To bite the dust

• eat voraciously
• have nothing to eat
• eat roots
• to fail
Correct Option: D  [ to fail ]

Remark:

He was in a brown study and did not seem to catch my point.

• in his study room
• absorbed in reading
• absent – minded
• in a state of shock
Correct Option: B  [ absorbed in reading ]

Remark:

The MP from our constituency is fond of blowing his own trumpet whenever he gets a chance.

• parading his own good deeds
• speaking too loudly
• looking after his own interest
• making long speeches
Correct Option: A  [ parading his own good deeds ]

Remark:

The police fired at random at the violent crowd and several person lost their lives.

• pointedly
• aimlessly
• willingly
• intentionally
Correct Option: B  [ aimlessly ]

Remark:

When one is "airing dirty linen in public", the person is:

• discussing private affairs in public
• hanging out clothes in the open to dry
• standing up and fighting
• complaining
Correct Option: A  [ discussing private affairs in public ]

Remark: "airing dirty linen in public": discussing or arguing about unpleasant or private things in front of other people.

The boss brought matters to a head by forcing him to work more.

• made him happy
• created a lot of unhappiness
• created an atmosphere of confrontation
• brought matters to a decisive
Correct Option: C  [ created an atmosphere of confrontation ]

Remark:

To be all at sea.

• a family voyage
• lost and confused
• in the middle of the ocean
• a string of island
Correct Option: B  [ lost and confused ]

Remark:

The idiomatic expression "A slap on the wrist" means:

• Short on time
• A very mild punishment
• To have a dispute
• To force an issue
Correct Option: B  [ A very mild punishment ]

Remark: A slap on the wrist is a warning or a punishment that is not very severe.

He has reached present position in his job through elbow grease.

• his persistent fighting
• his good connections
• flattering his superiors
• his hard work
Correct Option: D  [ his hard work ]

Remark:

He is ill at ease in his new position.

• not comfortable
• feeling sad
• angry
• callous
Correct Option: A  [ not comfortable ]

Remark: ill at ease: awkward, uneasy, uncomfortable