Transformation

PAGE TÀI LIỆU TIẾNG ANH NÂNG CAO EMAIL: HOHAIDANG1807@GMAIL.
COM
CHUYÊN ĐỀ VIẾT LẠI CÂU (DỄ)

TEST ONE
1. She is proud of her cooking. (PRIDE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
2. The loss of the account was not our fault. (BLAME)
……………………………………………………………………………….
3. She found her book so interesting that she didn’t even hear me.
(ENGROSSED)
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4. Julian is proud of his stamp collection. (PRIDE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
5. We ought to have dropped in on Muriel when we were in town. (PAID)
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6. Amanda always turns shy when there are adults around. (PRESENCE)
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7. He said I could concentrate on more important matters. (TURN)
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8. Jason and I shared the driving. (TURNS)
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9. Roger is now responsible for the whole sales department. (CHARGE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
10. This matter has nothing to do with her. (CONCERN)
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PAGE TÀI LIỆU TIẾNG ANH NÂNG CAO EMAIL: HOHAIDANG1807@GMAIL.COM
11. Suppose they don’t grant him his right to see a lawyer? (OF)
………………………………………………………………………………..
12. Time is precious, so can we please hurry? (SHORT)
……………………………………………………………………………….
13. If you carry out your threat, there’s a good chance that you will be
prosecuted. (RUN)
………………………………………………………………………………..
14. According to the newspaper, there are plenty of jobs going in Australia.
(ABUNDANCE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
15. I travelled through France for a week. (SPENT)
………………………………………………………………………………...
16. Andrew enjoys teasing his sister all the time. (DELIGHT)
…………………………………………………………………………………
17. Noel seems to enjoy making people feel uncomfortable. (PLEASURE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
18. Picasso played a major role in the development of the 20th century art
movement. (CONTRIBUTION)
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19. He always had everything he wanted as a child. (SHORT)
………………………………………………………………………………
20. We don’t need to buy any more detergent just yet. (ENOUGH)
………………………………………………………………………………
TEST TWO
1. Seargeant Tucker is away until the end of the month. (LEAVE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
2. The two models are much the same. (NOTHING)
……………………………………………………………………………….
3. David should concentrate more on his studies. (APPLY)
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4. If he continues to be rude to her, she’s going to give him a piece of her

mind. (RUDE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
5. It’s really worth knowing people in high places sometimes. (PAYS)
………………………………………………………………………………..
6. Your father will never allow you to marry Alec. (CONSENT)
……………………………………………………………………………….
7. Judging by the outside of the house, very rich people live here.
(OUTSIDE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
8. That the socialists won the election was totally unexpected. (SURPRISE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
9. The police will keep him in custody until they have proof he is not a
terrorist. (FREE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
10. Women all over the world copied the Princess Diana look. (TREND)
……………………………………………………………………………….
11. Many people do not approve of the new measures to control crime.
(ALONG)
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12. If only I could read music. (LOVE)
………………………………………………………………………………...
13. It is very difficult to stay up-to-date with technology. (PACE)
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14. Apparently we ‘ll have to start from scratch. (LOOKS)
……………………………………………………………………………….
15. A lot of people have been talking about his new film lately. (SUBJECT)
………………………………………………………………………………..
16. At first sight, it seems like a worthwhile plan of attack, but we’ll see.
(FACE)
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17. Very few employees agree with the new proposals. (FAVOR)
……………………………………………………………………………….
18. They blamed her for the error, even though she had been absent at the
time. (HELD)
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19. I think this difficult situation will resolve itself after a while. (SORT)
……………………………………………………………………………….
20. If my mother calls , tell her I’m on my way home. (HAPPEN)
……………………………………………………………………………….
TEST THREE
1. She damaged the car badly when she backed into the tree. (DAMAGE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
2. These old laws should be abolished. (DONE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
3. It’s such a shame that Terry and Carla broke up. (SEPARATE)
………………………………………………………………………………...
4. Judy‘s thinking about moving to France. (THOUGHT)
……………………………………………………………………………….
5. There are several categories of people who do not have to pay the new
tax. (EXEMPT)
………………………………………………………………………………..
6. Terry did not agree with me about the best way to proceed. (SHARE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
7. It seems highly unlikely that the weather will improve during the next few
days. (SIGNS)
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8. The open-air concerts in the park take place on alternate Sundays.

(OTHER)
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9. John was quite frank about his criminal record. (SECRET)
………………………………………………………………………………..
10. Our bus timetable may vary from one month to the next. (SUBJECT)
………………………………………………………………………………..
11. There have been a lot of redundancies in that area. (LOST)
………………………………………………………………………………..
12. The number of places offered on the course has been drastically reduced
owing to lack of funds. (REDUCTION)
………………………………………………………………………………..
13. Doesn’t anyone but me care about this issue? (ONLY)
………………………………………………………………………………..
14. I was amazed at the speed with which Chris learned to drive. (FOUND)
………………………………………………………………………………..
15. When you go to the city, watch out for pickpockets. (LOOKOUT)
………………………………………………………………………………..
16. Several flights have had to be cancelled because of heavy snowfalls.

(CANCELLATION)
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17. Nobody knows what happened to the money. (MYSTERY)
………………………………………………………………………………...
18. It took three hours to get there, but we all agreed we were happy we had
done it. (WORTH)
………………………………………………………………………………..
19. The only thing I can do is to tell Monica everything. (ALTERNATIVE)
………………………………………………………………………………...
20. It was the first time Lenny had used a computer. (EXPERIENCE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
TEST FOUR
1. Do you understand what he’s written at the end? (SENSE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
2. If the referee hadn’t intervened promptly, a fight would have developed

on the pitch. (INTERVENTION)
……………………………………………………………………………….
3. Don’t play with that ball indoors anymore, or you will break something.
(CARRY)
………………………………………………………………………………...
4. How can you bear him? (PUT)
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5. You are old enough to stand on your own two feet. (HIGH)
………………………………………………………………………………..
6. The house seemed to have been unoccupied for several months. (IF)
……………………………………………………………………………….
7. The Prime Minister would prefer to use diplomatic discussion when faced
with a crisis. (RATHER)
………………………………………………………………………………..
8. You’ve no chance of succeeding if you’re going to be so pessimistic.

(BOUND)
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9. It is said that he has been to prison several times. (REPUTED)
………………………………………………………………………………..
10. You stand little chance of passing with such low marks. (PASS)
………………………………………………………………………………..
11. You could be arrested for not giving a blood sample to the police, you
know. (LEAD)
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12. It would have been inconsiderate if I hadn’t invited the neighbors to the
wedding. (HAVE)
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13. She is likely to be the next president. (GOOD)
………………………………………………………………………………..
14. Could you please type these letters before you go to lunch? (MIND)
………………………………………………………………………………...
15. I fully intend to find out who is responsible for the graffiti. (EVERY)
………………………………………………………………………………..
16. It wasn’t easy for Christine to get used to living in the country.
(TROUBLE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
17. You can try to get Tim to lend you his car but you won’t succeed.
(POINT)
………………………………………………………………………………..
18. Mrs. Wilson says she’s sorry she didn’t attend the meeting yesterday
morning. (SEND)
………………………………………………………………………………
19. The proposal has received unanimous support from the members.
(UNITED)
……………………………………………………………………………….
20. They wouldn’t let the former chairman attend the conference.
(BARRED)
………………………………………………………………………………...
TEST FIVE
1. While the boss is away, I’ll be in charge. (ABSENCE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
2. The northwest of Britain has more rain each year than he southeast.
(GREATER)
………………………………………………………………………………..
3. Running those last ten miles in the marathon was really hard.
(STRENUOUS)
……………………………………………………………………………….
4. I had underestimated the changes I would find in my hometown.

(EXTENT)
………………………………………………………………………………...
5. I knew he would get into trouble again. (SURPRISE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
6. Immediately I heard from her, I left for London. (SOONER)

……………………………………………………………………………….
7. I began to understand that he was only interested in his own career.

(CAME)
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8. A taxi will get there in a third of the time it takes the bus. (AS)
………………………………………………………………………………..
9. It makes no difference to me whether we go to France or Spain. (GO)
……………………………………………………………………………….
10. I’ve never met such a vain person as Sally. (FAR)
………………………………………………………………………………...
11. Although Judy was severely disabled, she participated in many sports.
(HAVING)
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12. When the police searched the car, they knew they had been taken in.
(UPON)
………………………………………………………………………………...
13. When we receive the money, we’ll ship the goods. (ON)
………………………………………………………………………………..
14. He doesn’t want to be disturbed unless something urgent happens. (UP)
……………………………………………………………………………….
15. She didn’t see the point of waiting anymore. (LONGER)

………………………………………………………………………………..
16. She could hardly remember her childhood. (FAINT)
………………………………………………………………………………..
17. He moved so clumsily that she was afraid he would break everything in
the shop. (MOVEMENTS)
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18. The price of a litre of petrol is going up by two cents. (RISE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
19. We have been trying to sell our house for well over six months. (FOR)
……………………………………………………………………………….
20. The restaurant was even better than I had expected. (SURPASSED)
………………………………………………………………………………..
TEST SIX
1. I rarely see my sister these days. (BLUE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
2. It’s a pity you didn’t tell him, firmly and finally, that he can’t stay here.
(ONCE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
3. The government is trying to conceal the truths. (UP)
……………………………………………………………………………….
4. I found my job because I subscribe to that magazine. (SUBSCRIPTION)
…………………………………………………………………………………
5. I tried as hard as I could to convince them to stay. (BEST)

……………………………………………………………………………….
6. The teacher used such difficult words that no one could understand him.
(SUCH)
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7. I finally met her by chance. (ONLY)

……………………………………………………………………………….
8. He hasn’t been to the college since May. (LAST)
………………………………………………………………………………..
9. When did he last write a book which was a best seller? (LONG)
………………………………………………………………………………..
10. I don’t think she will agree to your terms. (DOUBTFUL)
……………………………………………………………………………….
11. If you don’t comply with the rules, you’ll be expelled from the school.
(AND)
………………………………………………………………………………..
12. If there is no frost this spring, the crop will be good. (PROVIDED)
………………………………………………………………………………..
13. You may need to call the agency again, so keep their card. (CASE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
14. It’s a pity she did not accept my proposition. (WISH)
………………………………………………………………………………..
15. I don’t want you to disturb me while I’m working. (RATHER)
……………………………………………………………………………….
16. I know you want to drive there, but how about flying instead?
(SUPPOSE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
17. Could you please move your car? (ENOUGH)
……………………………………………………………………………….
18. He pretended that he had not heard of the new regulations. (HAVE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
19. He survived the train crash but died of a heart attack the following day.
(TO)
……………………………………………………………………………….
20. We are expecting Mr. Westwood’s arrival at any moment. (DUE)
………………………………………………………………………………...
TEST SEVEN
1. I began to feel really scared when the dog came close. (CLOSER)
………………………………………………………………………………
2. His biggest fear is losing his sight. (WHAT)
……………………………………………………………………………….
3. Your son isn’t stupid but he’s very lazy, I’m afraid. (MORE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
4. The path was so slippery that we couldn’t carry on walking up the

mountain. (TOO)
……………………………………………………………………………….
5. Press that button and the lift will start. (MOMENT)
………………………………………………………………………………..
6. Despite the fact that she had problems, she was a very happy person.
(FOR)
………………………………………………………………………………...
7. However hard I try, I can’t please the new supervisor. (AS)
………………………………………………………………………………..
8. Despite our efforts, the company couldn’t pay its debts and had to close.
(HOW)
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9. He studied so hard to get his degree that he became ill. (EXPENSE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
10. She learned French so that she could get a job in Paris. (AIM)
………………………………………………………………………………...
11. “Let’s invite them down to the cottage for the weekend” said Rachel.
(HAVING)
………………………………………………………………………………..
12. He’s accepted more work than he can finish in a week. (ON)
………………………………………………………………………………..
13. I think I gained five kilos on that holiday. (PUT)
………………………………………………………………………………..
14. This is a bi-monthly magazine. (OUT)
...........................................................................................................................
15. His English seems to be improving. (ALONG)
………………………………………………………………………………...
16. Let’s continue with these corrections, shall we? (ON)
……………………………………………………………………………
17. No matter how hard I try, I can’t find the time or energy to paint the
fence. (ROUND)
……………………………………………………………………………
18. He’s determined to have a few days break. (AWAY)

…………………………………………………………………………….
19. She is no longer young, is she? (ON)
……………………………………………………………………………..
20. Where did you get this information? (BY)
……………………………………………………………………………..
TEST EIGHT
1. Such behavior is unforgivable. (EXCUSE)
……………………………………………………………………………..
2. Only if you work hard now do you have any chance of success. (ON)
……………………………………………………………………………...
3. She gets on well with all her students. (RELATIONSHIP)
………………………………………………………………………………
4. He’s unlikely to come to the party. (WHETHER)
……………………………………………………………………………….
5. Anne doesn’t have her own phone at the moment as she’s just moved
house. (ON)
………………………………………………………………………………..
6. This essay is better than your last one. (ON)
………………………………………………………………………………...
7. Everyday our town becomes more polluted. (AND)
……………………………………………………………………………….
8. Andy used to be careless, but he’s not anymore. (MORE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
9. Don’t pay any attention to what he says. (NOTICE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
10. The new plans for the library have been approved by the authorities.
(MET)
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11. They will have to accept your offer. (NO)
…………………………………………………………………………….......
12. That’s none of your business. (NOTHING)
………………………………………………………………………………...
13. Money counts for little on a desert island. (OF)
………………………………………………………………………………...
14. Most people know that the country’s economy is dependent on oil.
(COMMON)
………………………………………………………………………………...
15. You are not alone in finding this subject rather difficult. (ONLY)
……………………………………………………………………………….
16. The advertisement completely deceived her. (IN)
……………………………………………………………………………….
17. The test showed that the girl could hear perfectly well. (WRONG)
………………………………………………………………………………..
18. We don’t have too much time to go sightseeing. (LITTLE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
19. I don’t know much about feng-shui, I’m afraid. (LITTLE)
………………………………………………………………………………...
20. The Tourist Board advised us on where to stay. (GAVE)
………………………………………………………………………………...
TEST NINE
1. The surgeon didn’t start until the anaesthetic had taken effect.
(EFFECT)
………………………………………………………………………………...
2. She had all her jewellery insured by Lloyd’s. (EVERY)
………………………………………………………………………………...
3. Peter said the operation was completely painless. (SUFFER)
………………………………………………………………………………...
4. The expiry date on the passport is March 5th, 2004. (VALID)
………………………………………………………………………………...
5. We closed the club as membership had fallen steadily. (DECLINE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
6. If she weren’t so patient, she wouldn’t be such a good teacher.

(BECAUSE)
………………………………………………………………………………...
7. If you hadn’t helped us, we wouldn’t have finished on time. (FOR)
………………………………………………………………………………...
8. If you aren’t careful, the engine will seize up. (UNLESS)

………………………………………………………………………………...
9. If you bump into him, give him my love. (SHOULD)
……………………………………………………………………………….
10. She didn’t see anything because she was asleep. (HAD)
………………………………………………………………………………..
11. There is no way you can justify his actions last night. (FOR)
………………………………………………………………………………
12. Whatever you do, don’t panic. (LAST)
……………………………………………………………………………….
13. Not many people wants typewriters nowadays. (IN)
……………………………………………………………………………….
14. You’d better leave early to avoid the rush hour. (LEFT)
………………………………………………………………………………..
15. If you don’t tell them, you will be severely punished. (BETTER)
………………………………………………………………………………...
16. The staff would sooner have a shorter lunch break and leave earlier.
(PREFER)
………………………………………………………………………………
17. I’m afraid I didn’t catch your name. (REPEATING)
……………………………………………………………………………….
18. We don’t seem to have any coffee left. (RUN)
………………………………………………………………………………...
19. Robert is in the wrong in this instance. (AT)
………………………………………………………………………………...
20. I always make the same mistake. (ON)
………………………………………………………………………………...
TEST TEN
1. They don’t let me stay out after midnight. (NOT)
………………………………………………………………………………...
2. The police allege that the managing director of the bank has been
embezzling money for years. (IS)
………………………………………………………………………………
3. He is sure to pass the exam. (LIKELY)
……………………………………………………………………………….
4. Well, eventually we arrived at a small town. (COURSE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
5. “The opening ceremony will just be beginning then”, he said to us.

(WOULD)
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6. “I’ll fill in the form for you”, said Claire. (OFFERED)
………………………………………………………………………………..
7. Malcolm admitted having caused the damage. (CONFESSED)
………………………………………………………………………………...
8. The greenhouse effect seriously threatens life on this planet. (POSES)

………………………………………………………………………………...
9. His business collapsed so he owes a lot of money. (HEAVILY)
………………………………………………………………………………...
10. It takes six hours to fly from here to Toronto. (FLIGHT)
………………………………………………………………………………...
11. Someone is fixing my television today. (HAVING)
………………………………………………………………………………...
12. I don’t care what you do with the money. (MATTER)
………………………………………………………………………………...
13. I owe y success to my mother. (THANKS)
………………………………………………………………………………...
14. He was woken by a noise soon after he had dropped off. (HARDLY)
………………………………………………………………………………...
15. Such things rarely happen. (SELDOM)
………………………………………………………………………………...
16. Jack seems like a very friendly man to me. (STRIKES)
………………………………………………………………………………...
17. Nobody has heard from Julia since she left home. (NEWS)
………………………………………………………………………………...
18. The smell of the sea always made me hungry as a child. (APPETITE)
………………………………………………………………………………...
19. After thinking about it again, I will go with you. (SECOND)
………………………………………………………………………………...
20. I should have guessed you’d be in here. (KNOWN)
………………………………………………………………………………...
CHUYÊN ĐỀ VIẾT LẠI CÂU

(MỨC ĐỘ KHÓ)
TEST ONE
1. What he told me made me very curious to hear the rest of the story.
(APPETITE)
…………………………………………………………………
2. I knew the project would not succeed from the start. (DOOMED)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
3. The politician tried to find people who were willing to back his campaign to
help the homeless. (DRUM)
……………………………………………………………………………………
4. Digging in the garden gives me an outlet for my frustrations. (VENT)
…………………………………………………………………………………
5. She was miserable when her mother made her give away all her childhood
toys. (PARTED)
…………………………………………………………………………………
6. By leaving Mary alone, I am sure she will finish the project on time.
(DEVICES)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
7. Martin cannot go higher in his career. (PINNACLE)
…………………………………………………………………………………
8. He suddenly realized that she was never coming back. (DAWNED)
……………………………………………………………………………………
9. You‘ve been looking miserable all day. (MOON)
……………………………………………………………………………………
10. She‘s only happy when somebody does all her jobs for her. (DANCES)
……………………………………………………………………………………
11. Ray’s good work record enabled him to get promotion. (STRENGTH)
…………………………………………………………………………………
12. The company tried unsuccessfully to secure a bank loan. (AVAIL)
…………………………………………………………………………………....
13. They remain close friends despite having had many arguments. (FALLEN)
…………………………………………………………………………………
14. Have you ever thought of changing jobs? (CROSSED)
…………………………………………………………………………………
15. I’m sick of that program because I’ve watched it too often. (OFF)
…………………………………………………………………………………
16. A new arrangement over working conditions has been made between the
management and the Union. (STRUCK)
……………………………………………………………………………………
17. We can’t possibly imagine how we are going to afford a new car.
(REMOTEST)
…………………………………………………………………………………
18. Mike has a more complex personality than you may think. (DEPTHS)
…………………………………………………………………………………
19. The government received many criticisms concerning their new housing
policy. (FEW)
…………………………………………………………………………………
20. Tom teased Alice about her new hairstyle. (POKED)
…………………………………………………………………………………
TEST TWO
1. How would you deal with such a challenge? (PRESENTED)
……………………………………………………………………………………
2. Seeing the damage to his car, Jerry became furious. (BESIDE)
…………………………………………………………………………………
3. I happened to see James as he walked past the door. (CAUGHT)
…………………………………………………………………………………
4. You must do anything you can to make the negotiations successful. (STOPS)
……………………………………………………………………………………
5. The government has tried to make the incident seem less serious. (PLAYED)
……………………………………………………………………………………
6. A cup of tea is the most refreshing drink of all. (MATCH)
……………………………………………………………………………………
7. Tom didn’t understand the situation and so made a terrible mistake. (STICK)
…………………………………………………………………………………
8. In my opinion, computers are more trouble than they’re worth.

(HINDRANCE)
…………………………………………………………………………………
9. Since the advertisement, we’ve had more applications than we can deal with.
(SWAMPED)
…………………………………………………………………………………
10. Mary was always making Jones the subject of her cruel jokes. (BUTT)
…………………………………………………………………………………
11. She was an excellent playwright whose work didn’t get the recognition it
deserved. (RENOWN)
…………………………………………………………………………………
12. There was hardly any movement in the traffic in front of us. (INCHED)
……………………………………………………………………………………
13. The community spoke enthusiastically about the recently elected mayor.
(SANG)
……………………………………………………………………………………
14. The subject of productivity bonuses has been mentioned at every

management and workers meeting. (CROPPED)
……………………………………………………………………………………
15. My husband and I had a row about buying a car. (WORDS)
…………………………………………………………………………………
16. Rick’s boss says he thinks Rick is doing a wonderful job. (PRAISES)
…………………………………………………………………………………
17. When he made friends in the new place, Ron became less shy and reserved.
(SHELL)
…………………………………………………………………………………
18. He‘s a pleasant man socially, but he’s a tough businessman. (BARGAIN)
…………………………………………………………………………………
19. The lease on my flat is valid until the end of the year. (RENEWAL)
…………………………………………………………………………………
20. Mark didn’t get home until just before dawn yesterday. (HOURS)
……………………………………………………………………………………
TEST THREE
1. When you lose someone you love, everything else seems pointless (PALES)
…………………………………………………………………………………
2. Before you start working on the projects, first finish doing the minor jobs.
(DECKS)
……………………………………………………………………………………
3. His latest film is not nearly as good as his earlier ones. (PATCH)
…………………………………………………………………………………
4. Of all the teams competing in this year’s World Cup, England is in a league
of its own. (FAR)
…………………………………………………………………………………
5. Jack and I obviously think very differently from one another.

(WAVELENGTH)
…………………………………………………………………………………
6. With constant practice, you’ll be a much better pianist than the others.
(SHOULDERS)
……………………………………………………………………………………
7. Saying something is not the same as doing it. (WORLD)
……………………………………………………………………………………
8. The police surrounded the entire area and prevented people from entering it
while they dusted for fingerprints. (CORDONED)
……………………………………………………………………………………
9. Someone undoubtedly told the police that he was going to rob the bank.
(TIPPED)
…………………………………………………………………………………
10. Had he been a little more penitent, his appeal for mercy would not have
been ignored. (DEAF)
…………………………………………………………………………………
11. I don’t care if he meant it or not. The fact is, he said it. (IMMATERIAL)
…………………………………………………………………………………
12. One day Tim is going to get into trouble with the law. (FOUL)
…………………………………………………………………………………
13. He is the kind of man who will do anything to crush he competition.

