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Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, Foreign Phrases, One-word Substitution questions for IPMAT, with solutions

10 free Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, Foreign Phrases, One-word Substitution practice questions for IPMAT Indore, Rohtak and JIPMAT, 4 from past papers, each with the answer and a full worked solution. No sign-in. Try each one first, then open the solution. The lessons for this chapter are in Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, Foreign Phrases, One-word Substitution on Learn.

  1. Question 1Multiple choiceWritten by IPMATwayForeign words and phrases (JIPMAT)

    Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the foreign phrase in bold.

    Only bona fide students of the college may use the library.

    1. A.former
    2. B.genuine
    3. C.foreign
    4. D.senior
    Show the answer and solution

    Answer: B. genuine

    Answer: (B) genuine

    Meaning:

    • bona fide (Latin): genuine, real; in good faith

    Why (B) is right: Bona fide = genuine.

    Why the others are wrong:

    • (A) Not the meaning.
    • (C) Not the meaning.
    • (D) Not the meaning.
  2. Question 2Multiple choiceWritten by IPMATwayForeign words and phrases (JIPMAT)

    Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the foreign phrase in bold.

    The thief, Ramesh alias "Bunty", was arrested yesterday.

    1. A.also known as
    2. B.the son of
    3. C.the brother of
    4. D.formerly
    Show the answer and solution

    Answer: A. also known as

    Answer: (A) also known as

    Meaning:

    • alias (Latin): also known as; a false or second name

    Why (A) is right: Ramesh alias Bunty = Ramesh, also known as Bunty.

    Why the others are wrong:

    • (B) Not the meaning.
    • (C) Not the meaning.
    • (D) Not the meaning (that is "né/née" or "formerly").
  3. Question 3Multiple choiceAsked in IPMAT Indore 2022Meaning / usage of idioms

    Complete the sentence by choosing the most appropriate word/phrase from the options given below.

    Flying this simple aeroplane is a ______ for the experienced pilot.

    1. A.left-handed game
    2. B.piece of cake
    3. C.left-handed sport
    4. D.slice of cake
    Show the answer and solution

    Answer: B. piece of cake

    Answer: (B) piece of cake

    Completed:

    Flying this simple aeroplane is a piece of cake for the experienced pilot.

    Meaning:

    • a piece of cake: something very easy

    Why (B) is right: A simple plane for an experienced pilot is very easy: "a piece of cake".

    Why the others are wrong:

    • (A) Not an idiom.
    • (C) Not an idiom.
    • (D) Wrong word in a fixed idiom.
  4. Question 4Multiple choiceAsked in IPMAT Indore 2023Meaning / usage of idioms

    Complete the sentence by choosing the most appropriate word/phrase from the options given below.

    Some big shots know how to escape the law even after they violate it. It is, however, the ______ who are more often apprehended and punished.

    1. A.small fry
    2. B.tiny shots
    3. C.tiny fish
    4. D.small fish
    Show the answer and solution

    Answer: A. small fry

    Answer: (A) small fry

    Completed:

    Some big shots know how to escape the law even after they violate it. It is, however, the small fry who are more often apprehended and punished.

    Meaning:

    • small fry: unimportant people (as opposed to "big shots")

    Why (A) is right: Contrast with "big shots": the unimportant ones are "small fry".

    Why the others are wrong:

    • (B) Not an idiom.
    • (C) Not the fixed idiom.
    • (D) "Small fish" is close in meaning but "small fry" is the fixed idiom.
  5. Question 5Multiple choiceAsked in IPMAT Indore 2023Meaning / usage of idioms

    Complete the sentence by choosing the most appropriate word/phrase from the options given below.

    A few brands tailor their pants in such a way that it is easy for people with prosthetic legs to put them on. This is how they ______.

