CPE Idiomatic Expressions and Phrasal Verbs 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the phrasal verb 'look into' mean?
- To physically gaze inside a container or box
- To investigate or examine something more closely (Correct answer)
- To overlook or disregard a problem entirely
- To concentrate on minor visual details
Correct answer: To investigate or examine something more closely
'Look into' means to investigate or examine a matter, often used in professional or academic contexts.
Question 2: Which sentence correctly uses the idiom 'to burn the midnight oil'?
- He left the lamp burning all night as a safety precaution.
- The factory workers heated crude oil throughout the night.
- She burned the midnight oil to finish her dissertation before the deadline. (Correct answer)
- They used expensive fuel for their late-night road journey.
Correct answer: She burned the midnight oil to finish her dissertation before the deadline.
'Burn the midnight oil' means to work late into the night, as correctly illustrated in C with someone finishing a dissertation.
Question 3: What does the phrasal verb 'fall through' mean?
- To physically collapse or fall onto a lower surface
- To fail to happen or be completed as planned (Correct answer)
- To descend rapidly from a considerable height
- To pass through a narrow or small opening
Correct answer: To fail to happen or be completed as planned
'Fall through' means that a plan, deal, or arrangement fails to be completed or realized.
Question 4: The idiom 'to hit the nail on the head' means:
- To describe or identify something with complete accuracy (Correct answer)
- To successfully complete a carpentry or woodworking task
- To strike someone or something with significant force
- To finish a task much more quickly than anticipated
Correct answer: To describe or identify something with complete accuracy
'Hit the nail on the head' means to describe or identify exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
Question 5: Which option correctly completes the sentence: 'After years of struggling, the business finally _____ its competitors.'?
- pulled ahead of (Correct answer)
- pulled off of
- pulled down on
- pulled through on
Correct answer: pulled ahead of
'Pull ahead of' means to move into a leading position, making it the correct choice for surpassing competitors.
Question 6: What does the idiom 'to be on the fence' mean?
- To be in a physically precarious or dangerous position
- To be undecided or neutral about an issue (Correct answer)
- To be overly protective or territorial about one's property
- To be engaged in an ongoing dispute with neighbors
Correct answer: To be undecided or neutral about an issue
'On the fence' means being undecided or uncommitted, unable to choose one side of an argument or issue.
Question 7: In which sentence is 'carry out' used correctly to mean 'to perform or complete an action'?
- The waiter carried out the dishes to the waiting customers.
- The team carried out extensive research before publishing their findings. (Correct answer)
- She carried out her groceries from the store to her car.
- He carried out his younger sister when she fell asleep on the sofa.
Correct answer: The team carried out extensive research before publishing their findings.
'Carry out' meaning to execute or perform is correctly used in B, where research is conducted and completed.
CPE Idiomatic Expressions and Phrasal Verbs 2
What does the phrasal verb 'look into' mean?