(LENGTHS)
…………………………………………………………………………………
14. Why are you looking so unhappy? (FACE)
…………………………………………………………………………………
15. You lost the game because you failed to give the good answer to the
question. (MARK)
…………………………………………………………………………………
16. Suddenly, the lights went off. (PLUNGED)
……………………………………………………………………………………
17. There were empty lemonade bottles and half-eaten sandwiches all over his
floor. (STREWN)
…………………………………………………………………………………
18. Cars are no longer being produced as a result of the strike. (STANDSTILL)
……………………………………………………………………………………
….
19. Whenever there is a power cut, we sell a lot of candles. (TRADE)
……………………………………………………………………………………
20. A long, lazy holiday would make you feel very much better. (DO)
…………………………………………………………………………………
TEST FOUR
1. Joe didn’t think it was wrong of him to quit at such short notice. (QUALMS)
……………………………………………………………………………………
2. She‘s only just started now, but, judging by her recent performance, she
should become an excellent tennis player. (MAKINGS)
……………………………………………………………………………………
3. The needs of the poor should be given more importance than those of the
middle classes. (PRIORITY)
……………………………………………………………………………………
4. I made her angry and upset when I said that her novel was amateurish and
badly written. (KINDLY)
……………………………………………………………………………………
5. The building will be dedicated to the families who are in desperate need of
help. (BREADLINE)
…………………………………………………………………………………
6. Nobody likes him. He will do just anything to win the teacher’s favor.
(CURRY)
…………………………………………………………………………………
7. I felt creeps all over my back when the teacher looked so angrily at me.
(DAGGERS)
……………………………………………………………………………………
8. Just because I’m his wife he expects me to do everything for him. (FOOT)
……………………………………………………………………………………
9. Dave does not hesitate to criticize his superiors’ decisions. (BONES)
……………………………………………………………………………………
10. Since I have this argument with William, we haven’t spoken to each other.
(CROSSED)
…………………………………………………………………………………
11. The ministry spoilt our investment plans by changing the tax law. (SPOKE)
…………………………………………………………………………………
12. The teacher sent the boy out because he was behaving in a foolish way.
(GOAT)
……………………………………………………………………………………
13. The failed exam has ruined Ann’s chance of becoming a sworn translator.
(PAID)
……………………………………………………………………………………
14. At your age, you should have learnt to do things for yourself, Holly.
(FEET)
…………………………………………………………………………………
15. You will be risking a failure if you entrust this serious task to Malcolm.
(FALL)
…………………………………………………………………………………
16. Could you have a quick look at my essay before I give it in? (CAST)
…………………………………………………………………………………
17. Suzy managed to cope with so many problems when she was declared
bankrupt. (STRIDE)
…………………………………………………………………………………
18. He owes his life to that surgeon. (INDEBTED)
…………………………………………………………………………………
19. There wasn’t a single ticket left for the concert so we couldn’t go.
(SELL-OUT)
…………………………………………………………………………………
20. The first sign of the disease is blurred vision. (ONSET)
…………………………………………………………………………………
TEST FIVE
1. The new rules about school uniforms will apply next year. (FORCE)
……………………………………………………………………………………
2. It was blindingly obvious that he knew nothing about the subject. (MILE)
……………………………………………………………………………………
3. I’m so busy at the moment that I can’t take on any extra work. (PLATE)
…………………………………………………………………………………
4. He was given an honorary medal by the military. (CONFERRED)
…………………………………………………………………………………
5. Sean did all the illustrations for the book but no one acknowledged his work.
(CREDIT)
…………………………………………………………………………………
6. Susie couldn’t stop crying when her pet rabbit died. (FLOODS)
…………………………………………………………………………………
7. His latest theory is in complete opposition to mainstream thinking. (FLIES)
…………………………………………………………………………………
8. Sam was really anxious, waiting to see if he had got a place in the cricket
team. (TENTERHOOKS)
……………………………………………………………………………………
9. The firm went bankrupt after failing to win the contract. (LIQUIDATION)
……………………………………………………………………………………
10. I burst into laughter when I heard about Harry’s adventure with the bull.
(SIDES)
………………………………………………………………………………….
11. Harvey ordered some new equipment without prior permission.

(LIBERTY)
……………………………………………………………………………………
12. The BBC produces program to interest all sorts of people. (CATERED)
…………………………………………………………………………………
13. The government’s retraining program proved to be unsuccessful due to lack

of funds. (FAILURE)
…………………………………………………………………………………
14. Reality shows on TV are extremely popular at the moment. (FLAVOR)
……………………………………………………………………………………
15. It is believed that the two rival companies have agreed to the merger.
(THROUGH)
……………………………………………………………………………………
16. Finally, we reached an agreement by accepting some of our partner’s

demands. (HALFWAY)
…………………………………………………………………………………
17. It’s not to interfere in other people’s private matters. (NOSE)
……………………………………………………………………………………
18. With that comments of yours you did say what was exactly right. (NAIL)
……………………………………………………………………………………
19. It‘s crucial for us to control the juvenile inmates strictly. (REIN)
……………………………………………………………………………………
20. Children enjoy unwrapping their Christmas presents. (KICK)
…………………………………………………………………………………
TEST SIX
1. That man was so annoying that I hope I never meet him again. (PAIN)
……………………………………………………………………………….
2. I cannot accept your dreadful lies any more. (STOMACH)
……………………………………………………………………………….
3. I had just begun to look through the book when he took it away. (THUMB)
…………………………………………………………………………………
4. You have to obey the rules in this company if you want to get on. (TOE)
…………………………………………………………………………………
5. It was hard not to laugh when he sneezed in the middle of the song.
(STRAIGHT)
……………………………………………………………………………………
6. Take care or he will deceive you. (WOOL)
……………………………………………………………………………………
7. He‘s usually a good boy, unless his brother encourages him to misbehave.
(EGG)
……………………………………………………………………………………
8. If her mother had not held her back, she’d have moved away years ago.
(WINGS)
……………………………………………………………………………………
9. In his place, I wouldn’t care too much about my reputation. (HOOTS)
…………………………………………………………………………………
10. How could I tell him if I haven’t seen him for months? (HAIR)
……………………………………………………………………………………
11. She sent her husband out to buy Bulgarian mushrooms, knowing he
wouldn’t find any. (GOOSE)
………………………………………………………………………………….
12. I’m sorry, but I’m not in the mood to discuss this matter right now.
(FRAME)
……………………………………………………………………………………
13. Why are you trying to mend something that isn’t broken? (MONKEYING)
……………………………………………………………………………………
14. Must you follow me everywhere I go? (DOG)
……………………………………………………………………………………
15. We are behind with our mortgage repayments. (ARREARS)
……………………………………………………………………………………
16. Once dad has made up his mind, he won’t change it. (BUDGE)
……………………………………………………………………………………
17. Nigel is so conceited, it’s time someone showed him he‘s not as important
as he thinks. (CUT)
……………………………………………………………………………............
18. We must go back to the beginning and find the error. (SQUARE)
……………………………………………………………………………………
19. There was so much misleading information in the novel, I didn’t guess who
the murderer was. (HERRINGS)
……………………………………………………………………………………
20. Tim failed to get into university and he gets very annoyed if it’s mentioned.
(CHIP)
……………………………………………………………………………………
TEST SEVEN
1. We wish to complain about your dog, Mr. Taylor. (BONE)
……………………………………………………………………………………
2. I think the mayor is involved in everything that goes on in this town.

(FINGER)
……………………………………………………………………………………
3. Henry’s got friends in both the Labor and Conservative party. (FOOT)
………………………………………………………………………………….
4. We must get started before all the guests arrive. (ROAD)
……………………………………………………………………………………
5. His business became successful once he started to behave more responsibly.

(ACT)
……………………………………………………………………………………
6. Unless you get organized, you will never be ready by Saturday. (ACT)
…………………………………………………………………………………
7. They’re a troublesome group but Mr. Jones keeps control of them. (HAND)
……………………………………………………………………………………
8. Bert’s life seemed to go wrong after his parents died. (RAILS)
……………………………………………………………………………………
9. We must arrange every detail of the ceremony in advance. (MAPPED)
……………………………………………………………………………………
10. A motorbike is good for getting through the traffic. (WEAVE)
……………………………………………………………………………………
11. They choose John because he was the only one who spoke French.
(TIPPED)
………………………………………………………………………………….
12. How dare you say my work isn’t good enough! (JUDGMENT)
…………………………………………………………………………………
13. Gary is only waiting for the right opportunity to hand in his notice. (TIME)
……………………………………………………………………………………
14. We jogged all the way to the river but had to stop at the bridge. (STEAM)
……………………………………………………………………………………
15. Whatever we plan to do, Jack will stop us. (SPANNER)
……………………………………………………………………………………
16. He wasn’t quite so confident after you told him you were an Olympic boxer,
was he? (WIND)
………………………………………………………………………………….
17. I can always rely on you to calm things down, Gina. (POUR)
……………………………………………………………………………………
18. We shouldn’t give up now after we‘ve come so far. (TOWEL)
……………………………………………………………………………………
19. You’ll have to make a decision soon, you know. (FENCE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
20. When that virus got into my computer, I lost six months’ work. (SMOKE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
TEST EIGHT
1. I went to enormous trouble to find a wedding photographer in time.
(WATER)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
2. We got involved in so many details that the meeting lasted for hours.
(DOWN)
……………………………………………………………………………………
3. The strong wind carried off the kids’ kite. (BORNE)
……………………………………………………………………………………
4. It’s time you got rid of some of your inhibitions. (CAST)
……………………………………………………………………………………
5. I have been searching desperately for a new home help. (AROUND)
……………………………………………………………………………………
6. I’d be grateful if you’d keep this to yourself for the time being. (PUT)
……………………………………………………………………………………
7. Cole is a really terrible singer. (STRETCH)
……………………………………………………………………………………
8. I’ll explain everything to the new man when he arrives. (PICTURE)
……………………………………………………………………………………
9. Harry knows about the new regulations so let’s ask him. (PICK)
……………………………………………………………………………………
10. I don’t like the way your sister talks to me. (DIM)
……………………………………………………………………………………
11. Why did you have to cause so much trouble over something so
unimportant? (SONG)
…………………………………………………………………………………
12. The boss wasn’t impressed by Bill’s budget proposals. (ICE)
…………………………………………………………………………………
13. John and I have had an argument over the poor sales figure. (BRUSH)
…………………………………………………………………………………
14. Why don’t you try building a fountain in the garden? (STAB)
…………………………………………………………………………………
15. She married Tom although she loved Henry as well. (CRUNCH)
…………………………………………………………………………………
16. You can’t persuade Roger too deviate from the rules, can you? (BOOK)
…………………………………………………………………………………
17. Perhaps I’ll do what you did and learn Spanish. (LEAF)
……………………………………………………………………………………
18. You’ll get the maximum punishment when they find out what you’ve done.
…………………………………………………………………………………
19. I tried to show Jim a faster way of working but he’s too set in his ways, isn’t
he? (TRICKS)
……………………………………………………………………………………
20. She talked so much I was unable to join in the conversation. (WORD)
……………………………………………………………………………………
TEST NINE
1. The time has come to deal with your problems. (GRIPS)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
2. It took me ages to learn how to surf properly. (KNACK)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
3. James got furious when he found out about her lies. (WIND)
………………………………………………………………………………….
4. I’m sure he will be back to full health soon. (FEET)

…………………………………………………………………………………..
5. She‘s desperately trying to keep out of financial trouble and not go bankrupt.
(HEAD)
……………………………………………………………………………………
6. There’s trouble ahead and we should be extremely careful. (CLOUDS)
……………………………………………………………………………………
7. Danny finally reasoned when they threatened to fire him. (SENSES)
……………………………………………………………………………………
8. I completely emptied the drawers but couldn’t find the address. (INSIDE)
……………………………………………………………………………………
9. It really put Betty in her place when the boss said she was the office junior.
(PEG)
……………………………………………………………………………………
10. I think having to earn his own living was quite a shock to Billy. (EARTH)
……………………………………………………………………………………
11. I’m only here for a minute; I’m due at the hospital shortly. (FLYING)
……………………………………………………………………………………
12. We are in a very difficult situation and will have to do what the lawyer says.
(BACKS)
……………………………………………………………………………………
13. Why don’t you two forget your differences and become friends again?
(HATCHET)
……………………………………………………………………………………
14. On the understanding that you talk frankly, I’m willing to listen. (SPADE)
……………………………………………………………………………………
15. Now that he’s divorced, Sam is trying to get his life back to normal and start
afresh. (PIECES)
……………………………………………………………………………………
16. Ben is incredibly witty when he is in a good mood. (RAZOR)
……………………………………………………………………………………
17. The rehearsal went off without any problems in the end. (HITCH)
………………………………………………………………………………….
18. We will only be able to afford a holiday if we are very strict with our
expenses. (REIN)
………………………………………………………………………………….
19. The documentary made me realize how poor many people are in other parts
of the world. (HOME)
………………………………………………………………………………….
20. Andrew rarely says how good he is at things, even though he’s very
talented. (BLOW)
……………………………………………………………………………………
TEST TEN
1. By agreeing to help him out financially, you’ll only be causing problems for
yourself. (GRAVE)
……………………………………………………………………………………
2. The military parade was just the government showing its power before the
elections. (MUSCLES)
……………………………………………………………………………………
3. Were he to speak in a clearer fashion, I could follow his argument.

(THREAD)
……………………………………………………………………………………
4. I didn’t think much of what Tom suggested. (STORE)
……………………………………………………………………………………
5. He shot the bottles from the top of the wall, one by one. (OFF)
……………………………………………………………………………………
6. Carter was not popular at work because he never associated with anyone.
(ALOOF)
……………………………………………………………………………………
7. He has tons of money since he won the lottery. (FILTHY)
……………………………………………………………………………………
8. Don still has very little experience so we should be patient. (EARS)
……………………………………………………………………………………
9. The two brothers have been quarrelling about the property for years.
(LOGGERHEADS)
……………………………………………………………………………………
10. I’d prefer not to discuss our problems in front of our friends. (DIRTY)
……………………………………………………………………………………
11. The boss is in a really bad mood today. (BED)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
12. He reserved positions and defeated him. (TABLES)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
13. I was assured of success, then he withdrew his support. (RUG)

……………………………………………………………………………………
14. It‘s rather a dull plat, but I think a coat of paint will make it a lot brighter.
(JAZZ)
……………………………………………………………………………………
15. That Chinese porcelain vase is sold for a price far below its true value, if
you ask me. (SONG)
……………………………………………………………………………………
16. After fifty years of isolation, they’ve begun opening up to the west in the
hope of receiving financial assistance. (OVERTURES)
……………………………………………………………………………………
17. When he realized she was heir to a fortune, his whole attitude towards her
changed. (TUNE)
………………………………………………………………………………….
18. I felt like a new person after I‘d had my hip operation. (LEASE)
………………………………………………………………………………….
19. The guide book speaks highly of this hotel. (SEAL)
………………………………………………………………………………….
20. He will be the one to accept responsibility for this affair. (CAN)
………………………………………………………………………………….
TEST ELEVEN
1. You would have enjoyed yourself if you had come to Cuba with us. (LIFE)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
2. My teacher doesn’t like me and never leaves me alone. (IN)
………………………………………………………………………………….
3. To be frank, I’m not looking forward to spending the whole summer with
them. (RELISH)
………………………………………………………………………………….
4. The delegate spoke in great detail about the changes. (LENGTH)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
5. Why don’t we split the taxi fare? (HALVES)
………………………………………………………………………………….
6. The cheque they got helped enormously to pay for their honeymoon.
(WAY)
………………………………………………………………………………….
7. The firm had a lot of success in the soft drinks market. (KILLING)
………………………………………………………………………………….
8. There are several other people ready to do this job if you can’t. (WINGS)
………………………………………………………………………………….
9. You will have no success if you think you can make her change her mind.
(LOSING)
…………………………………………………………………………………
10. Punk fashion was at its peak in the late seventies. (HEYDAY)
…………………………………………………………………………………
11. Few people approved of his presence at the funeral. (FROWNED)
………………………………………………………………………………
12. They were totally unprepared for my arrival. (UNAWARES)
……………………………………………………………………………….
13. Resigning to annoy your boss is really only hurting yourself and you know
it. (NOSE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
14. His father left him no money in his will. (CUT)
………………………………………………………………………………..
15. Her remark took me completely by surprise. (GUARD)
…………………………………………………………………………………
16. You are leaving very late if you want to be at the airport on time. (FINE)
………………………………………………………………………………….
17. He doesn’t know what’s happening in the theatre world any more.
(TOUCH)
………………………………………………………………………………….
18. If anyone asks you, just tell them you didn’t know. (PLEAD)
………………………………………………………………………………….
19. Working in the mines all those years affected his health. (TOLL)
………………………………………………………………………………..
20. He wouldn’t stop saying flattering things about me at the reception.

(PAYING)
………………………………………………………………………………..
TEST TWELVE
1. If you don’t follow his advice, you will pay far more than necessary.
(NOSE)
………………………………………………………………………………….
2. She regards everyone who’s not a member of her family as inferior.

(DOWN)
………………………………………………………………………………….
3. I should think very carefully before I made that decision, if I were you.
(LEAP)
………………………………………………………………………………….
4. Rachel worked miracles to get Jackie the editor’s job in her company.
(HEAVEN)
………………………………………………………………………………….
5. He gets annoyed when you refer to his family backgrounds. (SKIN)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
6. Alexander the Great controlled most of the ancient world. (SWAY)
………………………………………………………………………………….
7. Barry is determined to have a holiday in the States this year. (SET)
……………………………………………………………………………………
8. In no time, the new chairman was doing exactly what the board wanted.
(EATING)
…………………………………………………………………………………
9. Carolyn‘s just another of those people fighting a lost cause, I’m afraid.
(BLEEDING)
………………………………………………………………………………….
10. Philip worked his very hardest to get through his exams. (NECK)
………………………………………………………………………………….
11. Wendy suddenly felt petrified when the lights went out and she was left in
the dark. (COLD)
………………………………………………………………………………….
12. Jenny couldn’t relax at all during the interview. (BUNDLE)
………………………………………………………………………………….
13. The audience didn’t stop laughing for two hours during Reluctant Heroes.
(STITCHES)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
14. They sent new instructions with very little warning and that caused a lot of
trouble. (NOTICE)
………………………………………………………………………………….
15. In my opinion, his remarks were totally unsuitable for the occasion.
(KEEPING)
………………………………………………………………………………….
16. We’re nearly finished, we’ve just got a couple of small things to do before
we leave. (LOOSE)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
17. The Managing Director arrived just as the meeting was about to end, as
usual. (CLOSE)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
18. In a feeble attempt to make everyone relax, John cracked a joke. (ICE)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
19. Her parents have forbidden her to go to pubs. (SET)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
20. I think we‘ve got the worst part of this work done. (BACK)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
TEST THIRTEEN
1. To clear up misunderstanding, he wrote to the press to deny any
involvement in the affair. (RECORD)
………………………………………………………………………………….
2. For the first couple of years in the business, we were happy just to cover our
costs. (EVEN)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
3. Julie forgets everything you tell her. (EAR)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
4. The new restaurant has terrific food. (WORLD)
…………………………………………………………………………………
5. Couldn’t they find anyone better than Rosa to represent them? (BOTTOM)
…………………………………………………………………………………
6. I hardly remember the house where I lived as a child. (HAZY)
…………………………………………………………………………………
7. A good way to forget one’s problems is to listen to music. (MIND)
…………………………………………………………………………………
8. We must remember that the economy is in serious trouble. (SIGHT)
………………………………………………………………………………….
9. Her troubles were written clearly on the face. (ETCHED)
………………………………………………………………………………….
10. I’ve filled in so many tax-forms I can do them in my sleep. (ART)

………………………………………………………………………………….
11. Why do some people make such a great fuss of the simplest situation?
(DRAMA)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
12. Just because his brother is a criminal doesn’t mean Gareth is one, too.
(BRUSH)
………………………………………………………………………………….
13. You shouldn’t judge people by their appearance. (COVER)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
14. He told us an amusing story about his trip to Finland. (ACCOUNT)
………………………………………………………………………………….
15. Residents are trying to persuade the company to relocate the factory.
(PRESSURE)
………………………………………………………………………………….
16. Many countries have yet to promise to abolish the use of landmines.
(UNDERTAKING)
…………………………………………………………………………………
17. Pam always maintains her composure in any crisis. (HEAD)
………………………………………………………………………………….
18. Why do you criticize everything I do? (HOLES)
………………………………………………………………………………….
19. Readjusting one’s life after a personal tragedy can be a very slow process.
(PIECES)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
20. Staying cheerful in times of trouble is not something everyone can do.
(SPIRITS)
………………………………………………………………………………….
TEST FOURTEEN
1. It’s a thriller that has you riveted all the way through. (SUSPENSE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
2. I am not happy with you. (BONE)
…………………………………………………………………………………
3. William is a very private person. (HIMSELF)
………………………………………………………………………………….
4. The police think the robbery was an inside job. (HALLMARKS)
…………………………………………………………………………………...
5. Debbie is the only one who knows everything there is to know in this
office. (ROPES)
………………………………………………………………………………….
6. The least we can do is talk about his ideas for a while before we decide.
(KICK)
………………………………………………………………………………….
7. The Jones and Smith families seem always to be at loggerheads. (BLOOD)
………………………………………………………………………………….
8. I know we all make mistakes but did you really have to marry him? (ERR)
…………………………………………………………………………………
9. “The headmasters should not allow older boys to pick on the juniors.” said
Mrs. Brown. (GANG)
…………………………………………………………………………………
10. Many people say that nine times out of ten the law makes no sense. (ASS)
…………………………………………………………………………………
11. Roy and Jackie never seem to have anything but good to say about each
other. (MUTUAL)
………………………………………………………………………………..
12. Wanting what other people have is a waste of time, energy and money.
(JONESES)
………………………………………………………………………………….
13. The situation has been grossly exaggerated, I’m afraid. (BLOWN)
………………………………………………………………………………….
14. Although the article may make sense, I think it’s making too much of the
point. (POINT)
…………………………………………………………………………………...
15. Mr. Atkinson is a very well – respected member of the community.

(ESTEEM)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
16. I’m having a hard time finding a second-hand petrol pump for my car.
(HANDS)
………………………………………………………………………………….
17. Although they tried hard to convince her, Claire would not change her
opinion. (FAST)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
18. Can you look after the shop for a couple of hours tomorrow? (FORT)
………………………………………………………………………………….
19. Derek does not appreciate that Lisa risked her career to save his job.
(CAREER)
………………………………………………………………………………….
20. Why don’t you be frank with us and tell us what‘s on your mind? (LAY)
………………………………………………………………………………….
TEST FIFTEEN
1. My brother is very attached to his stamp collection, and keeps it locked up.
(DEAR)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
2. A true patriot would willingly die for his country. (LAY)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
3. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to try and help us. (BACKWARDS)
………………………………………………………………………………….
4. The two sides met with a view to settling the problem. (IRONING)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
5. Don’t decide right away – give it some thought and ring me next week.
(SLEEP)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
6. In this company, nobody’s job is regarded as important. (COG)
………………………………………………………………………………….
7. Trapeze artists who perform without a net must have tremendous courage.
(STEEL)
………………………………………………………………………………….
8. Erik is never happier than when he’s out on the lake in his boat.
(ELEMENT)
………………………………………………………………………………….
9. The negotiator achieved the impossible when he got both sides to meet for
talks. (SQUARED)
………………………………………………………………………………….
10. If you peel some potatoes it will get us started. (WHEELS)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
11. You just don’t think at all, giving a lift to perfect strangers. (ATOM)
………………………………………………………………………………….
12. It took a lot of time and effort to get Ron’s new business started.
(GROUND)
…………………………………………………………………………………...
13. It’s a shame to quit now that you have come so far. (TOWEL)
………………………………………………………………………………….
14. The Prime Minister felt it appropriate to make a statement. (FIT)
………………………………………………………………………………….
15. If I were you, I wouldn’t trust him to do the job properly. (MONEY)
………………………………………………………………………………….
16. He says he didn’t know, so we ‘ll just have to take his word for it.
(BENEFIT)
………………………………………………………………………………….
17. Could you take a quick look at this letter before I post it? (RUN)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
18. I’m sure that once he’s learned the system, he’ll perform well. (OWN)
………………………………………………………………………………….
19. If necessary, I’ll testify in court. (CRUNCH)
………………………………………………………………………………….
20. He’s the clumsiest person in the world when it comes to mending anything.
(THUMBS)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
TEST SIXTEEN
1. I would not say no to a free weekend in that hotel. (NOSE)
…………………………………………………………………………….
2. The jury found the accused man guilty. (VERDICT)
...............................................................................................................
3. The press revealed the truth after a long period of speculation. (OPEN)
…………………………………………………………………………….
4. With the qualifications you certainly don’t have to be forced into a

decision, Sandy. (OPTIONS)
……………………………………………………………………………..
5. Now it’s up to you to do something about the situation. (BALL)
……………………………………………………………………………….
6. Why did you decide to do such a stupid thing? (HEAD)
……………………………………………………………………………….
7. It will be a difficult task to persuade him. (DOING)

………………………………………………………………………………..
8. Brazil won the 2002 World Cup easily. (PUSHOVER)
……………………………………………………………………………….
9. I can do that automatically, without even thinking about it. (EYES)
……………………………………………………………………………….
10. It’s not easy to work and be a mother, but people often forget that.
(PICNIC)
………………………………………………………………………………
11. Can you look after the place while I pop out for ten minutes? (HOLD)
………………………………………………………………………………
12. We‘ve got problems with the new machine, but they will soon be fixed.
(TROUBLES)
………………………………………………………………………………
13. The new restaurant has little to recommend it. (GOING)
………………………………………………………………………………
14. There is nothing Maurice wants more than to be a professional musician.

