B brook C consign D contain
 to brook no + st = to not brook st (formal): to not allow something
9. James Conrad was described as a(n) _____ explorer who would always be willing to venture into the most
dangerous corners for new discoveries despite all the risks.
A ardent B staunch C stalwart D audacious
 audacious (adj- | ɔːˈdeɪʃəs |)= adventurous :willing to take risks in order to achieve something
10. Nothing could _____ the memory of that tragic night from the minds of Titanic survivors.
A obliterate B deracinate C extinguishe D extort
 to obliterate st (v- | əˈblɪtəreɪt |) : to make st disappear completely
11. I used to be my team’s treasure, but since my injury, I do realize I have become more of a _____ than an
asset to them.
A debit B culpability C liability D baggage
 liability (n- | ˌlaɪəˈbɪlɪti |): a person or thing that causes you a lot of problems
12. The ____ of the Slytherin house in Harry Potter was a snake and the house's colours were green and
silver.
A emblem B stature C calibre D motto
 emblem (n): a design or picture that represents a country or an organization
13. The portrayal of Professor Snape in Harry Potter will forever stand as a(n) _____ to actor Alan Rickman
after he passes away.
A epitaph B epitome C compendium D conceit
 epitaph (n- | ˈepɪtɑːf |) : something that is left to remind people of a particular person, a period of time or
an event
14. I know you have matters that trouble you but please _____ for heaven's sake Anthony, you are ruining
the whole party!
A buck up B sift out C blaze up D air out
To buck up : to become or to make someone happier
15. Both his parents used to be out at work all day when he was small, hence his deep understanding of the
lonesome and dangers of being a _____ child.
A rag B self-supporting C boomerang D latchkey
 latchkey kid/child : a child who is at home alone after school because both parents are at work
Word form
1. Don’t waste your _____ and fancy-free days because you won’t have as much freedom after marriage and
parenthood. (FOOT) footloose
2. I hope my clumsy wording and expression won’t prevent the teacher from recognizing my _____
gratitude to her. (HEART) heartfelt
3. “A child called “it”” is a misery _____ written by Dave Pelzer, chronicling his story as the victim of one
of the most severe child abuse cases in California history. (MEMORY) memoir
4. You literally _____ your son by treating him as a failure for not attending university despite his business
success. (CHANGE) short-change
5. Parents should pay close attention to their children’s health because many respiratory symptoms can be
the _____of asthma - a medical condition that makes breathing difficult. Forerunner

1. footloose (adj): free to go where you like or do what you want because you have no responsibilities
 footloose and fancy-free (phr) : free to enjoy yourself
2. heartfelt (adj): sincere
3. memoir (n- | ˈmemwɑː |): an account written by somebody, especially somebody famous, about their life
and experiences
 misery memoir: story of a person’s life, written by that person, in which the author describes unpleasant
personal experiences, usually suffered during childhood, and how they recovered from them
4. to short-change sb(v): to treat sb unfairly by not giving them what they have earned or deserve
5. forerunner (n): a sign of what is going to happen