    1. A.go to the extra level
    2. B.go to the extreme level
    3. C.go the extra mile
    4. D.go the entire mile
    Show the answer and solution

    Answer: C. go the extra mile

    Answer: (C) go the extra mile

    Completed:

    A few brands tailor their pants in such a way that it is easy for people with prosthetic legs to put them on. This is how they go the extra mile.

    Meaning:

    • go the extra mile: make more effort than is expected

    Why (C) is right: Designing pants for people with prosthetic legs is extra effort: they "go the extra mile".

    Why the others are wrong:

    • (A) Not the fixed idiom.
    • (B) Not idiomatic.
    • (D) Not the fixed idiom.
  6. Question 6Multiple choiceWritten by IPMATwayOne-word substitution (Rohtak/JIPMAT)

    Choose the one word that can replace the description below.

    A person who cannot be corrected or reformed

    1. A.invincible
    2. B.indelible
    3. C.inevitable
    4. D.incorrigible
    Show the answer and solution

    Answer: D. incorrigible

    Answer: (D) incorrigible

    Meaning:

    • incorrigible: cannot be corrected

    Why (D) is right: Incorrigible = beyond correction.

    Why the others are wrong:

    • (A) Cannot be defeated.
    • (B) Cannot be erased.
    • (C) Cannot be avoided.
  7. Question 7Multiple choiceWritten by IPMATwayOne-word substitution (Rohtak/JIPMAT)

    Choose the one word that can replace the description below.

    A cure for all diseases or problems

    1. A.placebo
    2. B.panacea
    3. C.antidote
    4. D.anaesthetic
    Show the answer and solution

    Answer: B. panacea

    Answer: (B) panacea

    Meaning:

    • panacea: a remedy for all ills

    Why (B) is right: Panacea = cure-all.

    Why the others are wrong:

    • (A) A dummy pill.
    • (C) A cure for one poison.
    • (D) A drug that removes feeling or pain.
  8. Question 8Multiple choiceAsked in IPMAT Indore 2024Phrasal verbs

    Complete the sentence by choosing the most appropriate word/phrase from the options given below.

    The students’ picnic plans ______ when it started raining heavily in the morning.

    1. A.dropped out
    2. B.dropped off
    3. C.fell through
    4. D.fell behind
    Show the answer and solution

    Answer: C. fell through

    Answer: (C) fell through

    Completed:

    The students’ picnic plans fell through when it started raining heavily in the morning.

    Meaning:

    • fall through: (of a plan) fail to happen

    Why (C) is right: Rain cancelled the picnic: the plans "fell through".

    Why the others are wrong:

    • (A) "Drop out" = withdraw (of a person).
    • (B) "Drop off" = fall asleep, or decrease.
    • (D) "Fall behind" = fail to keep up.
  9. Question 9Multiple choiceWritten by IPMATwayPhrasal verbs

    Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the phrase in bold.

    The police promised to look into the complaint.

    1. A.ignore
    2. B.file away
    3. C.investigate
    4. D.read aloud
    Show the answer and solution

    Answer: C. investigate

    Answer: (C) investigate

    Meaning:

    • look into: investigate

    Why (C) is right: Look into = examine, investigate.

    Why the others are wrong:

    • (A) The opposite.
    • (B) Not the meaning.
    • (D) Literal "look".
  10. Question 10Multiple choiceWritten by IPMATwayPhrasal verbs

    Complete the sentence by choosing the most appropriate word/phrase from the options given below.

    The scientists ______ the experiment three times to check their results.

    1. A.carried off
    2. B.carried away
    3. C.carried out
    4. D.carried over
    Show the answer and solution

    Answer: C. carried out

    Answer: (C) carried out

    Completed:

    The scientists carried out the experiment three times to check their results.

    Meaning:

    • carry out: perform, conduct

    Why (C) is right: Performing an experiment = "carried out".

    Why the others are wrong:

    • (A) "Carry off" = win (a prize) or take away.
    • (B) "Be carried away" = get too excited.
    • (D) "Carry over" = move to a later time.