(SIGHTS)
……………………………………………………………………………..
15. People may need the company of others, but some prefer their own.
(ANIMAL)
………………………………………………………………………………
16. Dad has changed his mind completely and says you can take the car after
all. (TURN)
……………………………………………………………………………….
17. The factory workers were upset about the planned budget cuts. (ARMS)
………………………………………………………………………………..
18. She doesn’t feel comfortable with strangers. (EASE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
19. I think his experiments will succeed this time. (FRUIT)
………………………………………………………………………………..
20. With six children to look after, she’s extremely busy. (HANDS)
…………………………………………………………………………………
TEST SEVENTEEN
1. Their problems are all self-inflicted, if you ask me. (MAKING)
………………………………………………………………………………..
2. Mum is in charge of finances in our family, so you’ll have to ask her for
the money. (STRING)
………………………………………………………………………………
3. I know you hate watching football but try it out for once. (WHIRR)
……………………………………………………………………………..
4. It’s a quick and simple job; why do you always spend longer than
necessary on it? (MEAL)
………………………………………………………………………………
5. Everyone is talking about the Beckhams these days. (TALK)
……………………………………………………………………………….
6. The small village sustained most of the impact of the attack. (BRUNT)
………………………………………………………………………………
7. I wish I had voted for the liberal candidate. (CAST)
………………………………………………………………………………..
8. His work doesn’t meet the required standards. (SCRATCH)
………………………………………………………………………………..
9. He untied the boat and let it go without saying anything to anybody.

(ADRIFT)
………………………………………………………………………………..
10. She doubted my ability to make a success of the operation. (DOUBT)
……………………………………………………………………………….
11. The accident spoiled the game. (SHADOW)
………………………………………………………………………………..
12. His questioning didn’t bring out any new evidence in the case. (LIGHT)
………………………………………………………………………………..
13. The police asked her to try and remember the night of the crime.
(MIND)
……………………………………………………………………………….
14. The director is looking everywhere for a new lead actor. (NET)
……………………………………………………………………………….
15. How dare he call me incompetent! (NERVE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
16. Don’t get upset about it whatever you do. (HEART)
……………………………………………………………………………….
17. Has he gone mad? (LEAVE)

....................................................................................................................
18. Charles disappeared one day and no one’s seen him since. (BLUE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
19. That horrible hotel was our last choice. (PORT)
……………………………………………………………………………….
20. Jill became really jealous when I got a place at Oxford. (GREEN)
……………………………………………………………………………….
TEST EIGHTEEN
1. I told him to leave when he said that. (DOOR)
………………………………………………………………………………...
2. Don’t tell him or you’ll spoil the surprise. (GIVE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
3. Al Pacino gave the best performance of all as the bride’s father. (STOLE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
4. When it comes to money, I saw what he was really like. (COLORS)
……………………………………………………………………………….
5. Could you explain everything about the job to the new secretary
tomorrow? (ROPES)
………………………………………………………………………………
6. I don’t wish to appear more important than you, but I have this to say.
(UPSTAGE)
………………………………………………………………………………
7. The shops are near our house. (STONE)

……………………………………………………………………………….
8. He’s so wealthy he doesn’t even know what to do with his money.

(BURN)
………………………………………………………………………………
9. I have other, more important things to do, you know. (FRY)
……………………………………………………………………………….
10. They have quite a lot money saved for their retirement. (NEST)
………………………………………………………………………………..
11. You are going to have a difficult time finishing by six o’clock. (CUT)
………………………………………………………………………………..
12. He completely changed his opinion on the subject of tax reform. (U-
TURN)
………………………………………………………………………………..
13. Jim made a big mistake when he went into business with that crook.
(WRONG)
……………………………………………………………………………….
14. Speaking plainly and honestly, I wouldn’t dream of hiring him. (FINE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
15. I’m going to correct that misunderstanding as soon as I see her.

(RIGHT)
……………………………………………………………………………….
16. You should wait until Mike is here to defend himself, Sharon. (TRY)
……………………………………………………………………………….
17. You must let her tell her side of the story before you judge her.
(PLEAD)
………………………………………………………………………………
18. She managed to stay out of trouble since being released from prison.
(CLEAN)
……………………………………………………………………………..
19. Jacky Jones was accused of the robbery by a police informer. (FINGER)
……………………………………………………………………………..
20. Nobody has decided yet whether the new computer system is useful or
not. (OUT)
………………………………………………………………………………
TEST NINETEEN
1. She took a risk for the ex-convict when she got him the job with the
company she works at. (NECK)
……………………………………………………………………………….
2. In my opinion, there’s nothing else in the world to compare with the

Parthenon. (CLASS)
………………………………………………………………………………...
3. I think he knows what good manners are after your little speech today.
(THING)
………………………………………………………………………………
4. I know Liam so well that I always know what he’s thinking. (BOOK)
………………………………………………………………………………..
5. Jane always does things in the last minute. (HOUR)

………………………………………………………………………………..
6. Experience has taught me not to trust people too much. (HARD)
……………………………………………………………………………….
7. You won’t tell anyone about it, will you? (HAT)
………………………………………………………………………………..
8. Dad got really angry when I told him about the fight. (DEEP)
………………………………………………………………………………..
9. He was shabbily dressed and a little drunk as well. (HEEL)
………………………………………………………………………………..
10. Whatever you do, don’t annoy the boss when we ask for a rise. (UP)
………………………………………………………………………………
11. She wanted to object, but she kept quiet for the sake of peace. (LIP)
……………………………………………………………………………….
12. Nobody knows for sure whether he’s stupid or just very lazy. (BONE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
13. Do you have to be good at math for this job? (GOOD)
………………………………………………………………………………..
14. Joe should have kept quiet instead of arguing with dad. (HELD)
……………………………………………………………………………….
15. It was too foggy for us to get an aerial view of Paris. (EYE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
16. You will soon see that the boss is not as unpleasant as he seems at first.
(WORSE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
17. No, I don’t hate him for what he did. (BEAR)
……………………………………………………………………………….
18. Jane did go wrong in the past but now she has a chance to make it right
again. (CLEAN)
………………………………………………………………………………..
19. It’s perfectly obvious to all of us that they’re in love. (MILE)
…………………………………………………………………………….
20. Harry tricked me and made me pay for the whole meal. (PULLED)
……………………………………………………………………………..
TEST TWENTY
1. He likes to give the impression that he’s a perfect angel, but I know all
about his past. (WHITE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
2. She should see a doctor; she bruised herself terribly when she fell down
the stairs. (BLACK)
……………………………………………………………………………….
3. I’m not very popular with Uncle Edward at the moment. (BOOKS)
……………………………………………………………………………….
4. Jun never answers my questions. (MONTH)
………………………………………………………………………………..
5. Talking to her is useless - she doesn’t respond. (HEAD)

……………………………………………………………………………….
6. The town hall has approved the plans for the new sports centre. (GREEN)
………………………………………………………………………………...
7. You’d better get hurry if you want to be on time for the performance.
(SKATES)
…………………………………………………………………………………
8. My boss criticized me for not keeping my deadlines. (COALS)
………………………………………………………………………………
9. For two years, the company was in a difficult position making nothing but
losses. (RIDE)
………………………………………………………………………………
10. As I expected, my designs have outdone the designs of other architects.
(COCKED)
………………………………………………………………………………
11. As a young girl, I was strongly infatuated with my teacher of Spanish.
(HAD)
……………………………………………………………………………….
12. We’d better prepare ourselves right away. They’ve arrived. (GEAR)
………………………………………………………………………………..
13. Doing two jobs is making him become stressfull all the time. (STRAIN)
……………………………………………………………………………….
14. The basic problem is lack of money. (DOWN)
……………………………………………………………………………….
15. Whatever happens I’m determined to find out the truth. (BOTTOM)
……………………………………………………………………………….
16. If we have to paint the house before your parents come to visit, we’d
better start now. (GET)
……………………………………………………………………………….
17. After half an hour of small talk, we should talk about the important part
now. (DOWN)
……………………………………………………………………………….
18. When the waiters started to clean the tables, we knew that they wanted
us to leave. (MESSAGE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
19. I didn’t understand every detail of the lesson but I understood it
generally. (GIST)
………………………………………………………………………………..
20. Jimmy’s mother can’t stop talking about his achievements. (PRIDE)
………………………………………………………………………………...
CHUYÊN ĐỀ VIẾT LẠI CÂU (TRUNG BÌNH)

TEST ONE
1. I never thought of borrowing money from him. (OCCURRED)
……………………………………………………………………………….
2. Sheila is worried about the proposed changes at work. (PROSPECT)
…………………………………………………………………………….
3. Buenos Aires is much hotter than London. (NOWHERE)
……………………………………………………………………………..
4. I sure know the man’s name but I can’t quite remember it. (TONGUE)
………………………………………………………………………………
5. That woman looks an awful lot like my mother. (BEARS)
……………………………………………………………………………..
6. May is bound to pass her exam. (FOREGONE)
…………………………..........................................................................
7. Now that your situation is the same as mine, I don’t suppose you think
it’s funny. (BOAT)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
8. This song reminds me of my trip to the South of France. (MIND)
………………………………………………………………………………
9. Carolyn has accepted that she’ll never be selected for the team.
(HERSELF)
……………………………………………………………………………..
10. He made a mistake of thinking he could do anything he liked around

here. (AWAY)
…………………………………………………………………………….
11. The agricultural plan will cause a lot of objections from dairy farmers.
(RISE)
………………………………………………………………………………
12. It was impossible to tell from her papers who she really was. (CLUE)
……………………………………………………………………………..
13. It’s the easiest thing in the world, just don’t be afraid. (NOTHING)
……………………………………………………………………………..
14. Several local residents are against the council’s plans to build a bypass.
(OBJECTIONS)
…………………………………………………………………………….
15. If you had phrased your remark more tactfully, he wouldn’t have been
offended by it. (OFFENCE)
……………………………………………………………………………..
16. In all likelihood the board of directors will choose Derek rather than
Neil. (BOARD)
……………………………………………………………………………..
17. The old schoolhouse is in very bad condition and the council should do
something about it. (DECAY)
……………………………………………………………………………..
18. I just cannot understand why she said that. (LOSS)
……………………………………………………………………………..
19. You must make sure this never happens again or there will be trouble.
(SEE)
...............................................................................................................
20. This hotel could do with a facelift. (DAYS)
…………………………………………………………………………….
TEST TWO
1. The press claim he was present when the signing took place. (SPOT)
…………………………………………………………………………….
2. The doctor says Harry’s health is improving. (SIGNS)
……………………………………………………………………………..
3. However much I try to figure it out, I still have no idea how he did it.
(BEAT)
………………………………………………………………………………
4. What he said is evidence of the fact that he’s a liar. (WITNESS)
……………………………………………………………………………….
5. He conceded that, in retrospect, he had made the wrong decision.

(HINDSIGHT)
………………………………………………………………………………
6. Our photocopier frequently breaks down. (PRONE)
……………………………………………………………………………..
7. We went to say our last goodbye to the great statesman at his funeral.
(RESPECTS)
……………………………………………………………………………..
8. Hobbs disobeyed orders and now he’s suffering for it. (PENALTY)
………………………………………………………………………………
9. I have to write everything out in triplicate and I’m completely fed up

with it. (DEATH)
……………………………………………………………………………..
10. The trouble with Thomas is that he has such a pessimistic outlook on
everything. (DARK)
…………………………………………………………………………….
11. Jenkins is the first person to have scored so many goals in the history
of the school team. (RECORD)
……………………………………………………………………………..
12. Henry is really angry with Freddie again. (BOOKS)
……………………………………………………………………………...
13. When threatened, chameleons do not move a muscle. (STATUE)
……………………………………………………………………………..
14. We should make a move before dad gets home. (WEAVING)
………………………………………………………………………………
15. Plans are in progress for a new children’s hospital. (UNDER)
………………………………………………………………………………
16. It’s time you realized that he has no intention of paying money back.
(WOKE)
……………………………………………………………………………..
17. The book is slow in the beginning but the action gets faster after a
while. (PICKS)
………………………………………………………………………………
18. We are scheduled to discuss that matter at the next meeting.

(AGENDA)
……………………………………………………………………………
19. Fiona will not join the strike because she thinks it is morally incorrect.
(PRINCIPAL)
…………………………………………………………………………….
20. Real Madrid lost heavily to Barcelona in the quarter final. (DEFEAT)
…………………………………………………………………………….
TEST THREE
1. I can’t believe he said that to her face. (CAME)
………………………………………………………………………………
2. Try and forget the whole experience or it will upset you and your family.
(BEHIND)
………………………………………………………………………………..
3. Don’t you think it’s time you went to bed, David? (TURNED)
……………………………………………………………………………….
4. I could just discern the figure of a man through the fog. (OUT)
………………………………………………………………………………
5. Our plans to visit Jamaica this summer have fallen through again.
(NOTHING)
……………………………………………………………………………….
6. He talked about nothing but the weather. (SOLE)

……………………………………………………………………………….
7. The proposals are acceptable to everybody. (RAISED)
………………………………………………………………………………
8. The jumper you knitted for my daughter no longer fits her. (GROWN)
……………………………………………………………………………….
9. The employment scheme proved to be unsuccessful after all. (MET)
………………………………………………………………………………..
10. Don’t forget those at work on this lovely, sunny day. (SPARE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
11. It is quite obvious that he’s doing no work whatsoever. (ESCAPING)
……………………………………………………………………………….
12. Whatever you do, don’t mention the subject of his accident. (UP)
…………………………………………………………………………….....
13. Sue is always ready to help you out. (TURN)
………………………………………………………………………………..
14. When we went to London, we visited all the interesting places.

(SIGHTS)
………………………………………………………………………………..
15. These tools will accomplish the task in half the time. (TRICK)
………………………………………………………………………………...
16. Edward might not agree to the proposal. (OPEN)
………………………………………………………………………………..
17. I took an aspirin for my toothache but it didn’t help at all.

(DIFFERENCE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
18. He owed so much money that his business went bankrupt. (DEEP)
………………………………………………………………………………
19. You ‘ll have to manage with the old computer for a few more months.
(DO)
………………………………………………………………………………..
20. I managed to persuade John not to resign. (TALK)
……………………………………………………………………………….
TEST FOUR
1. So long as the examiner can read your handwriting, he’ll accept your
answer. (LEGIBLE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
2. What he said had nothing to do with the subject we were discussing. (NO)
………………………………………………………………………………...
3. The board of directors is still thinking about the new salary proposals.
(UNDER)
……………………………………………………………………………….
4. Don’t sell your house until you have considered it carefully. (TWICE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
5. I object very strongly to what he said and I’ll let him know.
(EXCEPTION)
……………………………………………………………………………….
6. I didn’t work long hours because I was aware of health risks. (BETTER)
……………………………………………………………………………….
7. They decided not to go by boat because they thought they would be

seasick. (PROMPTED)
………………………………………………………………………………..
8. It’s only to look at. You can’t use it, sir. (SHOW)
………………………………………………………………………………..
9. He’s always happy to help you out. (SHOWS)
………………………………………………………………………………..
10. Becoming the centre of attraction was all he wanted. (STAGE)
………………………………………………………………………………
11. Don’t forget that whatever happens, we mustn't give up, Robin.
(SHOW)
……………………………………………………………………………….
12. You would benefit from taking out holiday insurance. (BEST)
………………………………………………………………………………..
13. I’m afraid I’m just about to leave for work. (POINT)
………………………………………………………………………………..
14. Twelve people lost their jobs in the company’s reorganisation.

(REDUNDANT)
………………………………………………………………………………..
15. That city ‘s worth visiting – it’s got just about everything. (GOING)
………………………………………………………………………………...
16. He speaks the English language well. (COMMAND)
………………………………………………………………………………..
17. I think we’re going back to where we started, Robert. (ROUND)
………………………………………………………………………………..
18. I don’t have to give him any money until the end of next week. (NEED)
………………………………………………………………………………...
19. His accident ruined any hopes of an international career. (PAID)
………………………………………………………………………………..
20. I think at least the minister should attend the meeting for a short time.
(AN)
………………………………………………………………………………..
TEST FIVE
1. I tried to make her feel comfortable but in vain. (EASE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
2. It’s impossible to express it in another way, Mr Dean. (DIFFERENTLY)
……………………………………………………………………………….
3. You are on your own! I’m not going to save you this time. (RESCUE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
4. Your car license has expired, sir. (OUT)
………………………………………………………………………………
5. According to Joe, her English will improve if she subscribes to that

magazine. (SUBSCRIPTION)
……………………………………………………………………………….
6. The pilot endangered all our lives during the flight. (IN)
………………………………………………………………………………..
7. Our getting the contract depends on Jonathan. (ON)
……………………………………………………………………………….
8. A police car stopped outside the house. (UP)
……………………………………………………………………………….
9. I don’t know the first thing about aeronautics. (IGNORANT)
………………………………………………………………………………..
10. Why Roy can’t accept the fact that he is incompetent? (FACE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
11. I know that it’s true because he told me himself. (LIPS)
………………………………………………………………………………..
12. The prisoners have still not been captured. (LARGE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
13. We did nothing yesterday so we must do extra today. (MAKE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
14. He mentioned the delays we experienced last year. (REFERENCE)
………………………………………………………………………………...
15. Clap your hands and that dog will run away. (TURN)
………………………………………………………………………………
16. I didn’t go to their party because I didn’t feel like it. (MOOD)
………………………………………………………………………………
17. He came very close to having a fatal accident. (INCH)

……………………………………………………………………………….
18. Nobody in the whole room blushed but me. (RED)
……………………………………………………………………………….
19. He was so angry his face changed color. (BLUE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
20. It wasn’t my intention to be in the red for so long, Mr. Philips. (MEAN)
……………………………………………………………………………….
TEST SIX
1. We simply cannot afford to buy a new car this year. (IN)
……………………………………………………………………………….
2. Could you leave out the technical details and tell me how this battery
works? (SCIENCE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
3. The technical staff went on strike in sympathy with the pilots. (CAME)
……………………………………………………………………………….
4. They had planned to stay two months in India at first. (INTENTION)
………………………………………………………………………………..
5. I doubt that they will turn down your invitation. (TURN)
………………………………………………………………………………...
6. The project received the unanimous approval of the committee.

(FAVOUR)
……………………………………………………………………………….
7. He was promoted to captain because he was a fine leader. (VIRTUE)
……………………………………………………………………………….
8. Everyone knows that Jesse Owens was one of the best athletes ever.
(STANDARDS)
……………………………………………………………………………….
9. Nobody knows whether he will take part in the race or not. (NO)
………………………………………………………………………………..
10. From what everyone says, he’s been to prison at least five times.
(ACCOUNTS)
………………………………………………………………………………..
11. David is too boring to join us on a weekend camping trip. (BLANKET)
……………………………………………………………………………….
12. The management’s statement does not conform at all to previous policy.
(TOTAL)
……………………………………………………………………………….
13. My father was serious when he told you not to come here again.
(MEANT)
………………………………………………………………………………..
14. I knew it was a risky investment, but I didn’t expect to lose every penny.
(BANK)
……………………………………………………………………………….
15. I was aware it was hard work, but I didn’t realise I had to work every
weekend. (FOR)
……………………………………………………………………………….
16. The cash dispenser hasn’t worked for weeks. (OUT)
………………………………………………………………………………...
17. I always beat dad when we play chess. (BETTER)
………………………………………………………………………………...
18. Even though this passport has expired, they allowed him to travel on it.
(REGARDLESS)
………………………………………………………………………………
19. When I last saw Jackson he was going to the park. (FOR)
……………………………………………………………………………….
20. The landlord cheated them and wouldn’t give them their deposit back.
(OUT)
………………………………………………………………………………..
TEST SEVEN
1. I don’t know how he ‘ll ever compensate for what he’s done. (MAKE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
2. It’s amazing how she’s managing to stay so strong during this difficult
time. (UP)
………………………………………………………………………………..
3. Be a little patient and I will explain everything to you. (WITH)
……………………………………………………………………………….
4. What you say has nothing to do with what I’m discussing. (UPON)
……………………………………………………………………………….
5. Everyone started laughing when Bert imitated the boss. (OFF)

………………………………………………………………………………..
6. A German company has bought our factory. (OVER)
………………………………………………………………………………...
7. He’s made friends with the kids next door. (UP)
………………………………………………………………………………..
8. He did not fool me in the least with his lies. (IN)
………………………………………………………………………………..
9. The weather wasn’t good enough for us to sail that day. (AGAINST)
………………………………………………………………………………...
10. The accounts manager has been taken to court for fraud. (UP)
…………………………………………………………………………….......
11. He picked up the model plane and it broke into pieces. (APART)
………………………………………………………………………………...
12. The essential thing here is how committed you are to the company.
(DOWN)
………………………………………………………………………………...
13. A new tomb has been found by Austrian archaeologists. (ACROSS)
………………………………………………………………………………...
14. Did you make them understand what you wanted them to do?
(ACROSS)
……………………………………………………………………………….
15. He was lucky that the judge only gave him a suspended sentence. (OFF)
………………………………………………………………………………..
16. Malcolm does not think he will be able to attend the wedding.
(DOUBTS)
………………………………………………………………………………...
17. This setback seems disastrous now but it may be better for us in the end.
(TURN)
………………………………………………………………………………...
18. I think Jack has his own reason for helping you. (ULTERIOR)
………………………………………………………………………………...
19. Mary did really well in the marathon. (ACCOUNT)
………………………………………………………………………………..
20. The most important question here today is whether we accept divorce or
not. (BURNING)
……………………………………………………………………………….
TEST EIGHT
1. Though it looks bad now, it’ll be ok in the end. (RUN)
………………………………………………………………………………..
2. Unfortunately, he is flat broke these days. (PENNY)
………………………………………………………………………………
3. His writing isn’t worse than yours. (NO)
……………………………………………………………………………….
4. Her feet were freezing. (ICE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
5. Don’t pay any attention to what he says. (NOTICE)
………………………………………………………………………………...
6. After the scandal, he was asked to resign immediately. (IN)
……………………………………………………………………………….
7. Being a tennis coach doesn’t really suit him, you know. (OUT)
………………………………………………………………………………...
8. I want to stay out of this quarrel. (SIDES)
………………………………………………………………………………...
9. Lee was fired after only six months. (SACK)
………………………………………………………………………………...
10. The number of employees at the factory has been reduced. (CUTBACK)
………………………………………………………………………………..
11. “What you tell me will never go beyond these four walls”, he said. (IN)
………………………………………………………………………………..
12. Isn’t it time you confessed and admitted you leaked the information?
(CLEAN)
………………………………………………………………………………...
13. The workers stopped speaking to their workmate as he voted against the
strike. (SENT)
………………………………………………………………………………...
14. James must be totally crazy if he thinks I’d agree to such a plan. (OUT)
………………………………………………………………………………...
15. The baby is a bit sick today and seems to do nothing but cry. (SORTS)
………………………………………………………………………………...
16. I don’t really care where we go tonight. (DIFFERENCE)
………………………………………………………………………………...
17. The way you reacted to her question was completely over the top.
(OUT)
………………………………………………………………………………...
18. This doesn’t concern you, so stay out of it. (MIND)
………………………………………………………………………………...
19. If they weren’t always working against each other, they’d do a lot better.
(IN)
………………………………………………………………………………...
20. I’m sure he didn’t know his brother was seriously ill. (POSSIBLY)
………………………………………………………………………………..
TEST NINE
1. Mark knows all about motorbikes. (WIDE)
...........................................................................................................................
2. Hiking twenty miles a day doesn’t sound like much fun to me. (IDEA)
...........................................................................................................................
3. Her cryptic comments made me uneasy. (LEFT)
...........................................................................................................................
4. It’s a wonderful idea, but can you use it in real life? (PUT)
……………………………………………………………………………….
5. John and I do not have any kind of financial agreement. (INTO)
………………………………………………………………………………..
6. Life has its ups and downs and you must learn to face both. (ROUGH)
………………………………………………………………………………..
7. I don’t think we will be ready for the concert this weekend. (PUT)
………………………………………………………………………………...
8. I think living in the country suits you more. (OFF)
………………………………………………………………………………...
9. You didn’t have to make all these preparations just for me. (GONE)
………………………………………………………………………………..
10. I‘ve never heard that name before, I’m afraid. (NOTHING)
………………………………………………………………………………..
11. Dave was ill for a week, but he’s now out of bed and doing things again.
(UP)
……………………………………………………………………………….
12. I like to play the piano now and again to make sure I haven’t lost my
touch. (TIME)
……………………………………………………………………………….
13. Your injured back means you do not have to serve in the army. (FROM)
……………………………………………………………………………….
14. Mark is spending more than he earns at the moment. (BEYOND)

………………………………………………………………………………..
15. The cheetah easily caught the gazelle. (STAND)
………………………………………………………………………………..
16. I can’t believe he said that to her face. (CAME)
………………………………………………………………………………..
17. Sara inherited the house from her father. (LEFT)
………………………………………………………………………………...
18. I had a disagreement with Alice about the party. (OF)
………………………………………………………………………………...
19. You acted quickly and that saved many lives. (PROMPT)
………………………………………………………………………………...
20. Luckily, they were able to return to Anne’s idea when John’s plan failed.
(BACK)
……………………………………………………………………………….
TEST TEN
1. How would you deal with such a challenge? (PRESENTED)
……………………………………………………………………………….
2. Don’t worry you will be well taken care of at the hospital. (GOOD)
………………………………………………………………………………..
3. Saying something is not the same as doing it. (WORLD)
……………………………………………………………………………….
4. It’s yours forever, but remember that I gave it to you. (FOR)
………………………………………………………………………………..
5. I don’t care if he meant it or not. The fact is, he said it. (IMMATERIAL)
……………………………………………………………………………….
6. We worked continuously to get the project done. (AROUND)
………………………………………………………………………………...
7. While she was pregnant, she was always longing to eat anchovies. (HAD)
………………………………………………………………………………...
8. There’s a lot of money depending on the success of this venture.

