151. John’s financial dealings are all above board.
(A) honest
(B) questionable
(C) unreliable
(D) corrupt
Answer: (A) honest
Above board: Legitimate, honest, and without concealment or deceit.
152. Mathematics is my Achilles’ heel.
(A) favourite
(B) strength
(C) weakness
(D) advantage
Answer: (C) weakness
Achilles’ heel: A vulnerable point or a fatal weakness in spite of overall strength.
153. Sending greetings on all occasions has become the order of the day.
(A) in fashion
(B) old-fashioned
(C) compulsory
(D) optional
Answer: (A) in fashion
The order of the day: Something that is very common, acceptable, or fashionable at a particular time.
154. The lawyer led his client up the garden path.
(A) to dance merrily
(B) to cheat
(C) to plead
(D) to offend
Answer: (B) to cheat
Lead someone up the garden path: To deceive, mislead, or give someone false clues or expectations.
155. The principal was in a fix about the action to be taken on the student’s behaviour.
(A) take a quick decision
(B) take stern action
(C) not take any action
(D) in a dilemma
Answer: (D) in a dilemma
In a fix: In a difficult, troublesome, or embarrassing situation; in a dilemma.
156. While telling stories, Mary tends to draw the long bow.
(A) to exaggerate
(B) to criticize
(C) to make fun
(D) to undermine
Answer: (A) to exaggerate
Draw the long bow: To exaggerate a story or make overly ambitious claims.
157. Politicians are famous for playing to the gallery.
(A) to help
(B) to gain popularity
(C) to make trouble
(D) to underestimate
Answer: (B) to gain popularity
Play to the gallery: To behave in a way intended to make people admire or support you; to seek cheap popularity.
158. He is out and out a liar.
(A) surely
(B) consistently
(C) basically
(D) thoroughly
Answer: (D) thoroughly
Out and out: Completely, thoroughly, or in every respect.
159. We kept our fingers crossed till the final results were declared.
(A) kept praying
(B) waiting anxiously
(C) kept hoping
(D) felt scared
Answer: (B) waiting anxiously
Keep one’s fingers crossed: To hope tightly for a good outcome, often accompanied by anxious waiting.
160. On the go
(A) In the middle of a journey
(B) Very active or busy
(C) Ready to start
(D) About to collapse
Answer: (B) Very active or busy
On the go: Very active, busy, or constantly moving.