(STAKE)
………………………………………………………………………………...
9. There are widely differing opinions on the morality of cloning humans.

(SCHOOL)
……………………………………………………………………………….
10. Nobody at this school has ever done such a thing before.
(PRECEDENT)
……………………………………………………………………………….
11. You can’t possibly be a social worker if you can’t accept

others’opinions. (MIND)
……………………………………………………………………………….
12. You’ll have to wait and see whether the new girl can do the job or not.
(TELL)
………………………………………………………………………………
policy. (FEW)
……………………………………………………………………………….
14. The two horses were exactly equal as they crossed the finishing line.
(NECK)
………………………………………………………………………………..
15. The players were given an encouraging talk before the game
commenced. (PEP)
………………………………………………………………………………...
16. They may be brother and sister but they are very different in their
attitude to politics. (APART)
………………………………………………………………………………...
17. Ours is the only company allowed to import these chemicals. (HAS)
……………………………………………………………………………….
18. The shipwrecked sailors were washed up on the beach late at night.
(CAST)
………………………………………………………………………………

(PAYING)
………………………………………………………………………………..
20. If you really want to try and get into acting school, I won’t stop you.
(PATH)
…………………………………………………………………………………
CHUYÊN ĐỀ VIẾT LẠI CÂU (DỄ)
ANSWER KEY
TEST 1
1. She is proud of her cooking.
- She prides herself on her cooking.
- Pride oneself on something: to feel a satisfaction at a quality or a skill that

you have.
2. The loss of the account was not our fault.
- We are not to blame for the loss of the account.
- Be to blame for something: used to say that someone or something is

responsible for something bad
3. She found her book so interesting that she didn’t even hear me.
- She was so engrossed in her book that she didn’t even hear me.
- Be engrossed in something: giving all your attention to something
4. Julian is proud of his stamp collection.
- Julian takes pride in his stamp collection.
- Take pride in something: be proud of something
5. We ought to have dropped in on Muriel when we were in town.
- We ought to have paid Muriel a visit when we were in town.
- Pay someone a visit: visit someone
6. Amanda always turns shy when there are adults around.
- Amanda always turns shy in the presence of adults.
- In the presence of someone: when someone is present

7. He said I could concentrate on more important matters.
- He said I ought to turn my attention to more important matters.
8. Jason and I shared the driving.
- Jason and I took turns to do the driving.
- Take turns to do something: to alternate in doing something
9. Roger is now responsible for the whole sales department.
- Roger is now in charge of the whole sales department.
- Be in charge of: be responsible for
10. This matter has nothing to do with her.
- This matter is no concern of her.
- No concern of someone: none of someone’s business
11. Suppose they don’t grant him his right to see a lawyer?
- What if they deprive him of his right to see a lawyer?
- Deprive someone of something: take something away from someone
12. Time is precious, so can we please hurry?
- We are running short of time, so can we please hurry?
- Run short of something: something is being used up
13. If you carry out your threat, there’s a good chance that you will be
prosecuted.
- If you carry out your threat, you run the risk of being prosecuted.
- Run the risk of something: risk having something
14. According to the newspaper, there are plenty of jobs going in Australia.
- According to the newspaper, there is an abundance of jobs in Australia.

15. I travelled through France for a week.
- I spent a week travelling through France.
16. Andrew enjoys teasing his sister all the time.
- Andrew takes delight in teasing his sister all the time
- Take delight in something: have fun doing something.
17. Noel seems to enjoy making people feel uncomfortable.
- Noel seems to take pleasure in making people feel uncomfortable.
- Take pleasure in doing something: enjoy doing something
18. Picasso played a major role in the development of the 20th century art
movement.
- Picasso made a major contribution to the development of the 20th century

art movement.
- Make a contribution to something: play a major role in something
19. He always had everything he wanted as a child.
- Never did he go short of anything he wanted as a child.
- Go short of something: to begin to not have enough of something
20. We don’t need to buy any more detergent just yet.
- We have enough detergent to be going on with.
TEST 2
1. Sergeant Tucker is away until the end of the month.
- Sergeant Tucker is on leave until the end of the month.
2. The two models are much the same.
- There is nothing to choose between the two models.

3. David should concentrate more on his studies.
- David should apply himself more to his studies.
4. If he continues to be rude to her, she’s going to give him a piece of her

mind.
- If he persists in being rude to her, she’s going to give him a piece of her
mind.
5. It’s really worth knowing people in high places sometimes.
- It pays to know people in the high places sometimes.
6. Your father will never allow you to marry Alec.
- Your father will never give his consent to your marrying Alec.
Give consent to something: approve of something
7. Judging by the outside of the house, very rich people live here.
- By the look of the outside of the house, very rich people live here.
8. That the socialists won the election was totally unexpected.
- The socialists’winning the election came as a surprise.
9. The police will keep him in custody until they have proof he is not a
terrorist.
- He will not be set free until they have proof he is not a terrorist.
10. Women all over the world copied the Princess Diana look.
- Princess Diana set a trend that women all over the world copied.
11. Many people do not approve of the new measures to control crime.
- Few people go along with the new measures to control crime.
Go along with something: approve of something
12. If only I could read music.

- I would love to be able to read music.
13. It is very difficult to stay up-to-date with technology.
- It is very difficult to keep pace with technology.
Keep pace with something: to go as fast as something
14. Apparently we ‘ll have to start from scratch.
- By the looks of it, we ‘ll have to start from scratch.
15. A lot of people have been talking about his new film lately.
- His new film has been the subject of much debate lately.
Be the subject of something: the main topic of something
16. At first sight, it seems like a worthwhile plan of attack, but we’ll see.
- On the face of it, it seems like a worthwhile plan of attack, but we’ll see.
17. Very few employees agree with the new proposals.
- Very few employees are in favor of the new proposals.
18. They blamed her for the error, even though she had been absent at the
time.
- She was held responsible for the error, even though she had been absent at
the time.
Be held responsible for something: be blamed for something
19. I think this difficult situation will resolve itself after a while.
- I think this difficult situation will sort itself out after a while.
Sort something/somebody out: to deal successfully with a problem
20. If my mother calls, tell her I’m on my way home.
- Should my mother happen to call, tell her I’m on my way home.

TEST 3
1. She damaged the car badly when she backed into the tree.
- She did great damage to the car when she backed into the tree.
2. These old laws should be abolished.
- These old laws should be done away with.
Be done away with: be abolished, eliminated
3. It’s such a shame that Terry and Carla broke up.
- If only Terry and Carla hadn’t gone their separate ways.
4. Judy‘s thinking about moving to France.
- Judy’s giving some thought to moving to France.
5. There are several categories of people who do not have to pay the new
tax.
- There are several categories of people who are exempt from paying the
new tax.
6. Terry did not agree with me about the best way to proceed.
- Terry did not share my views on the best way to proceed.
7. It seems highly unlikely that the weather will improve during the next few
days.
- The weather shows no signs of improvement during the next few days.
8. The open-air concerts in the park take place on alternate Sundays.
- The open-air concerts in the park take place every other Sunday.
9. John was quite frank about his criminal record.
- John made no secret of his criminal record.

10. Our bus timetable may vary from one month to the next.
- Our bus timetable is subject to monthly change.
11. There have been a lot of redundancies in that area.
- A lot of jobs have been lost in that area.
12. The number of places offered on the course has been drastically reduced
owing to lack of funds.
- Lack of funds has led to a drastic reduction in the number of places offered
on the course.
13. Doesn’t anyone but me care about this issue?
- Am I the only one who cares about this issue?
14. I was amazed at the speed with which Chris learned to drive.
- I found it amazing how quickly Chris learned to drive.
15. When you go to the city, watch out for pickpockets.
- When you go to the city, be on the lookout for pickpockets.
Be on the lookout for something: to be watching carefully in order to find,

obtain or avoid something
16. Several flights have had to be cancelled because of heavy snowfalls.
- Heavy snowfalls have resulted in the cancellation of several flights.
17. Nobody knows what happened to the money.
- It is a mystery what happened to the money.
18. It took three hours to get there, but we all agreed we were happy we had
done it.
- Although it took three hours to get there, we all thought it had been worth
it.
19. The only thing I can do is to tell Monica everything.
- I have no alternative other than to tell Monica everything.
20. It was the first time Lenny had used a computer.
- Lenny had no previous experience of using a computer.
TEST 4
1. Do you understand what he’s written at the end?
- Can you make any sense of what he’s written at the end?
Make sense of something: understand something
2. If the referee hadn’t intervened promptly, a fight would have developed

on the pitch.
- But for the referee’s prompt intervention, a fight would have developed on
the pitch.
3. Don’t play with that ball indoors anymore, or you will break something.
- If you carry on playing with that ball indoors, you’ll break something.
Carry on doing something: continue to do something
4. How can you bear him?
- How can you put up with him?
Put up with someone/ something: endure something
5. You are old enough to stand on your own two feet.
- It’s high time you stood on your own two feet.
It’s high time V 3/ed : It’s about time that someone do something
6. The house seemed to have been unoccupied for several months.
- It looked as if the house had been unoccupied for several months.

7. The Prime Minister would prefer to use diplomatic discussion when faced
with a crisis.
- The Prime Minister would rather make use of diplomatic discussion when
faced with a crisis.
8. You’ve no chance of succeeding if you’re going to be so pessimistic.
- You are bound to fail if you’re going to be so pessimistic.
9. It is said that he has been to prison several times.
- He is reputed to have been to prison several times.
10. You stand little chance of passing with such low marks.
- You are unlikely to pass with such low marks.
11. You could be arrested for not giving a blood sample to the police, you
know.
- Refusal to give a blood sample to the police could lead to your being
arrested , you know.
12. It would have been inconsiderate if I hadn’t invited the neighbors to the
wedding.
- Not to have invited he neighbors to the wedding would have been

inconsiderate.
13. She is likely to be the next president.
- The chances of her being the next president are quite good.
14. Could you please type these letters before you go to lunch?
- Would you mind typing these letters before you go to lunch?
15. I fully intend to find out who is responsible for the graffiti.
- I have every intention of finding out who is responsible for the graffiti.
16. It wasn’t easy for Christine to get used to living in the country.
- Christine had some trouble in getting used to living in the country.
17. You can try to get Tim to lend you his car but you won’t succeed.
- There’s no point in trying to get Tim to lend you his car.
18. Mrs. Wilson says she’s sorry she didn’t attend the meeting yesterday
morning.
- Mrs. Wilson send her apologies for not attending the meeting yesterday
morning.
19. The proposal has received unanimous support from the members.
- The members were united in supporting the proposal.
20. They wouldn’t let the former chairman attend the conference.
- The former chairman was barred from attending the conference.
Bar (v): to prevent something or someone from doing something or going

somewhere
TEST 5
1. While the boss is away, I’ll be in charge.
- I’ll be in charge in the absence of the boss.
2. The northwest of Britain has more rain each year than he southeast.
- The annual rainfall in the northwest of Britain is greater than that of the
southeast.
3. Running those last ten miles in the marathon was really hard.
- The most strenuous part of running the marathon was those last ten
minutes.
4. I had underestimated the changes I would find in my hometown.
- My home town had changed to a greater extent than I had expected.

5. I knew he would get into trouble again.
- It came as no surprise to me that he got into trouble again.
6. Immediately I heard from her, I left for London.
- No sooner did I hear from her than I left for London.
7. I began to understand that he was only interested in his own career.
- I came to realization that he was only interested in his own career.
8. A taxi will get there in a third of the time it takes the bus.
- The bus will take three times as long as a taxi.
9. It makes no difference to me whether we go to France or Spain.
- I’d just as soon go to France as go to Spain.
10. I’ve never met such a vain person as Sally.
- Sally is by far the vainest person I have ever met.
11. Although Judy was severely disabled, she participated in many sports.
- Despite her having a severe disability, she participated in many sports.
12. When the police searched the car, they knew they had been taken in.
- Upon searching the car, the police knew they had been taken in.
13. When we receive the money, we’ll ship the goods.
- On receipt of the money, we’ll ship the goods.
14. He doesn’t want to be disturbed unless something urgent happens.
- Unless something urgent comes up, he doesn’t want to be disturbed.
Come up: happen, occur
15. She didn’t see the point of waiting anymore.

- No longer did she see the point of waiting.
16. She could hardly remember her childhood.
- She had only a faint memory of her childhood.
17. He moved so clumsily that she was afraid he would break everything in
the shop.
- His were such clumsy movements that she was afraid he would break
everything in the shop.
18. The price of a litre of petrol is going up by two cents.
- There is going to be a two-cent rise in the price of a litre of petrol.
19. We have been trying to sell our house for well over six months.
- Our house has been for sale for well over six months.
20. The restaurant was even better than I had expected.
- The restaurant surpassed my expectations.
Surpass one’s expectations: be more than one’s expectations
TEST 6
1. I rarely see my sister these days.
- I only see my sister once in a blue moon these days.
Once in a blue moon: very rarely
2. It’s a pity you didn’t tell him, firmly and finally, that he can’t stay here.
- If only you had told him, once and for all, that he can’t stay here.
Once and for all: completely and finally
3. The government is trying to conceal the truths.
- The government is trying to cover up the truths.
Cover up something: hide something so that others don’t know

4. I found my job because I subscribe to that magazine.
- Had it not been for my subscription to that magazine, I wouldn’t have

found my job.
5. I tried as hard as I could to convince them to stay.

- I did my best to convince them to stay.
6. The teacher used such difficult words that no one could understand him.
- Such difficult words did the teacher use that no one could understand him.
7. I finally met her by chance.
- Only by chance did I finally meet her.
8. He hasn’t been to the college since May.
- The last time he went to the college was in May.
9. When did he last write a book which was a best seller?
- How long has it been since he wrote a book which was a best seller?
10. I don’t think she will agree to your terms.
- It’s doubtful whether/that she would agree to your terms.
11. If you don’t comply with the rules, you’ll be expelled from the school.
- Don’t comply with the rules and you’ll be expelled from the school.
12. If there is no frost this spring, the crop will be good.
- The crop will be good provided that there is no frost this spring.
13. You may need to call the agency again, so keep their card.
- Keep the agency’s card in case you need to call them again.
14. It’s a pity she did not accept my proposition.
- I wish she had accepted my proposition.
15. I don’t want you to disturb me while I’m working.
- I’d rather you didn’t disturb me while I’m working.
16. I know you want to drive there, but how about flying instead?
- I know you want to drive there, but suppose you flew there instead?
17. Could you please move your car?
- Would you be kind enough to move your car, please?
18. He pretended that he had not heard of the new regulations.
- He pretended not to have heard of the new regulations.
19. He survived the train crash but died of a heart attack the following day.
- He survived the train crash only to die of a heart attack the following day.
20. We are expecting Mr. Westwood’s arrival at any moment.
- Mr. Westwood is due to arrive at any moment.
TEST 7
1. I began to feel really scared when the dog came close.
- The closer the dog came, the more scared I felt.
2. His biggest fear is losing his sight.
- What he fears most is losing his sight.
3. Your son isn’t stupid but he’s very lazy, I’m afraid.
- Your son is more lazy than stupid, I’m afraid.
4. The path was so slippery that we couldn’t carry on walking up the

mountain.
- It was too slippery a path to carry on walking up the mountain.
5. Press that button and the lift will start.
- The lift will start the moment you press that button.
6. Despite the fact that she had problems, she was a very happy person.
- For all her troubles, she was a very happy version.
7. However hard I try, I can’t please the new supervisor.

- Try as I might, I can’t please the new supervisor.
8. Despite our efforts, the company couldn’t pay its debts and had to close.
- No matter how hard we tried, the company went bankrupt anyway.
9. He studied so hard to get his degree that he became ill.
- He succeeded in getting his degree at the expense of his health.
10. She learned French so that she could get a job in Paris.
- She learned French with the aim of getting a job in Paris.
11. “Let’s invite them down to the cottage for the weekend” said Rachel.
- Rachel suggested our having them down to the cottage for the weekend.
12. He’s accepted more work than he can finish in a week.
- He’s taken on more work than he can finish in a week.
Take on: to begin to have, use or do something
13. I think I gained five kilos on that holiday.
- I must have put on five kilos on that holiday.
Put on: increase (weight)
14. This is a bi-monthly magazine.
- This magazine comes out twice a month.
15. His English seems to be improving.
- His English is coming along quite nicely.
Come along: improve; enhance
16. Let’s continue with these corrections, shall we?
- Can we get on with these corrections, please?
Get on with something: continue something after interruptions

17. No matter how hard I try, I can’t find the time or energy to paint the
fence.
- No matter how hard I try, I can’t get round to painting the fence.
Get round to something: begin to give serious attention to something
18. He’s determined to have a few days break.
- He’s determined to get away for a few days.
19. She is no longer young, is she?
- She is getting on, is she?
Get on: become old
20. Where did you get this information?
- Where did you come by this information?
Come by: obtain, receive accidentally
TEST 8
1. Such behavior is unforgivable.
- There is no excuse for such behavior.
2. Only if you work hard now do you have any chance of success.
- Your success depends entirely on you working hard now.
3. She gets on well with all her students.
- She has a good relationship with all her students.
4. He’s unlikely to come to the party.
- It’s doubtful whether he will come to the party.
5. Anne doesn’t have her own phone at the moment as she’s just moved
house.
- Anne is not on the phone at the moment as she’s just moved house.
6. This essay is better than your last one.
- This essay is an improvement on your last one.
7. Everyday our town becomes more polluted.
- Our town is becoming more and more polluted everyday.
8. Andy used to be careless, but he’s not anymore.
- Andy is much more careful than he used to be.
9. Don’t pay any attention to what he says.
- Don’t take any notice of what he says.
10. The new plans for the library have been approved by the authorities.
- The new plans for the library have met with approval of the authorities.
11. They will have to accept your offer.
- They will have no option but to accept your offer.
12. That’s none of your business.
- That’s nothing to do with you.
13. Money counts for little on a desert island.
- Money is of little value on a desert island.
14. Most people know that the country’s economy is dependent on oil.
- It’s common knowledge that the country’s economy is dependent on oil.
15. You are not alone in finding this subject rather difficult.
- You are not the only person to find this subject rather difficult.
16. The advertisement completely deceived her.
- She was completely taken in by the advertisement.

17. The test showed that the girl could hear perfectly well.
- The test showed that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the girl’s
hearing.
18. We don’t have too much time to go sightseeing.
- We have very little time to go sightseeing.
19. I don’t know much about feng-shui, I’m afraid.
- I have little knowledge of feng-shui, I’m afraid.
20. The Tourist Board advised us on where to stay.
- The Tourist Board gave us advice on where to stay.
TEST 9
1. The surgeon didn’t start until the anaesthetic had taken effect.
- Not until the anaesthetic had taken effect did the surgeon start.
2. She had all her jewellery insured by Lloyd’s.
- She had every piece of her jewellery insured by Lloyd’s.
3. Peter said the operation was completely painless.
- Peter said he didn’t suffer any pain during the operation.
4. The expiry date on the passport is March 5th, 2004.
- The passport is valid until March 5th, 2004.
5. We closed the club as membership had fallen steadily.
- We closed the club due to a steady decline in membership.
6. If she weren’t so patient, she wouldn’t be such a good teacher.
- It is because she is patient that she is such a good teacher.
7. If you hadn’t helped us, we wouldn’t have finished on time.

- But for your help, we wouldn’t have finished on time.
8. If you aren’t careful, the engine will seize up.
- The engine will seize up unless you are careful.
9. If you bump into him, give him my love.
- Give him my love should you happen to bump into him.
10. She didn’t see anything because she was asleep.
- Had she not been asleep she would have seen something.
11. There is no way you can justify his actions last night.
- There is no justification for his actions last night.
12. Whatever you do, don’t panic.
- The last thing you should do is panic.
13. Not many people wants typewriters nowadays.
- Typewriters aren’t much in demand nowadays.
14. You’d better leave early to avoid the rush hour.
- It would be better if you left early to avoid the rush hour.
15. If you don’t tell them, you will be severely punished.
- You had better tell them or you will be severely punished.
16. The staff would sooner have a shorter lunch break and leave earlier.
- The staff would prefer to have a shorter lunch break and leave earlier.
17. I’m afraid I didn’t catch your name.
- Would you mind repeating your name?
18. We don’t seem to have any coffee left.
- We seem to have run out of coffee.

19. Robert is in the wrong in this instance.
- Robert is at fault in this instance.
20. I always make the same mistake.
- I keep on making the same mistake.
TEST 10
1. They don’t let me stay out after midnight.
- I’m not allowed to stay out after midnight.
2. The police allege that the managing director of the bank has been
embezzling money for years.
- It is alleged that the managing director of the bank has been embezzling
money for years.
3. He is sure to pass the exam.
- It’s very likely that he will pass the exam.
4. Well, eventually we arrived at a small town.
- Well, in due course we arrived at a small town.
5. “The opening ceremony will just be beginning then”, he said to us.
- He told us that the opening ceremony would just be beginning then.
6. “I’ll fill in the form for you”, said Claire.
- Claire offered to fill in the form for me.
7. Malcolm admitted having caused the damage.
- Malcolm confessed to causing the damage.
8. The greenhouse effect seriously threatens life on this planet.
- The greenhouse effect poses a serious threat to life on this planet.

9. His business collapsed so he owes a lot of money.
- He is heavily in debt since his business collapsed.
10. It takes six hours to fly from here to Toronto.
- It’s a six-hour flight from here to Toronto.
11. Someone is fixing my television today.
- I am having my television fixed today.
12. I don’t care what you do with the money.
- It doesn’t matter to me what you do with the money.
13. I owe my success to my mother.
- It is thanks to my mother that I have succeeded.
14. He was woken by a noise soon after he had dropped off.
- Hardly had he dropped off when he was woken by a noise.
15. Such things rarely happen.
- Seldom do things like this happen.
16. Jack seems like a very friendly man to me.
- Jack strikes me as being a very friendly man.
17. Nobody has heard from Julia since she left home.
- There has been no news from Julia since she left home.
18. The smell of the sea always made me hungry as a child.
- The smell of the sea always gave me an appetite as a child.
19. After thinking about it again, I will go with you.
- On second thoughts, I will go with you.
20. I should have guessed you’d be in here.

- I might have known you’d be in here.

PAGE TÀI LIỆU TIẾNG ANH NÂNG CAO EMAIL HOHAIDANG1807@GMAIL.COM
CHUYÊN ĐỀ VIẾT LẠI CÂU (TRUNG BÌNH)
ANSWER KEY
TEST 1
1. I never thought of borrowing money from him.
- It never occurred to me to borrow money from him.
- Occur to somebody: If a thought or idea occurs to you, it comes to your

mind.
2. Sheila is worried about the proposed changes at work
- The prospect of changes at work makes Sheila worry.
3. Buenos Aires is much hotter than London.
- London is nowhere near as hot as Buenos Aires.
- Nowhere near: not in any way
4. I sure know the man’s name but I can’t quite remember it.
- The man’s name is on the tip of my tongue.
- On the tip of my tongue: you know it but can’t can remember it at the
time you are speaking
5. That woman looks an awful lot like my mother.
- That woman bears a close resemblance to my mother.
- Bear a close resemblance to somebody: look like somebody
6. May is bound to pass her exam.
- It’s a foregone conclusion that Mary will pass her exam.
- Foregone conclusion: a result that is obvious before it happens

7. Now that your situation is the same as mine, I don’t suppose you think
it’s funny.
- Now that we are both in the same boat, I don’t suppose you think it’s
funny.
- Be in the same boat: to be in the same unpleasant situation
8. This song reminds me of my trip to the South of France.
- This song brings to mind my trip to the South of France.
9. Carolyn has accepted that she’ll never be selected for the team.
- Carolyn has resigned herself to the fact that she’ll never be selected for
the team.
- Resign oneself to the fact that: to accept something that is bad and that
cannot be changed
10. He made a mistake of thinking he could do anything he liked around

here.
- He ran away with the impression that he could do anything he liked

around here.
- Run away with the idea/ impression: to believe that something is true
when it is not
11. The agricultural plan will cause a lot of objections from dairy farmers.
- The agricultural plan will give rise to a lot of objections from dairy
farmers.
- Give rise to something: cause something or induce something to happen
12. It was impossible to tell from her papers who she really was.
- Her papers gave no clue as to her true identity.
- Give no clue to: cannot help to clarify something

13. It’s the easiest thing in the world, just don’t be afraid.
- There is nothing to it; just don’t be afraid.
14. Several local residents are against the council’s plans to build a bypass.
- Several local residents have voiced their objections to the council’s

plans.
15. If you had phrased your remark more tactfully, he wouldn’t have been
offended by it.
- He wouldn’t have taken offence if you had phrased your remark more
tactfully.
16. In all likelihood the board of directors will choose Derek rather than
Neil.
- The chances are that the board of directors will choose Derek rather than
Neil.
17. The old schoolhouse is in very bad condition and the council should do
something about it.
- The old schoolhouse has fallen into decay and the council should do
something about it.
- Fall into decay: to become gradually damaged
18. I just cannot understand why she said that.
- I am at a loss to explain why she said that
- At a loss to do something: don’t know how to do something
19. You must make sure this never happens again or there will be trouble.
- Please see to it that this never happens again or there will be trouble.
- See to something: to do something that has to be done

20. This hotel could do with a facelift.
- This hotel has seen better days.
- Have seen better days: to be old and in bad condition
TEST 2
1. The press claim he was present when the signing took place.
- According to the press he was on the spot when the signing took place.
- On the spot: at that moment or place
2. The doctor says Harry’s health is improving.
- According to the doctor, Harry’s health is showing signs of improvement.
3. However much I try to figure it out, I still have no idea how he did it.
- However much I try to figure it out, it still beats me how he did it.
4. What he said is evidence of the fact that he’s a liar.
- What he said bears witness to the fact that he’s a liar.
- Bear witness to the fact: prove that it’s true
5. He conceded that, in retrospect, he had made the wrong decision.
- He conceded that, with hindsight, he had made the wrong decision.
- Hindsight: the ability to understand
6. Our photocopier frequently breaks down.
- Our photocopier is prone to breaking down.
- Be prone to something: likely to suffer from an illness or show a

particular negative characteristic
7. We went to say our last goodbye to the great statesman at his funeral.
- We went to pay our last respects to the great statesman at his funeral.
- If you pay your last respects to someone who has just died, you show
your respect or affection for them by coming to see their body or their
grave.
8. Hobbs disobeyed orders and now he’s suffering for it.
- Hobbs is now paying the penalty for disobeying orders.
- Pay the penalty for something: to experience the consequences of one’s

actions or misdeeds.
9. I have to write everything out in triplicate and I’m completely fed up

with it.
- I’m sick to death of having to write everything out in triplicate.
- Sick to death of someone or something: exceedingly wearied by, bored

of or exasperated with someone or something
10. The trouble with Thomas is that he has such a pessimistic outlook on
everything.
- The trouble with Thomas is that he always looks on the dark side of
everything.
- Look on the dark side of something: be pessimistic about something
11. Jenkins is the first person to have scored so many goals in the history
of the school team.
- Jenkins broke the all-time record for scoring so many goals in the history
of the school team.
- Break the record: to do something that is better, faster than anything

that has been done before
12. Henry is really angry with Freddie again.
- Freddie is in Henry’s bad books again.
- Be in somebody’s bad books: to have fallen out of favor with someone

due to having offended or mistreated them.
13. When threatened, chameleons do not move a muscle.
- Chameleons stay as still as a statue when threatened.
- Stay as still as a statue: not moving
14. We should make a move before dad gets home.
- We’d better get weaving before dad gets home.
- If you tell someone to get weaving, you either want them to start
something or to do something.
15. Plans are in progress for a new children’s hospital.
- Plans are under way for a new children’s hospital.
- Be under way: be in progress
16. It’s time you realized that he has no intention of paying money back.
- It’s time you woke up to the fact that he has no intention of paying that
money back.
- Wake up to the fact: realize the truth
17. The book is slow in the beginning but the action gets faster after a
while.
- The book is slow in the beginning but the action picks up speed after a
while.
- Pick up speed: go faster, accelerate
18. We are scheduled to discuss that matter at the next meeting.
- That matter is on agenda for the next meeting.
- Be on agenda: be scheduled to be talked about
19. Fiona will not join the strike because she thinks it is morally incorrect.
- It is a matter of principle that she won’t join the strike.

- A matter of principle: a situation that requires something be done a

certain way because one believes it is the only right way
20. Real Madrid lost heavily to Barcelona in the quarter final.
- Real Madrid suffered a defeat at the hands of Barcelona in the quarter

final.
TEST 3
1. I can’t believe he said that to her face.
- I can’t believe he came out with that to her face.
Come out with something: say something
2. Try and forget the whole experience or it will upset you and your family.
- Try and put the whole experience behind you or it will upset you and your
family.
3. Don’t you think it’s time you went to bed, David?
- Don’t you think it’s time you turned in, David?
- Turn in: go to bed
4. I could just discern the figure of a man through the fog.
- I could just make out the figure of a man through the fog.
- Make out something/ someone: to see hear or understand something or

someone with difficulty
5. Our plans to visit Jamaica this summer have fallen through again.
- Our plans to visit Jamaica this summer have come to nothing again.
- Come to nothing: to fail
6. He talked about nothing but the weather.
- His sole topic of the conversation was the weather.

7. The proposals are acceptable to everybody.
- Nobody has raised any objections to the proposals.
8. The jumper you knitted for my daughter no longer fits her.
- My daughter has grown out of that jumper you knitted for her.
- Grow out of something: to become too tall or too big to wear or use
something
9. The employment scheme proved to be unsuccessful after all.
- The employment scheme met with no success after all.
10. Don’t forget those at work on this lovely, sunny day.
- Spare a thought for those at work on this lovely, sunny day.
11. It is quite obvious that he’s doing no work whatsoever.
- There’s no escaping the fact that he’s doing no work whatsoever.
12. Whatever you do, don’t mention the subject of his accident.
- Whatever you do, don’t bring up the subject of his accident.
- Bring up something: talk about something, mention something
13. Sue is always ready to help you out.
- Sue is always ready to do you a good turn.
- Do someone a good turn: to do something that helps, aids or benefits

another person.
14. When we went to London, we visited all the interesting places.
- We did all the sights when we went to London.
- Do all the sights: visit all the attractive destinations of a place
15. These tools will accomplish the task in half the time.
- These tools will do the trick in half the time.
- Do the trick: achieve the required results
16. Edward might not agree to the proposal.
- It’s open to doubt whether Edward will agree to the proposal.
- Be open to doubt: has not been proved to be real or true
17. I took an aspirin for my toothache but it didn’t help at all.
- I took an aspirin for my toothache but it didn’t make any difference at all.
18. He owed so much money that his business went bankrupt.
- He was in such deep debt that his business went bankrupt.
19. You ‘ll have to manage with the old computer for a few more months.
- You’ll have to make do with the old computer for a few more months.
- Make do with something: to do as well as possible with someone

or something
20. I managed to persuade John not to resign.
- I managed to talk John out of resigning.
- Talk someone out of something: persuade someone not to do something
TEST 4
1. So long as the examiner can read your handwriting, he’ll accept your
answer.
- Provided that your handwriting is legible the examiner will accept your
answer.
2. What he said had nothing to do with the subject we were discussing.
- What he said bore no relation to the subject we were discussing.

- Bear no relation to something: be irrelevant to something
3. The board of directors is still thinking about the new salary proposals.
- The new salary proposals are still under consideration by the board of
directors.
- Be under consideration: be thought about, be considered
4. Don’t sell your house until you have considered it carefully.
- You should think twice before selling your house.
5. I object very strongly to what he said and I’ll let him know.
- I take great exception to what he said and I’ll let him know.
- Take exception to something: object strongly to, be offended by
6. I didn’t work long hours because I was aware of health risks.
- I knew better than to work long hours because I was aware of health risks.
- Know better than: be wise or polite enough to avoid doing a particular

thing
7. They decided not to go by boat because they thought they would be

seasick.
- Their fear of being seasick prompted them not to go by boat.
8. It’s only to look at. You can’t use it, sir.
- It’s only for show, not for use, sir.
9. He’s always happy to help you out.
- He always shows willing to help you out.
10. Becoming the center of attraction was all he wanted.
- Taking center stage was all he wanted.
- Take center stage: to be at the center of attention

11. Don’t forget that whatever happens, we mustn’t give up, Robin.
- Don’t forget that whatever happens, the show must go on Robin.
- The show must go on: said to encourage someone to continue with what
they are doing
12. You would benefit from taking out holiday insurance.
- It would be in your best interest to take out holiday insurance.
13. I’m afraid I’m just about to leave for work.
- I’m afraid I’m just on the point of leaving for work.
- Be on the point of doing something: to be going to do something very

soon
14. Twelve people lost their jobs in the company’s reorganization.
- Twelve people were made redundant in the company’s reorganization.
- Be made redundant: lose job
15. That city‘s worth visiting – it’s got just about everything.
- That city‘s worth visiting – it has a lot going for it.
16. He speaks the English language well.
- He has a good command of the English language.
- Have a good command of something: to be knowledgeable about or

skilled in a particular area or thing
17. I think we’re going back to where we started, Robert.
- I think we’re going round in circles, Robert.
18. I don’t have to give him any money until the end of next week.
- There is no need for me to give him any money until the end of next week.
19. His accident ruined any hopes of an international career.

- His accident put paid to any hopes of an international career.
- Put paid to something: to finish or destroy something
20. I think at least the minister should attend the meeting for a short time.
- I think at least the minister should put in an appearance at the meeting.
- Put in an appearance: to attend something
TEST 5
1. I tried to make her feel comfortable but in vain.
- I tried to put her at ease but in vain.
- Put someone at ease: make someone feel calm and relaxed
2. It’s impossible to express it in another way, Mr. Dean.
- It’s impossible to put it differently Mr. Dean.
3. You are on your own! I’m not going to save you this time.
- You are on your own! I’m not coming to your rescue this time.
4. Your car license has expired, sir.
- Your car license is out of date, sir.
5. According to Joe, her English will improve if she subscribes to that

magazine.
- Joe’s convinced that taking out a subscription to that magazine will help
her English.
6. The pilot endangered all our lives during the flight.
- The pilot put all our lives in danger during the flight.
7. Our getting the contract depends on Jonathan.

- We are relying on Jonathan to get the contract for us.
8. A police car stopped outside the house.
- A police car drew/pulled up outside the house.
- Pull up (of a vehicle): stop, park
9. I don’t know the first thing about aeronautics.
- I am totally ignorant of aeronautics.
10. Why Roy can’t accept the fact that he is incompetent?
- Why can’t Roy face up to the fact that he is incompetent?
11. I know that it’s true because he told me himself.
- I heard it from his own lips so I know that it’s true.
12. The prisoners have still not been captured.
- The prisoners are still at large.
- Be at large: be free, not in custody
13. We did nothing yesterday so we must do extra today.
- We did nothing yesterday so we must make up for lost time today.
- Make up for lost time: do something faster or more often in order to

compensate for not having done it quickly or often enough before
14. He mentioned the delays we experienced last year.
- He made a reference to the delays we experienced last year.
- Make a reference to something: to mention something
15. Clap your hands and that dog will run away.
- That dog will turn tail if you clap your hands.
- Turn tail: to turn around and run away

16. I didn’t go to their party because I didn’t feel like it.
- Had I been in the mood, I would have gone to their party.
- Be in the mood for something: feel like to do something
17. He came very close to having a fatal accident.
- He came within an inch of having a fatal accident.
18. Nobody in the whole room blushed but me.
- I was the only one to turn red in the whole room.
- Turn red: to get red in the face because you are embarrassed
19. He was so angry his face changed color.
- His anger caused him to go blue in the face.
- Blue in the face: waste time and effort but get no results
20. It wasn’t my intention to be in the red for so long, Mr. Philips.
- I did not mean to be in the red for so long, Mr. Philips.
- In the red: spending more money than you earn
TEST 6
1. We simply cannot afford to buy a new car this year.
- A new car is simply not in our budget this year.
2. Could you leave out the technical details and tell me how this battery
works?
- Without blinding me with science, can you tell me how this battery works?
- Blind someone with science: to confuse someone by using difficult or

technical words to describe something
3. The technical staff went on strike in sympathy with the pilots.
- The technical staff came out in support of the pilots.
- Come out: express one’s opinion
4. They had planned to stay two months in India at first.
- Their original intention was to stay two months in India.
5. I doubt that they will turn down your invitation.
- They will hardly turn down your invitation.
Turn down: refuse, reject
6. The project received the unanimous approval of the committee.
- The committee was unanimously in favor of the project.
7. He was promoted to captain because he was a fine leader.
- He was promoted to captain by virtue of his fine leadership qualities.
8. Everyone knows that Jesse Owens was one of the best athletes ever.
- Jesse Owens was by any standards one of the best athletes ever.
9. Nobody knows whether he will take part in the race or not.
- It is by no means certain that he will take part in the race or not.
10. From what everyone says, he’s been to prison at least five times.
- By all accounts he has been to prison at least five times.
11. David is too boring to join us on a weekend camping trip.
- David is too much of a wet blanket to join us on a weekend camping trip.
A wet blanket: a boring person
12. The management’s statement does not conform at all to previous policy.
- The management’s statement is in total contrast to all previous policy.

13. My father was serious when he told you not to come here again.
- My father meant business when he told you not to come here again.
14. I knew it was a risky investment, but I didn’t expect to lose every penny.
- Although I knew it was a risky investment, I didn’t bank on losing every

penny.
Bank on something: to expect something or depend on something

happening
15. I was aware it was hard work, but I didn’t realize I had to work every
weekend.
- I did not bargain for working every weekend, though I was aware that it
was hard work.
Bargain for: be prepared for, expect
16. The cash dispenser hasn’t worked for weeks.
- The cash dispenser has been out of order for weeks.
17. I always beat dad when we play chess.
- I always get the better of dad at chess whenever we play.
18. Even though this passport has expired, they allowed him to travel on it.
- Regardless of his out-of-date passport, they allowed him to travel on it.
Out-of-date: outdated
19. When I last saw Jackson he was going to the park.
- The last time I saw Jackson, he was making for the park
Make for: go in the direction of
20. The landlord cheated them and wouldn’t give them their deposit back.
- The landlord did them out of their deposit.

Do out of: deceive in order to gain; prevent someone from having

something; cause someone to lose something by cheating
TEST 7
1. I don’t know how he ‘ll ever compensate for what he’s done.
- How he’ll ever make up for what he’s done is a mystery to me.
Make up for: compensate for
2. It’s amazing how she’s managing to stay so strong during this difficult
time.
- What amazes me is how she’s bearing up during this difficult time.
Bear up: remain strong in time of difficulty
3. Be a little patient and I will explain everything to you.
- If you will bear with me, I will explain everything to you.
Bear with: show patience
4. What you say has nothing to do with what I’m discussing.
- What you say does not bear upon what I’m discussing.
Bear upon/on: have a connection with; affect
5. Everyone started laughing when Bert imitated the boss.
- Everyone started laughing when Bert took off the boss.
Take off somebody: imitate somebody
6. A German company has bought our factory.
- Our factory has been taken over by a German company.
Take over: gain control of; become in charge; show around
7. He’s made friends with the kids next door.

- He’s taken up with the kids next door.
Take up with: begin to be friendly with, hang around with
8. He did not fool me in the least with his lies.
- I was not in the least taken in by his lies.
Take in: deceive
9. The weather wasn’t good enough for us to sail that day.
- We had the weather against us so we couldn’t sail that day.
10. The accounts manager has been taken to court for fraud.
- The accounts manager has been had up for fraud.
Have up: take somebody to court
11. He picked up the model plane and it broke into pieces.
- The model plane came apart in his hands.
Come apart: break into pieces
12. The essential thing here is how committed you are to the company.
- What it comes down to is how committed you are to the company.
13. A new tomb has been found by Austrian archaeologists.
- Austrian archaeologists have come across a new tomb.
Come across: find something or meet somebody by chance
14. Did you make them understand what you wanted them to do?
- Did you get across to them what you wanted them to do?
Get across: explain, become understood
15. He was lucky that the judge only gave him a suspended sentence.
- He was lucky to have got off with only a suspended sentence.
Get off: start something
16. Malcolm does not think he will be able to attend the wedding.
- Malcolm has his doubts about his being able to attend the wedding.
17. This setback seems disastrous now but it may be better for us in the end.
- We may be able to turn this setback to our advantage in the end.
18. I think Jack has his own reason for helping you.
- I think Jack has an ulterior motive for helping you.
19. Mary did really well in the marathon.
- Mary gave a good account of herself in the marathon.
20. The most important question here today is whether we accept divorce or
not.
- The burning question here today is whether we accept divorce or not.
TEST 8
1. Though it looks bad now, it’ll be ok in the end.
- It‘ll all work out in the long run, though it looks bad now.
2. Unfortunately, he is flat broke these days.
- Unfortunately, he hasn’t got a penny to his name these days.
3. His writing isn’t worse than yours.
- He writes no worse than you.
4. Her feet were freezing.
- Her feet were as cold as ice.
5. Don’t pay any attention to what he says.

- Don’t take any notice of what he says.
6. After the scandal, he was asked to resign immediately.
- After the scandal, he was asked to hand in his resignation immediately.
7. Being a tennis coach doesn’t really suit him, you know.
- He’s not really cut out to be a tennis coach, you know.
8. I want to stay out of this quarrel.
- I don’t want to take sides in this quarrel.
9. Lee was fired after only six months.
- Lee was given the sack after only six months.
10. The number of employees at the factory has been reduced.
- There has been a cutback in the number of employees at the factory.
11. “What you tell me will never go beyond these four walls”, he said.
- “What you tell me will be in the strictest confidence “, he said.
12. Isn’t it time you confessed and admitted you leaked the information?
- Isn’t it time you came clean and admitted you leaked the information?
13. The workers stopped speaking to their workmate as he voted against the
strike.
- The workers sent their workmate to Coventry as he voted against the

strike.
14. James must be totally crazy if he thinks I’d agree to such a plan.
- James must be out of his mind if he thinks I’d agree to such a plan.
15. The baby is a bit sick today and seems to do nothing but cry.
- The baby is a bit out of sorts today and seems to do nothing but cry.
16. I don’t really care where we go tonight.
- It doesn’t make any difference to me where we go tonight.
17. The way you reacted to her question was completely over the top.
- Your reaction was completely out of proportion to her question.
18. This doesn’t concern you, so stay out of it.
- You should mind your own business, this doesn’t concern you.
19. If they weren’t always working against each other, they’d do a lot better.
- If they weren’t always working in opposition to each other, they’d do a lot

better.
20. I’m sure he didn’t know his brother was seriously ill.
- He couldn’t possibly have known that his brother was seriously ill.
TEST 9
1. Mark knows all about motorbikes.
- Mark has a wide knowledge of motorbikes.
2. Hiking twenty miles a day doesn’t sound like much fun to me.
- Hiking twenty miles a day is not my idea of fun.
3. Her cryptic comments made me uneasy.
- Her cryptic comments left me feeling uneasy.
4. It’s a wonderful idea, but can you use it in real life?
- It’s a wonderful idea, but can you put it in practice?
5. John and I do not have any kind of financial agreement.
- I have not entered into any kind of financial agreement with John.
6. Life has its ups and downs and you must learn to face both.
- You must learn to take the rough with the smooth in life.
Take the rough with the smooth: accept the unpleasant parts of a situation
as well as the good
7. I don’t think we will be ready for the concert this weekend.
- I think the concert will have to be put off until next weekend.
8. I think living in the country suits you more.
- I think you would be better off living in the country.
9. You didn’t have to make all these preparations just for me.
- You need not have gone to all this trouble for me.
10. I‘ve never heard that name before, I’m afraid.
- That name means nothing to me, I’m afraid.
11. Dave was ill for a week, but he’s now out of bed and doing things again.
- Dave was ill for a week, but he’s now up and about again.
Up and about: no longer in bed
12. I like to play the piano now and again to make sure I haven’t lost my
touch.
- I like to play the piano from time to time to make sure I haven’t lost my
touch.
From time to time: sometimes, not regularly
13. Your injured back means you do not have to serve in the army.
- Your injured back means you are exempt from serving in the army.
14. Mark is spending more than he earns at the moment.
- Mark’s living beyond his means at the moment.

15. The cheetah easily caught the gazelle.
- The gazelle didn’t stand a chance against the cheetah.
16. I can’t believe he said that to her face.
- I can’t believe he came out with that to her face.
Come out with something: say something
17. Sara inherited the house from her father.
- Sara’s father left her the house in his will.
18. I had a disagreement with Alice about the party.
- Alice and I had a difference of opinion about the party.
19. You acted quickly and that saved many lives.
- It was your prompt action that saved many lives.
20. Luckily, they were able to return to Anne’s idea when John’s plan failed.
- Luckily, they had Anne’s idea to fall back on when John’s plan failed.
TEST 10
1. How would you deal with such a challenge?
-What would you do if you were presented with such a challenge?
2. Don’t worry you will be well taken care of at the hospital.
- Don’t worry you will be in good hands at the hospital.
Be in good hands: be taken care of
3. Saying something is not the same as doing it.
-There is a world of difference between saying something and doing it.
4. It’s yours forever, but remember that I gave it to you.

- It’s yours for keeps, but remember that I gave it to you.
5. I don’t care if he meant it or not. The fact is, he said it.
-Whether he meant it or not is immaterial. The fact is, he said it.
Immaterial = irrelevant
6. We worked continuously to get the project done.
- We worked around the clock to get the project done.
7. While she was pregnant, she was always longing to eat anchovies.
- While she was pregnant, she had a craving for anchovies.
8. There’s a lot of money depending on the success of this venture.
- I’ve got a lot of money at stake in this venture.
9. There are widely differing opinions on the morality of cloning humans.

- There is more than one school of thought on the morality of cloning
humans.
School of thought: a set of ideas or opinions that a group of people share
about a matter
10. Nobody at this school has ever done such a thing before.
- What you have done is without precedent at this school.

11. You can’t possibly be a social worker if you can’t accept
others’opinions.
- Without having an open mind, you can’t possibly be a social worker.
12. You’ll have to wait and see whether the new girl can do the job or not.
- Only time will tell whether the new girl can do the job or not.
Time will tell: you will discover in the future what the result of the present
situation is
policy.
- The government came in for a good few criticisms concerning their new
housing policy.
Come in for criticism: be criticized
14. The two horses were exactly equal as they crossed the finishing line.
- The two horses were neck and neck as they crossed the finishing line.
15. The players were given an encouraging talk before the game
commenced.
- The players were given a pep talk before the game commenced.
16. They may be brother and sister but they are very different in their
attitude to politics.
- They may be brother and sister but they are poles apart in their attitude to
politics.
17. Ours is the only company allowed to import these chemicals.
- Our company has the monopoly on the import of these chemicals.
Monopoly (n): complete control of something
18. The shipwrecked sailors were washed up on the beach late at night.
- The shipwrecked sailors were cast ashore late at night.
- He kept on paying me compliments at the reception.
Pay someone compliments: praise someone

20. If you really want to try and get into acting school, I won’t stop you.
- I won’t stand in your path if you really want to try and get into acting
school.
Stand in one’s path: stop someone from doing something

CHUYÊN ĐỀ VIẾT LẠI CÂU (KHÓ)
ANSWER KEY
TEST 1
1. What he told me made me very curious to hear the rest of the story.
-What he told me whetted my appetite for the rest of the story.
Whet one’s appetite for something: make someone want something more
2. I knew the project would not succeed from the start.
- I knew the project was doomed to failure from the start.
Be doomed to failure: be certain to fail
3. The politician tried to find people who were willing to back his campaign
to help the homeless.
- The politician tried to drum up support for his campaign to help the
homeless.
Drum up support for something: to try to get support for something
4. Digging in the garden gives me an outlet for my frustrations.
- Digging in the garden allows me to vent my frustrations
Vent (v): to express a negative emotion in a forceful way.
5. She was miserable when her mother made her give away all her childhood
toys.
-She was miserable to have parted with all her childhood toys.
Part with: give something you prefer to keep to somebody else
6. By leaving Mary alone, I am sure she will finish the project on time.
-If Mary is left to her own devices, I am sure she will finish the project on
time.
Leave somebody to their own devices: to leave somebody alone to do as
they wish, and not tell them what to do.
7. Martin cannot go higher in his career.
-Martin has reached the pinnacle of his career.
Pinnacle of something: the most important or most successful part of

something
8. He suddenly realized that she was never coming back.
- It suddenly dawned on him that she was never coming back.
Dawn on somebody: if something dawns on you, you begin to realize it.
9. You‘ve been looking miserable all day.
- You’ve done nothing but moon around all day.
Moon around/ about: to spend time doing nothing
10. She‘s only happy when somebody does all her jobs for her.
- She‘s only happy when somebody dances attendance on her.
Dance attendance on somebody: to be with somebody and do things to

help and please them.
11. Ray’s good work record enabled him to get promotion.
- Ray got promotion on the strength of his good work record.
On the strength of something: because somebody has been influenced or

persuaded by something
12. The company tried unsuccessfully to secure a bank loan.
- The company’s attempts/efforts were to no avail in securing a bank loan.
To little/ no avail: with little or no success
13. They remain close friends despite having had many arguments.
-They haven’t fallen out although they have had many arguments.
Fall out: be no longer friendly with somebody
14. Have you ever thought of changing jobs?
-Has it ever crossed your mind to change jobs?
Cross your mind: to come into your mind
15. I’m sick of that program because I’ve watched it too often.
-I’ve gone off that program because I’ve watches it too often.
Go off something: be bored of something
16. A new arrangement over working conditions has been made between the
management and the Union.
-The management has struck a new deal with the Union over working
conditions.
Strike a deal: to make an agreement with somebody
17. We can’t possibly imagine how we are going to afford a new car.
- We haven’t the remotest idea how we are going to afford a new car.
Not have the remotest idea: to not know at all
18. Mike has a more complex personality than you may think.
- Mike has greater depths to him than you may think.
Have greater depths to somebody: someone is more complex than their

outlook
19. I don’t understand why she’s been acting in an unfriendly way lately
- I don’t understand why she’s been giving me the cold shoulder lately
Give someone the cold shoulder: be unfriendly with someone
20. Tom teased Alice about her new hairstyle.
- Tom poked fun at Alice’s new hairstyle.
Poke fun at something: make a joke of something
TEST 2
1. They are living in poverty and are worried about being evicted for not
being able to pay the rent.
- They are living from hand to mouth and are worried about being evicted
for not being able to pay the rent.
Live from hand to mouth: to have just enough money and nothing extra
2. Seeing the damage to his car, Jerry became furious.
-Jerry was beside himself with anger when he saw the damage to his car.
Beside oneself with anger: be overcome with anger
3. I happened to see James as he walked past the door.
- I caught a glimpse of James as he walked past the door.
Catch a glimpse of somebody: see something only for a moment
4. You must do anything you can to make the negotiations successful.
- You must pull out all the stops to make the negotiations successful.
Pull out all the stops: to do everything you can to make something
successful
5. The government has tried to make the incident seem less serious.
-The government has played down the seriousness of the incident.
Play down: reduce, decrease
6. A cup of tea is the most refreshing drink of all.
-There‘s nothing to match tea as a refreshing drink.
7. Tom didn’t understand the situation and so made a terrible mistake.
-Tom got the wrong end of the stick and so made a terrible mistake.
Get the wrong end of the stick: misunderstand something
8. In my opinion, computers are more trouble than they’re worth.
- In my opinion, computers are more of a hindrance than a help.
9. Since the advertisement, we’ve had more applications than we can deal
with.
- Since the advertisement, we’ve been swamped with applications.
Be swamped with: be overwhelmed with
10. Mary was always making Jones the subject of her cruel jokes.
- Jones was always the butt of Mary’s cruel jokes.
Be the butt of something: if you are the butt of jokes or criticism, people
often make jokes about you or criticize you.
11. She was an excellent playwright whose work didn’t get the recognition it
deserved.
- She was an excellent playwright who gained little renown for her work.
Gain renown for something: gain reputation for something.
12. There was hardly any movement in the traffic in front of us.
- The traffic inched along in front of us.
Inch along: to proceed gradually
13. The community spoke enthusiastically about the recently elected mayor.
- The community sang the recently elected mayor’s praises.
Sing somebody’s praises: speak highly of somebody
14. The subject of productivity bonuses has been mentioned at every
management and workers meeting.
-The subject of productivity bonuses has cropped up at every management
and workers meeting.
Crop up: appear, be mentioned
15. My husband and I had a row about buying a car.
-I had words with my husband about buying a car.
Have words with somebody: have arguments with somebody
16. Rick’s boss says he thinks Rick is doing a wonderful job.
-Rick’s boss is full of praises for Rick.
17. When he made friends in the new place, Ron became less shy and
reserved.
- When he made friends in the new place, Ron came out of his shell.
Come out of one’s shell: be open and friendly to others

18. He‘s a pleasant man socially, but he’s a tough businessman.
-He‘s a pleasant man, but drives a hard bargain in business.
Drive a hard bargain: be uncompromising in making a deal
19. The lease on my flat is valid until the end of the year.
-The lease on my flat does not come up for renewal until the end of the year.
20. Mark didn’t get home until just before dawn yesterday.
- Mark didn’t get home until small/ early hours yesterdays.
Small/ early hours: the early hours in the morning (between twelve o'clock
at night and the time when the sun rises)
TEST 3
1. When you lose someone you love, everything else seems pointless
-When you lose someone you love, everything else pales in comparison.
Pale in comparison: not as good as something
2. Before you start working on the projects, first finish doing the minor jobs.
- Before you start working on the projects, first clear the decks.
Clear the decks: solve all the minor problems
3. His latest film is not nearly as good as his earlier ones.
-His latest film is not a patch on his earlier ones.
Be not a patch on something: not as good as something

4. Of all the teams competing in this year’s World Cup, England is in a

league of its own.
-England is by far and away the strongest team in the competition.
5. Jack and I obviously think very differently from one another.
-Jack and I are on a different wavelength as you can see.
Be on different wavelength: have different opinions
6. With constant practice, you’ll be a much better pianist than the others.
-If you practice constantly, you’ll be heads and shoulders above other
pianists.
Be head and shoulders above someone: be better than someone
7. If you don’t listen to my advice, I will leave you with your problems.
- If you don’t listen to my advice, I will wash my hands of you and your
problems.
Wash one’s hands of something: no longer feel responsible for; no longer

willing to help.
8. The police surrounded the entire area and prevented people from entering
it while they dusted for fingerprints.
-The area was cordoned off so that the police could dust for fingerprints.
Be cordoned off: be protected from outsiders
9. Someone undoubtedly told the police that he was going to rob the bank.
-The police must have been tipped off about the robbery.
Be tipped off about something: know something beforehand
10. Had he been a little more penitent, his appeal for mercy would not have
been ignored.
-His appeal for mercy would not have fallen on deaf ears had he been a little
more penitent.
Fall on deaf ears: be ignored or unnoticed.
11. I panicked when I thought I’d lost the documents.
- I had kittens when I thought I’d lost the documents
Have kittens: panic
12. One day Tim is going to get into trouble with the law.
-One day Tim is going to fall foul of the law.
Fall foul of something: break a rule or law, especially without intending to
13. He is the kind of man who will do anything to crush the competition.
-He is the kind of man who will go to any lengths to crush the competition.
Go to any lengths: do anything possible
14. Why are you looking so unhappy?
-Why have you got such a long face?
A long face: if you have a long face, you look sad

15. You lost the game because you failed to give the good answer to the
question.
- You lost the game because you missed the mark.
Miss the mark: fail to achieve the intended results.
16. Suddenly, the lights went off.
- Suddenly, the room plunged into darkness.
Plunge into something: to suddenly start doing something enthusiastically

(in this sentence, it means “be filled with darkness”)
17. There were empty lemonade bottles and half-eaten sandwiches all over
his floor.
-His floor was strewn with empty lemonade bottles and half-eaten
sandwiches
Be strewn with something: containing a lot of something
18. Cars are no longer being produced as a result of the strike.
- Car production has come to a standstill because of the strike.
Come to a standstill: to slow down and finally stop
19. Whenever there is a power cut, we sell a lot of candles.
-Whenever there is a power cut, we do a roaring trade in candles.
Do a roaring trade: to sell a lot of goods very quickly
20. A long, lazy holiday would make you feel very much better.
- A long, lazy holiday would do you a power of good.
Do somebody good: benefit somebody
TEST 4
1. Joe didn’t think it was wrong of him to quit at such short notice.
-Joe had no qualms about quitting at such short notice.
Have no qualms about something: feel no guilt about something
2. She‘s only just started now, but, judging by her recent performance, she
should become an excellent tennis player.
-She has the makings of an excellent tennis player.
Have the makings of something: seem likely to develop into something
3. The needs of the poor should be given more importance than those of the
middle classes.
-The needs of the poor should take priority over those of the middle
classes.
Take priority over something: be more important than something
4. I made her angry and upset when I said that her novel was amateurish and
badly written.
- She didn’t take kindly to the way I described her novel.
Take kindly to something: be willing to accept something

5. The building will be dedicated to the families who are in desperate need
of help.
-The building will be dedicated to the families who are on the breadline.
Be on the breadline: be extremely poor
6. Nobody likes him. He will do just anything to win the teacher’s favor.
-He will just do anything to curry favor with the teachers.
Curry favor with somebody: do things to gain support from somebody
7. I felt creeps all over my back when the teacher looked so angrily at me.
- I felt creeps all over my back when the teacher looked daggers at me.
Look daggers at somebody: look angrily at somebody
8. Just because I’m his wife he expects me to do everything for him.
- Just because I’m his wife he expects me to wait him on hand and foot.
Wait somebody on hand and foot: do everything for somebody
9. Dave does not hesitate to criticize his superiors’ decisions.
-Dave makes no bones about criticizing his superiors’ decisions.
Make no bones about something: do something without hesitation
10. Since I have this argument with William, we haven’t spoken to each
other.
-Since I crossed swords with William, we haven’t spoken to each other.
Cross swords with somebody: have arguments with somebody

11. The ministry spoilt our investment plans by changing the tax law.
- The ministry put a spoke in our wheel by changing the tax law.
Put a spoke in somebody’s wheel: spoil somebody’s plans
12. The teacher sent the boy out because he was behaving in a foolish way.
- The teacher sent the boy out because he was playing/ acting the goat.
Act the goat: have foolish behaviors
13. The failed exam has ruined Ann’s chance of becoming a sworn
translator.
-The failed exam has put paid to Ann’s chance of becoming a sworn
translator.
Put paid to something: to finish or destroy something
14. At your age, you should have learnt to do things for yourself, Holly.
- At your age, you should have learnt to stand on your own two feet, Holly.
Stand on your own two feet: be independent and take care of yourself
15. You will be risking a failure if you entrust this serious task to Malcolm.
- You will be riding for a fall if you entrust this serious task to Malcolm.
Ride for a fall = Be doomed to failure
16. Could you have a quick look at my essay before I give it in?
- Could you cast an eye over my essay before I give it in?
Cast an eye over something: take care of something

17. Suzy managed to cope with so many problems when she was declared
bankrupt.
- Suzy took so many problems in her stride when she was declared bankrupt.
Take something in someone’s stride: somebody handles all the problems
on their own.
18. He owes his life to that surgeon.
-He is indebted to that surgeon for saving his life
Be indebted to somebody: owe somebody something
19. There wasn’t a single ticket left for the concert so we couldn’t go.
-The concert was a complete sell-out, so we couldn’t go.
20. The first sign of the disease is blurred vision.
-The onset of the disease is marked by blurred vision.
TEST 5
1. The new rules about school uniforms will apply next year.
- The new rules about school uniforms will be put into force next year.
Be put into force: become mandatory
2. It was blindingly obvious that he knew nothing about the subject.
-It stood out a mile that he knew nothing about the subject.
Stood out a mile: be obvious

3. I’m so busy at the moment that I can’t take on any extra work.
- I have so much on my plate at the moment that I can’t take on any extra
work.
Have so much on one’s plate: have so many things to do
4. He was given an honorary medal by the military.
- An honorary medal was conferred on him by the military.
Confer something on somebody: give somebody something
5. Sean did all the illustrations for the book but no one acknowledged his
work.
- Sean wasn’t given any credit for doing all the illustrations for the book.
Give credit to someone for something: give recognition to someone
6. Susie couldn’t stop crying when her pet rabbit died.
-Susie was in floods of tears when her pet rabbit died.
7. His latest theory is in complete opposition to mainstream thinking.
- His latest theory is flies in the face of mainstream thinking.
Flies in the face: annoying things
8. Sam was really anxious, waiting to see if he had got a place in the cricket
team.
- Sam was on tenterhooks waiting to see if he had got a place in the cricket
team.
Be on tenterhooks: be extremely nervous
9. The firm went bankrupt after failing to win the contract.
-The firm went into liquidation after failing to win the contract.
Go into liquidation: go bankrupt
10. I burst into laughter when I heard about Harry’s adventure with the bull.
- I split my sides when I heard about Harry’s adventure with the bull.
Split one’s sides: burst into laughter
11. Harvey ordered some new equipment without prior permission.
- Harvey took the liberty of ordering some new equipment.
Take the liberty of something: feel free to do something
12. The BBC produces program to interest all sorts of people.
-All sorts of people are catered for by the BBC.
Cater for somebody: be favorable to somebody
13. The government’s retraining program proved to be unsuccessful due to
lack of funds.
- The government’s retraining program met with failure due to lack of
funds.
14. Reality shows on TV are extremely popular at the moment.
- Reality shows on TV are flavor of the month at the moment.
Flavor of the month: be popular at the moment

15. It is believed that the two rival companies have agreed to the merger.
- The two companies are believed to be going through with the merger.
Go through: agree
16. Finally, we reached an agreement by accepting some of our partner’s
demands.
- Finally, we met our partner halfway.
Meet someone halfway: to agree to do parts of what someone wants if they
do parts of what you want.
17. It’s not to interfere in other people’s private matters.
- It’s not to poke your nose into other people’s private matters.
Poke nose into something: interfere into something
18. With that comments of yours you did say what was exactly right.
- With that comments of yours you did hit the nail on the head.
Hit the nail on the head: give the correct answer to something
19. It‘s crucial for us to control the juvenile inmates strictly.
- It’s crucial for us to keep a tight rein on the juvenile inmates.
Keep a tight rein on something: control something strictly
20. Children enjoy unwrapping their Christmas presents.
- Children get a kick out of unwrapping their Christmas presents.
Get a kick out of something: enjoy something

TEST 6
1. That man was so annoying that I hope I never meet him again.
- Such a pain in the neck was that man, I hope I never meet him again.
A pain in the neck: someone or something that is very annoying
2. I cannot accept your dreadful lies any more.
- No longer can I stomach your dreadful lies.
Stomach = bear
3. I had just begun to look through the book when he took it away.
-Hardly had I begun to thumb through the book when he took it away.
Thumb through something: to turn the pages of the books, magazine or a

document quickly and only read a small part of it.
4. You have to obey the rules in this company if you want to get on.
-You have to toe the line if you want to get on in this company.
Toe the line: follow the rules
5. It was hard not to laugh when he sneezed in the middle of the song.
- It was hard keeping a straight face when he sneezed in the middle of the
song.
Keep a straight face: to manage to stop yourself from smiling or laughing
6. Take care or he will deceive you.
-He will pull the wool over your eyes if you aren’t careful.
Pull the wool over somebody’s eyes: deceive somebody
7. He‘s usually a good boy, unless his brother encourages him to misbehave.
-If his brother doesn’t egg him on, he‘s usually a good boy.
Egg somebody on: encourage somebody to do bad things
8. If her mother hadn’t held her back, she’d have moved away years ago.
-If it hadn’t been for her mother, she would have spread her wings years
ago.
Spread one’s wings: be independent, live on one’s own
9. In his place, I wouldn’t care too much about my reputation.
-If I were him, I wouldn’t give two hoots about my reputation.
Give too hoots about something: care too much about something
10. How could I tell him if I haven’t seen him for months?
- How could I tell him if I haven’t seen hide or hair of him for months?
Hide or hair of somebody: trace of somebody
11. She sent her husband out to buy Bulgarian mushrooms, knowing he
wouldn’t find any.
- She sent her husband out on a wild goose chase for Bulgarian mushrooms.
A wild goose chase: a hopeless and foolish pursuit
12. I’m sorry, but I’m not in the mood to discuss this matter right now.
- I’m afraid I’m not in the right frame of mind to discuss this matter right
now.
Frame of mind: someone’s mood or the particular way someone thinks or

feels about something
13. Why are you trying to mend something that isn’t broken?
- Why are you monkeying around with something that isn’t broken?
Monkey around: trying to do some foolish things

14. Must you follow me everywhere I go?
- Must you dog my footsteps everywhere I go?
Dog somebody’s footsteps: follow somebody
15. We are behind with our mortgage repayments.
-We have fallen into arrears with our mortgage repayments.
Fall into arrears: not be up to date for regular payment.
16. Once dad has made up his mind, he won’t change it.
- Dad won’t budge an inch once he has made up his mind.
Budge an inch: change one’s decision
17. Nigel is so conceited, it’s time someone showed him he‘s not as
important as he thinks.
- It’s time someone cut Nigel down to size – he’s so conceited.
Cut someone down to size: let someone know his or her true value
18. We must go back to the beginning and find the error.
- We must go back to square one to find the error.
Square one: the beginning of something
19. There was so much misleading information in the novel, I didn’t guess
who the murderer was.
- There were so many red herrings in the novel, I didn’t guess who the
murderer was.
Red herrings: misleading information
20. Tim failed to get into university and he gets very annoyed if it’s
mentioned.
- Timothy has got a chip on his shoulder about his failure to get into
university.
Get a chip on one’s shoulder: to seem angry all the time because you think
you have been treated unfairly or feel you are not as good as other people.
TEST 7
1. We wish to complain about your dog, Mr. Taylor.
- We have a bone to pick with you about your dog, Mr. Taylor.
Have a bone to pick with somebody: have something to complain to

somebody
2. I think the mayor is involved in everything that goes on in this town.
- I think the mayor has a finger in every pie in this town.
Have a finger in every pie: know everything about somebody or something
3. Henry’s got friends in both the Labor and Conservative party.
- Henry has got a foot in both camps when it comes to politics.
Get a foot in both camps: have relationships with people from both sides
4. We must get started before all the guests arrive.
- Let’s get this show on the road before all the guests arrive.
Get something on the road: get something started
5. His business became successful once he started to behave more

responsibly.
-After cleaning up his act, he began to make a success of his business.
Clean up one’s act: begin to behave in a better way
6. Unless you get organized, you will never be ready by Saturday.

- If you don’t get your act together, you will never be ready by Saturday.
Get your act together: get organized
7. They’re a troublesome group but Mr. Jones keeps control of them.
- Mr. Jones has the upper hand with that troublesome group.
Have the upper hand with something: keep control of something
8. Bert’s life seemed to go wrong after his parents died.
- Bert’s life went off the rails after his parents died.
Go off the rails: go wrong
9. We must arrange every detail of the ceremony in advance.
- Every detail of the ceremony must be mapped out in advance.
Map something out: arrange every detail of something
10. A motorbike is good for getting through the traffic.
- You can weave in and out the traffic easily on a motorbike.
Weave in and out: to move, drive or walk in and out of something
11. They choose John because he was the only one who spoke French.
-It was his knowledge of French that tipped the scales in John’s favor.
Tip the scales/balance: if something tips the balance or tips the scales, it is
the thing that causes a particular situation to happen or a particular decision
to be made.
12. How dare you say my work isn’t good enough!
- How dare you sit in judgment on my work.
Sit in judgment on something: say that something is not good enough
13. Gary is only waiting for the right opportunity to hand in his notice.
- Gary is only biding his time until he hands in his notice.
Bide somebody’s time: wait for something
14. We jogged all the way to the river but had to stop at the bridge.
- We ran out of steam after jogging as far as the bridge.
Run out of steam: too tired to continue
15. Whatever we plan to do, Jack will stop us.
- Jack always throws a spanner in the works whenever we plan to do

something.
Throw a spanner in something: stop something from continuing
16. He wasn’t quite so confident after you told him you were an Olympic
boxer, was he?
- Telling him you were an Olympic boxer took the wind out of his sails,
didn’t it?
Take the wind out of one’s sails: take one’s confidence away
17. I can always rely on you to calm things down, Gina.
- I can always rely on you to pour oil on troubled waters, Gina.
Pour oil on troubled waters: calm the situation down
18. We shouldn’t give up now after we‘ve come so far.
- We shouldn’t throw in the towel now after we‘ve come so far.
Throw in the towel: give up
19. You’ll have to make a decision soon, you know.
- You can’t sit on the fence forever, you know.
Sit on the fence: hesitate to make a decision
20. When that virus got into my computer, I lost six months’ work.
- Six months’ work went up in smoke when that virus got into my computer.
Go up in smoke: go lost
TEST 8
1. I went to enormous trouble to find a wedding photographer in time.
-I went through hell and high water to find a wedding photographer in time.
Hell and high water: trouble, problem
2. We got involved in so many details that the meeting lasted for hours.
-We got bogged down in so many details that the meeting lasted for hours.
Get bogged down: get involved too much in something
3. The strong wind carried off the kids’ kite.
-The kids’ kite was borne off/ away/ by/ on the wind.
Borne off: to remove from a certain place
4. It’s time you got rid of some of your inhibitions.
-I wish you would cast off/ aside/ away some of your inhibitions.
Cast off: get rid of something
5. I have been searching desperately for a new home help.
-I‘ve been casting around for a new home help.
Cast around for something: looking, searching for something
6. I’d be grateful if you’d keep this to yourself for the time being.
-I‘d be grateful if you didn’t put this about for the time being.
Put something about: to tell a lot of people something that is not true
7. Cole is a really terrible singer.

-By no stretch of the imagination is Cole a good singer.
By no stretch of imagination: under no circumstances
8. I’ll explain everything to the new man when he arrives.
-I’ll put the new man in the picture when he arrives.
Put someone in the picture: explain someone something
9. Harry knows about the new regulations so let’s ask him.
-Let’s pick Harry’s brains about the new regulations.
Pick someone’s brains: ask somebody something
10. I don’t like the way your sister talks to me.
-I take a dim view of the way your sister talks to me, Emma.
Take a dim view of something: dislike something
11. Why did you have to cause so much trouble over something so
unimportant?
-Why did you have to make such a song and dance about something so
unimportant?
Make a song and dance about something: make a fuss bout something
12. The boss wasn’t impressed by Bill’s budget proposals.
-Bill’s budget proposals cut no ice with the boss.
Cut no ice with somebody: not impress someone
13. John and I have had an argument over the poor sales figure.
-I have had a brush with John over the poor sales figures.
Have a brush with somebody: have an argument with somebody
14. Why don’t you try building a fountain in the garden?

-Why don’t you have a stab at building a fountain in the garden?
Have a stab at something: try something
15. She married Tom although she loved Henry as well.
-She loved both Tom and Henry but when it came to the crunch she married
Tom.
Come to the crunch: when a situation becomes extremely serious
16. You can’t persuade Roger too deviate from the rules, can you?
-Roger always goes by the book, doesn’t he?
Go by the book: follow the rules
17. Perhaps I’ll do what you did and learn Spanish.
-Perhaps I’ll take a leaf out of your book and learn Spanish.
Take a leaf out of your book: do what someone does
18. You’ll get the maximum punishment when they find out what you’ve
done.
-They’ll throw the book at you when they find out what you’ve done.
Throw the book at someone: punish someone
19. I tried to show Jim a faster way of working but he’s too set in his ways,
isn’t he?
-I tried to show Jim a faster way of working but you can’t teach an old dog
new tricks, can you?
Teach an old dog new tricks: change someone who always sticks to their
way
20. She talked so much I was unable to join in the conversation.
-I couldn’t get a word in edgeways because she talked so much.

Get a word in edgeways: join a conversation
TEST 9
1. The time has come to deal with your problems.
-The time has come to get to grips with your problems.
Get to grips with something: deal with something
2. It took me ages to learn how to surf properly.
- It took me ages to get the knack of surfing properly.
Get the knack of something: learn to do something
3. James got furious when he found out about her lies.
-James got furious when he got wind of her lies.
Get wind of something: know the truth about something
4. I’m sure he will be back to full health soon.
- I’m sure he will get back on his feet soon.
Get back on one’s feet: get back to full health, recover from illness
5. She‘s desperately trying to keep out of financial trouble and not go

bankrupt.
-She’s desperately trying to keep her head above water and not go bankrupt.
Keep one’s head above water: keep oneself away from trouble
6. There’s trouble ahead and we should be extremely careful.
-The storm clouds are gathering and we should be extremely careful.
Storm clouds: trouble
7. Danny finally reasoned when they threatened to fire him.
-Danny was brought to his senses by their threat to fire him.

Be brought to one’s senses: think logically again
8. I completely emptied the drawers but couldn’t find the address.
-I turned the drawers inside out but I couldn’t find the address.
Turn something inside out: Empty something to look for something else
9. It really put Betty in her place when the boss said she was the office
junior.
-The boss really brought Betty down a peg or two by saying she was the
office junior.
Bring somebody down a peg or two: put somebody in their right position,
say the real ability of somebody
10. I think having to earn his own living was quite a shock to Billy.
-Billy was brought down to earth by having to earn his own living.
Be brought down to Earth: be shocked
11. I’m only here for a minute; I’m due at the hospital shortly.
-I’m only here on a flying visit; I’m due at the hospital shortly.
Be on a flying visit: be at somewhere for a short time
12. We are in a very difficult situation and will have to do what the lawyer
says.
-We have our backs to the wall and will have to do what the lawyer says.
Have one’s backs to the wall: be in a difficult situation, between the devil
and the deep blue sea
13. Why don’t you two forget your differences and become friends again?
-Why don’t you two bury the hatchet and become friends again?
Bury the hatchet: forget the conflicts, arguments, differences and mend the
relationship
14. On the understanding that you talk frankly, I’m willing to listen.
-On the understanding that you call a spade a spade, I’m willing to listen.
Call a spade a spade: talk frankly, honestly
15. Now that he’s divorced, Sam is trying to get his life back to normal and
start afresh.
- Now that he’s divorced, Sam is trying to pick up the pieces and start
afresh.
Pick up the pieces: recover from something bad, get back to one’s life
16. Ben is incredibly witty when he is in a good mood.
- Ben’s wit is razor - sharp when he is in a good mood.
Razor-sharp: extremely sharp
If you describe someone’s mind as razor-sharp, that person thinks really

quickly
17. The rehearsal went off without any problems in the end.
-The rehearsal went off without a hitch in the end.
Without a hitch: smooth, no problem
18. We will only be able to afford a holiday if we are very strict with our
expenses.
-Only if we keep a tight rein on our expenses will we be able to afford a

holiday.
Keep a tight rein: control something strictly
19. The documentary made me realize how poor many people are in other
parts of the world.
-The documentary brought home to me how poor many people are in other
parts of the world.
Bring home to somebody: make somebody realize something
20. Andrew rarely says how good he is at things, even though he’s very
talented.
-Seldom does Andrew blow his own trumpet, even though he’s very talented.
Blow one’s own trumpet: someone says how good he or she is, show off
TEST 10
1. By agreeing to help him out financially, you’ll only be causing problems
for yourself.
-You will only be digging your own grave by agreeing to help him out
financially.
Dig one’s own grave: cause problems for oneself
2. The military parade was just the government showing its power before the
elections.
- The military parade was just the government flexing its muscles before the
elections.
Flex one’s muscles: show one’s power
3. Were he to speak in a clearer fashion, I could follow his argument.
-Were he to speak in a clearer fashion, I would not lose the thread of his
argument.
Lose the thread of something: cannot follow something, lose track of

something
4. I didn’t think much of what Tom suggested.
-I didn’t set much store by Tom’s suggestion.
Set much store by something: think much about something
5. He shot the bottles from the top of the wall, one by one.
-He picked off the bottles from the top of the wall, one by one.
Pick off: shoot
6. Carter was not popular at work because he never associated with anyone.
- Carter was not popular at work because he always kept himself aloof from
everyone.
Aloof: not friendly or willing to take part in things
7. He has tons of money since he won the lottery.
-He is filthy rich since he won the lottery.
Filthy rich: extremely rich
8. Don still has very little experience so we should be patient.
-Don is still wet behind the ears so we should be patient.
Wet behind the ears: inexperienced
9. The two brothers have been quarrelling about the property for years.
- The two brothers have been at loggerheads over the property for years.
Be at loggerheads: quarrel, argue, disagree with each other about something
10. I’d prefer not to discuss our problems in front of our friends.
-I’d sooner we didn’t wash our dirty linen in front of our friends.
Wash the dirty linen: talk about the problems
11. The boss is in a really bad mood today.
-The boss gets out of the bed on the wrong side today.
Get out of the bed on the wrong side: have a bad mood
12. He reserved positions and defeated him.
-He turned the tables on him and defeated him.

Turn the tables on someone: to change the situation so that you now have
an advantage over someone who previously had an advantage on you
13. I was assured of success, then he withdrew his support.
- I was assured of success, then he pulled the rug out from under my feet.
Pull the rug out from under one’s feet: suddenly take away important
support from someone
14. It‘s rather a dull plat, but I think a coat of paint will make it a lot
brighter.
- It’s rather a dull plat, but I think a coat of paint will jazz it up nicely.
Jazz something up: make something better
15. That Chinese porcelain vase is sold for a price far below its true value, if
you ask me.
-That Chinese porcelain vase is going for a song, if you ask me.
Go for a song: be sold for a low price
16. After fifty years of isolation, they’ve begun opening up to the west in the
hope of receiving financial assistance.
- After fifty years of isolation, they’ve begun making overtures to the west in
the hope of receiving financial assistance.
Make overtures: express a willingness to pursue a relationship to ask for

support for help
17. When he realized she was heir to a fortune, his whole attitude towards
her changed.
-He completely changed his tune when he realized she war heir to a fortune.
Change one’s tune: change one’s attitude, opinion
18. I felt like a new person after I‘d had my hip operation.
-My hip operation gave me a new lease on life.
New lease of life: an occasion when makes you better than before, like give
u a new life
19. The guide book speaks highly of this hotel.
-The guide book gives the hotel its seal of approval.
Give something/ somebody seal of approval: speak highly of something/

somebody
20. He will be the one to accept responsibility for this affair.
- He will be the one to carry the can for this affair.
Carry the can for something: take the responsibility for something
TEST 11
1. You would have enjoyed yourself if you had come to Cuba with us.
- You would have had the time of your life if you had come to Cuba with us.
Have the time of one life: have a very good time doing something
2. My teacher doesn’t like me and never leaves me alone.
- My teacher has it in for me and never leaves me alone.
Have it in for somebody: do not like somebody
3. If you keep walking slowly like that, we’ll never get there.
- If you keep walking at a snail’s pace, we’ll never get there.
At a snail’s pace: extremely slowly
4. The delegate spoke in great detail about the changes.
- The delegate spoke at great length about the changes.
Speak something at great length: speak something in a very detailed way

5. Why don’t we split the taxi fare?
- Let’s go halves on the taxi fare.
Go halves on something: split something half- half
6. The cheque they got helped enormously to pay for their honeymoon.
- The cheque they got went a long way towards paying for their honeymoon.
Go a long way towards doing something: to be very helpful
7. The firm had a lot of success in the soft drinks market.
- The firm made a killing in the soft drinks market.
Make a killing: to earn a lot of money in a short time and with little effort
8. There are several other people ready to do this job if you can’t.
- If you can’t do this job, there are several other people waiting in the wings
who can.
Waiting in the wings: if someone or something is waiting in the wings,

they are not yet active or important, but are ready or likely to be so soon.
9. You will have no success if you think you can make her change her mind.
- You are fighting a losing battle if you think you can make her change her
mind.
Fight a losing battle: be doomed to failure
10. Punk fashion was at its peak in the late seventies.
- Punk fashion was in its heyday in the late seventies.
Be in one’s heyday: during the period of one’s success.
11. Few people approved of his presence at the funeral.
- Most people frowned on his presence at the funeral.
Frown on something: disapprove of something

12. They were totally unprepared for my arrival.
- They were caught unawares by my arrival.
Be caught unawares: unexpectedly and suddenly without any warning
13. Resigning to annoy your boss is really only hurting yourself and you
know it.
- Resigning to annoy your boss is like cutting off your nose to spite your face
and you know it.
Cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face is an expression to describe a

needlessly self-destructive over-reaction to a problem.
14. His father left him no money in his will.
- His father cut him off without a penny when he died.
Cut someone off without a penny: leave someone no money in one’s will
15. Her remark took me completely by surprise.
- Her remark caught me completely off guard.
Catch somebody off guard: surprise somebody by doing something they

are not expecting
16. You are leaving very late if you want to be at the airport on time.
- You are cutting it fine if you want to be at the airport on time.
Cut it fine: to allow very little time for something
17. He doesn’t know what’s happening in the theatre world any more.
- He is out of touch with what’s happening in the theatre world any more.
Out of touch: not informed or not having the same ideas as most people
about something, so that you make mistakes.
18. If anyone asks you, just tell them you didn’t know.
- Just plead ignorance if anyone asks you.
Plead ignorance: to say one knows nothing about something
19. Working in the mines all those years affected his health.
- Working in the mines all those years took a heavy toll on his health.
Take a heavy toll: have an adverse effect
20. I honestly think you are mad if you expect me to get up that early.
- I honestly think you‘ve got a screw loose if you expect me to get up that
early.
Have a screw loose: behave in a strange way
TEST 12
1. If you don’t follow his advice, you will pay far more than necessary.
- You will pay through the nose if you don’t follow his advice.
Pay through the nose: pay much more than a fair price
2. She regards everyone who’s not a member of her family as inferior.
- She looks down on everyone who isn’t a member of her family.
Look down on someone: regard someone as inferior
3. I should think very carefully before I made that decision, if I were you.
- You should look before you leap that decision.
4. Rachel worked miracles to get Jackie the editor’s job in her company.
- Rachel moved heaven and earth to get Jackie the editor’s job in her
company.
Move heaven and earth: to do everything you can to achieve something
5. He gets annoyed when you refer to his family backgrounds.

- It gets under his skin when you refer to his family backgrounds.
Get under one’s skin: annoy or irritate someone intensely
6. Alexander the Great controlled most of the ancient world.
- Alexander the Great held sway over most of the ancient world.
Hold sway over something: control something
7. Barry is determined to have a holiday in the States this year.
- Barry has set his mind/ heart on having a holiday in the States this year.
Set one’s mind/ heart on something: be determined to do something
8. In no time, the new chairman was doing exactly what the board
wanted.
- In no time, the board had the new chairman eating out of their hand.
Have somebody eating out of one’s hand: to easily make someone do or

think what you want.
9. Carolyn‘s just another of those people fighting a lost cause, I’m afraid.
- Carolyn’s just another bleeding heart, I’m afraid.
Bleeding heart: someone who shows too much sympathy for everyone
10. Philip worked his very hardest to get through his exams.
- Philip broke his neck getting through his exams.
Break one’s neck: to put forth a great deal of effort.
11. Wendy suddenly felt petrified when the lights went out and she was left
in the dark.
- Wendy’s blood ran cold when the lights went out and she was left in the
dark.
Make somebody’s blood run cold: frighten somebody very much

12. Jenny couldn’t relax at all during the interview.
- Jenny was a bundle of nerves during the interview.
Be a bundle of nerves: be very nervous
13. The audience didn’t stop laughing for two hours during Reluctant
Heroes.
- The play Reluctant Heroes had the audience in stitches for well over two
hours.
Have somebody in stitches: make somebody laugh so much
14. They sent new instructions with very little warning and that caused a lot
of trouble.
- New instructions were sent at short notice and that caused a lot of trouble.
At short notice: only a short time before something happens
15. In my opinion, his remarks were totally unsuitable for the occasion.
- In my opinion, his remarks were not in keeping with the occasion.
Be in keeping with something: be suitable for something
16. We’re nearly finished, we’ve just got a couple of small things to do
before we leave.
- There are just some loose ends to tie up before we leave.
Loose ends: things that still need to be done or explained
17. The Managing Director arrived just as the meeting was about to end, as
usual.
- The Managing Director arrived just as the meeting was drawing to a close,
as usual.
Draw to a close: to come to an end
18. In a feeble attempt to make everyone relax, John cracked a joke.

- In a feeble attempt to break the ice, John cracked a joke.
Break the ice: make everyone laugh and relax
19. Her parents have forbidden her to go to pubs.
- She is forbidden by her parents to set foot in pubs.
Set foot in somewhere: to go to a place
20. I think we‘ve got the worst part of this work done.
- I think we‘ve broken the back of this work.
Break the back of something: to get the worst part of something done
TEST 13
1. To clear up misunderstanding, he wrote to the press to deny any
involvement in the affair.
- To set the record straight, he wrote to the press to deny any involvement in
the affair.
Set the record straight: to put right a mistake or a misunderstanding
2. For the first couple of years in the business, we were happy just to cover
our costs.
- We were happy to break even for the first couple of years in the business.
Break even: to have no profit or loss at the end of a business activity
3. Julie forgets everything you tell her.
-Whatever you tell Julie goes in one ear and out the other.
Go in one ear and out the other: if you say that something you hear goes
in one ear and out the other, you mean you quickly forget it
4. The new restaurant has terrific food.
- The food is out of this world at that new restaurant.

Out of this world: extremely good
5. Couldn’t they find anyone better than Rosa to represent them?
- They must have scraped the bottom of the barrel if Rosa’s representing
them.
Scrape the bottom of the barrel: to use the worst things or people that is
available.
6. I hardly remember the house where I lived as a child.
- I only have a hazy recollection of the house where I lived as a child.
Have a hazy recollection of something: not remember something clearly
7. A good way to forget one’s problems is to listen to music.
- Listening to music is a good way of taking one’s mind off one’s problems.
Take one’s mind off something: forget something
8. We must remember that the economy is in serious trouble.
- We mustn’t lose sight of the fact that the economy is in serious trouble.
Lose sight of something: forget something
9. Her troubles were written clearly on the face.
- Her face was etched with deep lines of worry.
Be etched with something: have something clearly
10. I’ve filled in so many tax-forms I can do them in my sleep.
- I’ve got tax-forms down to a fine art, I’ve filled in so many.
Get something to a fine art: do something smoothly
11. Why do some people make such a great fuss of the simplest situation?
- Why do some people make a drama out of the simplest situation?

Make a drama out of something: make a great fuss about something
12. Just because his brother is a criminal doesn’t mean Gareth is one, too.
- You shouldn’t tar Gareth with the same brush as his brother.
Tar someone with the same brush: to think that someone has the same bad
qualities as another person
13. You shouldn’t judge people by their appearance.
- Judging a book by its cover can often be misleading.
Judge a book by its cover: judge someone or something by its outlook
14. He told us an amusing story about his trip to Finland.
- He gave us an amusing account of his trip to Finland.
Give someone an amusing account of something: tell an amusing story

about something
15. Residents are trying to persuade the company to relocate the factory.
- Residents are trying to bring pressure to bear on the company to relocate

the factory.
Bring pressure to bear on: if you bring pressure to bear on someone, you
use it to try and persuade them to do something.
16. Many countries have yet to promise to abolish the use of landmines.
- Many countries have yet to give their undertaking to abolish the use of
landmines.
Give one’s undertaking: to make a promise
17. Pam always maintains her composure in any crisis.
- Pam always keeps her head in any crisis.
Keep one’s head: remain calm

18. Why do you criticize everything I do?
- Why do you pick holes in everything I do?
Pick holes in something: criticise something
19. Readjusting one’s life after a personal tragedy can be a very slow
process.
- Picking up the pieces after a personal tragedy can be a very slow process.
Pick up the pieces: readjust one’s life
20. Staying cheerful in times of trouble is not something everyone can do.
- Keeping one’s spirits up in times of troubles is not something everyone can

do.
Keep one’s spirits up: stay cheerful
TEST 14
1. It’s a thriller that has you riveted all the way through.
- It’s a thriller that keeps you in suspense all the way.
Keep somebody in suspense: delay telling someone something that they are
very eager to know about
2. I am not happy with you.
- I have a bone to pick with you.
Have a bone to pick with someone: to want to talk about something

annoying they have done
3. William is a very private person.
- William keeps himself to himself.
Keep oneself to oneself: to not talk to other people very much
4. The police think the robbery was an inside job.

- The robbery has all the hallmarks of an inside job, according to the police.
Have all the hallmarks of something: to have all the traits that are usually
associated with a particular person or thing.
5. Debbie is the only one who knows everything there is to know in this
office.
- The only one in this office who knows the ropes is Debbie.
Know the ropes: have experience of something
6. The least we can do is talk about his ideas for a while before we decide.
- The least we can do is kick his ideas around for a while before we decide.
Kick one’s ideas: talk about one’s ideas
7. The Jones and Smith families seem always to be at loggerheads.
- There seems to be bad blood between the Jones and the Smith families.
Bad blood: feelings of hate between something
8. I know we all make mistakes but did you really have to marry him?
- I know to err is human but did you really have to marry him?
To err is human: something that you say that means that it is natural for
people to make mistakes
9. “The headmasters should not allow older boys to pick on the juniors.” said
Mrs. Brown.
- Mrs. Brown criticized the headmaster for allowing older boys to gang up
on the juniors.
Gang up on someone: pick on someone
10. Many people say that nine times out of ten the law makes no sense.
- It is often said that the law is an ass because it actually makes no sense.
Be an ass: something bad
11. Roy and Jackie never seem to have anything but good to say about each
other.
- Roy and Jackie have a mutual admiration society by the sounds of it.
Mutual admiration society: a relationship between two people who have

strong feeling of esteem for each other and often exchange lavish
compliments
12. Wanting what other people have is a waste of time, energy and money.
- Trying to keep up with the Joneses is a waste of time, energy and money.
Keep up with the Joneses: to always want to own the same expensive
objects and do the same things as your friends or neighbors
13. The situation has been grossly exaggerated, I’m afraid.
- The situation has been blown out of all proportion, I’m afraid.
Be blown out of all proportion: be grossly exaggerated
14. Although the article may make sense, I think it’s making too much of the
point.
- The article may make sense, but I think it’s laboring the point too much.
Labor the point: to try too hard to express an idea, feeling or opinion when
it is not necessary
15. Mr. Atkinson is a very well – respected member of the community.
- Mr. Atkinson is held in very high esteem by the community.
Be held in very high esteem: be very well-respected
16. I’m having a hard time finding a second-hand petrol pump for my car.
- I’m having a hard time laying my hands on a second-hand petrol pump for
my car.
Lay one’s hands on something: find something
17. Although they tried hard to convince her, Claire would not change her
opinion.
- Try as they might to convince her, Claire held fast to her opinion.
Hold fast to one’s opinion: not change one’s opinion
18. Can you look after the shop for a couple of hours tomorrow?
- Can you hold the fort at the shop for a couple of hours tomorrow?
Hold the fort: take responsibility for something while another person is
absent
19. Derek does not appreciate that Lisa risked her career to save his job.
- Derek does not appreciate that Lisa laid her career on the line to save his
job.
Lay one’s career on the line: risk one’s career
20. Why don’t you be frank with us and tell us what‘s on your mind?
- Why don’t you lay your cards on the table and tell us what‘s on your mind?
Lay one’s cards on the table: be honest about one’s feelings and opinions
TEST 15
1. My brother is very attached to his stamp collection, and keeps it locked
up.
- My brother holds his stamp collection very dear, and keeps it locked up.
Hold something very dear: to consider someone or something to be very

valuable or important
2. A true patriot would willingly die for his country.
- A true patriot would lay down his life for his country.
Lay down one’s life: die
3. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to try and help us.
- He bent over backwards to help us.
Bend over backwards: to try extremely hard to help or please someone
4. The two sides met with a view to settling the problem.
- The two sides met with a view to ironing out the problem.
Iron out something: solve, settle down something
5. Don’t decide right away – give it some thought and ring me next week.
- Don’t decide right away – sleep on it and ring me next week.
Sleep on something: think about something
6. In this company, nobody’s job is regarded as important.
- Everyone is just a cog in the machine as far as this company’s concerned.
A cog in the machine: a small or insignificant member of a larger

organization
7. Trapeze artists who perform without a net must have tremendous courage.
- Trapeze artists must have nerves of steel to perform without a net.
Have nerves of steel: have a tremendous courage
8. Erik is never happier than when he’s out on the lake in his boat.
- Erik is in his element when he’s out on the lake in his boat.
Be in one’s element: be extremely happy
9. The negotiator achieved the impossible when he got both sides to meet for
talks.
- The negotiator squared the circle by getting got both sides to meet for
talks.
Square the circle: achieve the impossible
10. If you peel some potatoes it will get us started.
- You can set the wheels in motion by peeling some potatoes.
Set the wheels in motion: get something started
11. You just don’t think at all, giving a lift to perfect strangers.
- You don’t have an atom of sense, giving a lift to perfect strangers.
Not have an atom of sense: not think at all
12. It took a lot of time and effort to get Ron’s new business started.
- It took a lot of time and effort to get Ron’s new business off the ground.
Get something off the ground: get something started
13. It’s a shame to quit now that you have come so far.
- Don’t throw in the towel now that you have come so far.
Throw in the towel: quit something; surrender
14. The Prime Minister felt it appropriate to make a statement.
- The Prime Minister saw fit to make a statement.
See fit: consider it correct or appropriate to do something
15. If I were you, I wouldn’t trust him to do the job properly.
- If I were you, I wouldn’t put my money on him to do the job properly.
Put one’s money on somebody: trust somebody
16. He says he didn’t know, so we ‘ll just have to take his word for it.
- We’ll just have to give him the benefit of the doubt as he says he didn’t
know.
Give one the benefit of the doubt: to decide that you will believe someone
, even though you are not sure that what a person is saying is true.
17. Could you take a quick look at this letter before I post it?
- Could you run your eye over this letter before I post it?
Run one’s eye over something: take a quick look at something
18. I’m sure that once he’s learned the system, he’ll perform well.
- I’m sure that he ‘ll come into his own once he’s learned the system.
Come into one’s own: If someone or something comes into their own, they
become very successful or start to perform very well because the
circumstances are right.
19. If necessary, I’ll testify in court.
- If it comes to the crunch, I’ll testify in court.
If/ when it comes to the crunch: when a decision becomes very serious and
a decision has to be made
20. He’s the clumsiest person in the world when it comes to mending
anything.
- He’s all fingers and thumbs when it comes to mending anything.
Be all fingers and thumbs: move your hands in an awkward way, be

clumsy
TEST 16
1. I would not say no to a free weekend in that hotel.
- I would not turn my nose up at a free weekend in that hotel.
Turn one’s nose up: to not accept something because you do not think it is
good enough for you
2. The jury found the accused man guilty.

- The jury brought in a verdict of guilty against the accused man.
A verdict of guilty in a criminal case is generally followed by a judgment of

conviction rendered by judge, which in turn be followed by sentencing.
3. The press revealed the truth after a long period of speculation.
- The press brought the truth out into the open after a long period of
speculation.
Out in the open: exposed and visible to others in an open space or area.
4. With the qualifications you certainly don’t have to be forced into a

decision, Sandy.
- With the qualifications you can certainly keep your options open, Sandy.
Keep one’s options open: to refrain from making a decision or commitment

that will limit one’s choices in the future.
5. Now it’s up to you to do something about the situation.
- Now the ball is in your court to do something about the situation.
The ball is in one’s court: it is time for someone to deal with a problem or
make a decision, because other people have already done as much as they
can
6. Why did you decide to do such a stupid thing?
- Why did you take it into your head to do such a stupid thing?
Take it into one’s head: If somebody takes it into their head

to do something, especially something strange or foolish, they suddenly
decide to do it.
7. It will be a difficult task to persuade him.
- It will take some doing to persuade him.
Take some doing: to be particularly difficult or require a large amount of

effort
8. Brazil won the 2002 World Cup easily.
- The 2002 World Cup was a pushover for Brazil.
Pushover (n): something that is easy to do or to win
9. I can do that automatically, without even thinking about it.
- I can do that with my eyes closed.
Do something with one’s eyes closed: able to do something very easily,

even without having to think about it or look at it
10. It’s not easy to work and be a mother, but people often forget that.
- Working and being a mother is no picnic but people often forget that.
Be no picnic: to be a difficult or unpleasant situation
11. Can you look after the place while I pop out for ten minutes?
- Can you hold the fort while I pop out for ten minutes?
Hold the fort: take responsibility for a situation while another person is
absent
12. We‘ve got problems with the new machine, but they will soon be fixed.
- We are having teething troubles with the new machine, but they will soon
be fixed.
Teething troubles: problems that happen in the early stages of doing

something new
13. The new restaurant has little to recommend it.
- The new restaurant doesn’t have much going for it.
Have much going for something: used to talk about how many advantages
and good qualities someone or something has
14. There is nothing Maurice wants more than to be a professional musician.

- Maurice has set his sights on being a professional musician.
Set one’s sights on something: if you set your sights on something, you
decide that you want it and try hard to get it.
15. People may need the company of others, but some prefer their own.
- Although man is a social animal, some people prefer their own company.
Social animals are those animals which interact highly with other animals,
usually of their own species, to the point of having a recognizable and
distinct society.
16. Dad has changed his mind completely and says you can take the car after
all.
- Dad has done a 180’turn and says you can take the car after all.
Do a 180’ turn: change completely
17. The factory workers were upset about the planned budget cuts.
- The factory workers were up in arms about the planned budget cuts.
Be up in arms: be angry and upset
18. She doesn’t feel comfortable with strangers.
- She feels ill at ease with strangers.
Feel ill at ease: to be worried and not relaxed
19. I think his experiments will succeed this time.
- I think his experiments will bear fruit this time.
Bear fruit: yield positive result
20. With six children to look after, she’s extremely busy.
- With six children to look after, she has her hands full.
Have one’s hands full: have as much work as one can do

TEST 17
1. Their problems are all self-inflicted, if you ask me.
- Their problems are all of their own making, if you ask me.
Be of own making: If you say that something such as a problem you

have is of your own making, you mean you have caused or created it
yourself
2. Mum is in charge of finances in our family, so you’ll have to ask her for
the money.
- Mum holds the purse strings in our family, so you’ll have to ask her for the
money.
Hold the purse strings: be responsible for finances
3. I know you hate watching football but try it out for once.
- I know you hate watching football but give it a whirr for once.
Give something a whirr: give something a try
4. It’s a quick and simple job; why do you always spend longer than
necessary on it?
- It’s a quick and simple job; why do you always make a meal of it?
Make a meal of something: to treat something as more important and

serious than it really is
5. Everyone is talking about the Beckhams these days.
- The Beckhams are the talk of the town these days.
Be the talk of the town: to be what everyone is talking about
6. The small village sustained most of the impact of the attack.
- The small village bore the brunt of the attack.
Bear the brunt of something: suffer most from something bad

7. I wish I had voted for the liberal candidate.
- I wish I had cast my vote for the liberal candidate.
Cast one’s vote for someone/ something: vote for someone/ something in a
poll or an election
8. His work doesn’t meet the required standards.
- His work isn’t really up to scratch.
Be up to scratch: meet the required standards
9. He untied the boat and let it go without saying anything to anybody.
- He cast the boat adrift without saying anything to anybody.
Cast adrift: to cause (someone) to float on the water in a boat that is not tied
to anything or controlled by anyone —often used as (be) cast adrift
10. She doubted my ability to make a success of the operation.
- She cast doubt on my ability to make a success of the operation.
Cast doubt on something: Cause something or someone to be questioned
11. The accident spoiled the game.
- The accident cast a shadow over the game.
Cast a shadow over something: to spoil a good situation with something
12. His questioning didn’t bring out any new evidence in the case.
- His questioning cast no further light on the case.
Cast light on something: To reveal information or details about something;

to clarify or help people understand something.
13. The police asked her to try and remember the night of the crime.
- The police asked her to cast her mind back to the night of the crime.
Cast one’s mind back to something: to think about something that

happened in the past, in order to remember something important
14. The director is looking everywhere for a new lead actor.
- The director has cast his net wide in the search for a new lead actor.
Cast/spread one’s net wide: to try many different things so that one will
have the best chance of finding what one wants
15. How dare he call me incompetent!
- He had the nerve to call me incompetent!
Have the nerve to do something: has the ability to do something rude

without caring about others’ feelings
16. Don’t get upset about it whatever you do.
- Don’t take it to heart whatever you do.
Take something to heart: take criticism seriously and be affected by it
17. Has he gone mad?
- Has he taken leave of his senses?
Take leave of one’s senses: to lose your good judgment
18. Charles disappeared one day and no one’s seen him since.
- Charles vanished into the blue one day and no one’s seen him since.
Vanish into the blue: completely gone or disappear
19. That horrible hotel was our last choice.
- That horrible hotel was a case of any port in a storm.
Any port in a storm: in adverse circumstances one welcome any source of

relief or escape.
20. Jill became really jealous when I got a place at Oxford.

- Jill turned green with envy when I got a place at Oxford.
Be green with envy: to be very unhappy because someone has something

that you want
TEST 18
1. I told him to leave when he said that.
- I showed him the door when he said that.
Show someone the door: to tell someone to leave or make it clear you want
someone to leave
2. Don’t tell him or you’ll spoil the surprise.
- Don’t tell him or you’ll give the show away.
Give the show away: to make known a secret, trick, etc
3. Al Pacino gave the best performance of all as the bride’s father.
-Al Pacino stole the show with his performance as the bride’s father.
Steal the show: if you say that someone steals the show, you mean that they
get a lot of attention or praise because they perform better than anyone else
in a show or event.
4. When it comes to money, I saw what he was really like.
- He showed his true colors when it came to money.
Show one’s true colors: to show what one is really like : to reveal one's real
nature or character
5. Could you explain everything about the job to the new secretary
tomorrow?
- Do you mind showing the new secretary the ropes tomorrow?
Show someone the ropes: to explain or demonstrate to one how to do or

perform a job, task, or activity.
6. I don’t wish to appear more important than you, but I have this to say.
- I don’t wish to upstage you, but I have this to say.
Upstage someone: to take people’s attention away from someone and make
them listen to or look at you instead
7. The shops are near our house.
- The shops are just a stone’s throw away.
A stone’s throw (away): a short distance
8. He’s so wealthy he doesn’t even know what to do with his money.
- He’s so wealthy he has got money to burn.
- Have money to burn: to spend a lot of money on things that are not
necessary
9. I have other, more important things to do, you know.
- I have got other fish to fry, you know.
Get other fish to fry: to have more important or more interesting things to
do or attend to.
10. They have quite a lot money saved for their retirement.
- They have quite a nest egg for their retirement.
Nest egg: a sum of money saved for the future
11. You are going to have a difficult time finishing by six o’clock.
- You are going to have your work cut out to finish by six o'clock.
Have one’s work cut out: to have something very difficult to do
12. He completely changed his opinion on the subject of tax reform.
- He did a complete U-turn on the subject of tax reform.

U-turn: a complete change from one opinion or plan of action to the

opposite one
13. Jim made a big mistake when he went into business with that crook.
- Jim took a wrong turning when he went into business with that crook.
Take a wrong turning: to go the wrong way
14. Speaking plainly and honestly, I wouldn’t dream of hiring him.
- Not to put too fine a point on it I wouldn’t dream of hiring him.
Put too fine a point on: to be completely direct and honest
15. I’m going to correct that misunderstanding as soon as I see her.
- I’m going to put her right as soon as I see her.
Put someone right: make someone understand the true facts of a situation
16. You should wait until Mike is here to defend himself, Sharon.
- You shouldn’t try Mike in his absence, Sharon.
Try (v): to examine evidence in court and decide whether somebody is

innocent or guilty
17. You must let her tell her side of the story before you judge her.
- You must let her plead her case before you judge her.
Plead one’s case: It is often used outside of legal contexts to indicate that
person A needs to talk to person B and explain what happened, or ask for
something
18. She managed to stay out of trouble since being released from prison.
- She managed to keep her nose clean since being released from prison.
Keep one’s nose clean: stay out of troubles
19. Jacky Jones was accused of the robbery by a police informer.

- A police informer put the finger on Jacky Jones for the robbery.
Put the finger on somebody: to accuse somebody for a crime, etc
20. Nobody has decided yet whether the new computer system is useful or
not.
- The jury is still out on whether the new computer system is useful or not.
If the jury is still out on a subject, people do not yet know the answer or
have not yet decided if it is good or bad
TEST 19
1. She took a risk for the ex-convict when she got him the job with the
company she works at.
- She really stuck her neck out for the ex-convict when she got him the job
with the company she works at.
Stick one’s neck out: take risk to try to help someone else
2. In my opinion, there’s nothing else in the world to compare with the
Parthenon.
- The Parthenon is in a class of its own in my opinion.
Be in a class of its own: to be much better than anyone or anything else
3. I think he knows what good manners are after your little speech today.
- I think you taught him a thing or two about good manners today.
Teach someone a thing or two: if you say that person can teach someone a
thing or two about it, you mean that they know a lot about it or are good at
it.
4. I know Liam so well that I always know what he’s thinking.
- I can read Liam like a book, I know him so well.
Read someone like a book: know someone really well
5. Jane always does things in the last minute.
- Jane always does things at the eleventh hour.
At the eleventh hour: in the last minute

6. Experience has taught me not to trust people too much.
- I have learned the hard way not to trust people too much.
Learn something the hard way: to discover what you need to know
through experience or by making mistakes
7. You won’t tell anyone about it, will you?
- You will keep it under your hat, won’t you?
Keep something under one’s hat: to keep something secret
8. Dad got really angry when I told him about the fight.
- Dad went off deep end when I told him about the fight.
Go off deep end: give way immediately to an emotional outburst, especially
of anger.
9. He was shabbily dressed and a little drunk as well.
- Not only was he down at heel, but also a little drunk.
Be down at heel: wearing old clothes, or in bad condition, because of not
having much money
10. Whatever you do, don’t annoy the boss when we ask for a rise.
- Under no circumstances should you get the boss’s back up when we ask for
a rise.
Get someone’s back up: to become or be caused to be angry, defensive
11. She wanted to object, but she kept quiet for the sake of peace.
- She wanted to object but she bit her lip for the sake of peace.
Bit one’s lip: to forcibly prevent oneself from exhibiting an outward

reaction to something, especially that which makes one angry, irritated, or
upset.
12. Nobody knows for sure whether he’s stupid or just very lazy.
- It is open to question whether he’s stupid or bone idle.
Bone idle: extremely lazy
13. Do you have to be good at math for this job?
- Do you have to have a good head for math for this job?
Have a good head for something: to have a natural ability to do something
well
14. Joe should have kept quiet instead of arguing with dad.
- Joe should have held his tongue instead of arguing with dad.
Hold one’s tongue: to refrain from speaking
15. It was too foggy for us to get an aerial view of Paris.
- If it hadn’t been so foggy, we could have got a bird’s eye view of Paris.
A bird’s eye view: a view from a high angle as if seen by a bird in flight
16. You will soon see that the boss is not as unpleasant as he seems at first.
- The boss’s bark is worse than his bite; you’ll soon see.
Someone’s bark is worse than their bite: If you say that someone's bark is
worse than their bite, you mean that they seem much more unpleasant or
hostile than they really are.
17. No, I don’t hate him for what he did.
- No, I bear him no ill will for what he did.
Ill will: unfriendly or hostile feelings that you have towards someone
18. Jane did go wrong in the past but now she has a chance to make it right
again.
- Jane did go wrong in the past but now she can start with a clean slate.
Start with a clean slate/sheet: to start something again with a fresh

beginning, especially unencumbered by mistakes or regrets from the past.
19. It’s perfectly obvious to all of us that they’re in love.
- You can see/tell a mile off that they are in love
A mile off: if you can see or tell something a mile off, you notice it easily
and quickly
20. Harry tricked me and made me pay for the whole meal.
- Harry pulled a fast one on me and made me pay for the whole meal.
Pull a fast one: try to gain an unfair advantage
TEST 20
1. He likes to give the impression that he’s a perfect angel, but I know all
about his past.
- He pretends to be whiter than white, but I know all about his past.
Be whiter than white: never doing anything wrong
2. She should see a doctor; she bruised herself terribly when she fell down
the stairs.
- She’d better see a doctor; she is black and blue after falling down the
stairs.
Black and blue: with dark marks on your skin caused by being hit or having
an accident
3. I’m not very popular with Uncle Edward at the moment.
- I’m in Uncle Edward’s black books at the moment.
4. Jun never answers my questions.
- Jun answers my questions not in a month of Sundays.

Not in a month of Sundays: never

5. Talking to her is useless - she doesn’t respond.
- Talking to her is like banging your head against a brick wall.
Bang one’s head against the wall: useless

6. The town hall has approved the plans for the new sports centre.
- The town hall has given the green light to the plans for the new sports
center.
7. You’d better get hurry if you want to be on time for the performance.
- You’d better get your skates on if you want to be on time for the
performance.
Get one’s skates on: be hurry
8. My boss criticized me for not keeping my deadlines.
- My boss hauled me over the coals for not keeping my deadlines.

Haul someone over the coals: to scold, reprimand, or reprove someone
severely for an error or mistake
9. For two years, the company was in a difficult position making nothing but
losses.
- For two years, the company had a bumpy ride making nothing but losses.
Have a bumpy ride: to have a difficult time
10. As I expected, my designs have outdone the designs of other architect.
- As I expected, my designs have knocked the designs of other architect into
a cocked hat.
Knock something into a cocked hat: utterly defeat or outdo something
11. As a young girl, I was strongly infatuated with my teacher of Spanish.
- As a young girl, I had a crush on my teacher of Spanish.
Have a crush on someone: like someone

12. We’d better prepare ourselves right away. They’ve arrived.
- We’d better get into gear. They’ve arrived
Get into gear: to start working or doing something in a more energetic way
13. Doing two jobs is making him become stressful all the time.
- Doing two jobs is putting a great strain on him.
Put a (great) strain on: cause stress/ difficulties
14. The basic problem is lack of money.
- What it boils down to is lack of money.
Boil down to something: to have something as a main or basic part.
15. Whatever happens I’m determined to find out the truth.
- Whatever happens I’m determined to get to the bottom of this.
Get to the bottom of something: find out the truth about something
16. If we have to paint the house before your parents come to visit, we’d
better start now.
- If we have to paint the house before your parents come to visit, we’d better
get cracking.
Get cracking: start immediately
17. After half an hour of small talk, we should talk about the important part
now.
- After half an hour of small talk, we should get down to business now.
Get down to business: start something seriously
18. When the waiters started to clean the tables, we knew that they wanted
us to leave.
- When the waiters started to clean the tables, we got the message that they
wanted us to leave.
Get the message: understand an indirect remark
19. I didn’t understand every detail of the lesson but I understood it

generally.
- I didn’t understand every detail of the lesson but I got the gist of it.
Get the gist: get the general understanding
20. Jimmy’s mother can’t stop talking about his achievements.
- Jimmy’s mother swelled with pride when talking about his achievements.
Swell with pride: be unable to contain/ unable to help showing pride.

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PAGE TÀI LIỆU TIẾNG ANH NÂNG CAO EMAIL: HOHAIDANG1807@GMAIL.

CHUYÊN ĐỀ VIẾT LẠI CÂU (DỄ)

2. The loss of the account was not our fault. (BLAME)

4. Julian is proud of his stamp collection. (PRIDE)

5. We ought to have dropped in on Muriel when we were in town. (PAID)

7. He said I could concentrate on more important matters. (TURN)

8. Jason and I shared the driving. (TURNS)

9. Roger is now responsible for the whole sales department. (CHARGE)

10. This matter has nothing to do with her. (CONCERN)

12. Time is precious, so can we please hurry? (SHORT)

15. I travelled through France for a week. (SPENT)

17. Noel seems to enjoy making people feel uncomfortable. (PLEASURE)

19. He always had everything he wanted as a child. (SHORT)

2. The two models are much the same. (NOTHING)

3. David should concentrate more on his studies. (APPLY)

4. If he continues to be rude to her, she’s going to give him a piece of her

5. It’s really worth knowing people in high places sometimes. (PAYS)

6. Your father will never allow you to marry Alec. (CONSENT)

12. If only I could read music. (LOVE)

13. It is very difficult to stay up-to-date with technology. (PACE)

14. Apparently we ‘ll have to start from scratch. (LOOKS)

20. If my mother calls , tell her I’m on my way home. (HAPPEN)

2. These old laws should be abolished. (DONE)

4. Judy‘s thinking about moving to France. (THOUGHT)

8. The open-air concerts in the park take place on alternate Sundays.

9. John was quite frank about his criminal record. (SECRET)

11. There have been a lot of redundancies in that area. (LOST)

13. Doesn’t anyone but me care about this issue? (ONLY)

16. Several flights have had to be cancelled because of heavy snowfalls.

17. Nobody knows what happened to the money. (MYSTERY)

19. The only thing I can do is to tell Monica everything. (ALTERNATIVE)

2. If the referee hadn’t intervened promptly, a fight would have developed

4. How can you bear him? (PUT)

8. You’ve no chance of succeeding if you’re going to be so pessimistic.

9. It is said that he has been to prison several times. (REPUTED)

13. She is likely to be the next president. (GOOD)

4. I had underestimated the changes I would find in my hometown.

5. I knew he would get into trouble again. (SURPRISE)

6. Immediately I heard from her, I left for London. (SOONER)

7. I began to understand that he was only interested in his own career.

9. It makes no difference to me whether we go to France or Spain. (GO)

10. I’ve never met such a vain person as Sally. (FAR)

14. He doesn’t want to be disturbed unless something urgent happens. (UP)

15. She didn’t see the point of waiting anymore. (LONGER)

16. She could hardly remember her childhood. (FAINT)

18. The price of a litre of petrol is going up by two cents. (RISE)

3. The government is trying to conceal the truths. (UP)

4. I found my job because I subscribe to that magazine. (SUBSCRIPTION)

5. I tried as hard as I could to convince them to stay. (BEST)

7. I finally met her by chance. (ONLY)

2. His biggest fear is losing his sight. (WHAT)

4. The path was so slippery that we couldn’t carry on walking up the

5. Press that button and the lift will start. (MOMENT)

7. However hard I try, I can’t please the new supervisor. (AS)

9. He studied so hard to get his degree that he became ill. (EXPENSE)

13. I think I gained five kilos on that holiday. (PUT)

14. This is a bi-monthly magazine. (OUT)

15. His English seems to be improving. (ALONG)

16. Let’s continue with these corrections, shall we? (ON)

18. He’s determined to have a few days break. (AWAY)

19. She is no longer young, is she? (ON)

20. Where did you get this information? (BY)

3. She gets on well with all her students. (RELATIONSHIP)