Choose the best word or phrase to complete each sentence.

1. We need to _______ all the potential risks before making a decision.

a) take into account b) on account of c) by all accounts d) strike a balance
2. The project's success is still _______, as funding has not been secured yet.
a) upset the balance b) in the balance c) off balance d) beyond belief
3. _______ the heavy rain, the outdoor event was cancelled.
a) In conclusion b) On account of c) On the basis of d) Without a doubt
4. She made a _______ to remember his birthday for next year.
a) mental arithmetic b) mental note c) brainstorm d) brainwave
5. The new manager really _______ on the team with her innovative ideas.
a) did an impression b) created an impression c) cast doubt d) brought to mind
6. I'm _______ whether to accept the job offer or continue my studies.
a) in two minds b) off balance c) beyond my wildest dreams d) open to doubt
7. He's always coming up with brilliant ideas; he just had another _______.
a) brainchild b) brainwash c) brainwave d) brainstorm
8. It was a _______ that the experienced team would win the championship.
a) logical conclusion b) foregone conclusion c) jump to conclusions d) bring to a conclusion
9. Try to _______ your problems by thinking about all the good things in your life.
a) put into perspective b) from the perspective of c) in perspective d) out of perspective
10. Her argument was based _______ the latest research findings.
a) on a daily basis b) on the basis of c) in the balance d) by all accounts
11. The director decided to _______ the opinions of a small group of potential customers.
a) focus on b) focus group c) be in focus d) bring to mind
12. He had _______ his ability to finish the marathon.
a) beyond any doubt b) cast doubt on c) raise doubts about d) have your doubts about
13. She lives _______ a belief that everything happens for a reason.
a) contrary to popular belief b) beyond belief c) express belief d) in belief
14. I needed to _______ about setting up a new business, so I talked to an expert.
a) rack your brains b) pick sb's brains c) the brains behind d) brainstorm
15. Despite initial difficulties, they managed to _______ and achieve their goals.
a) upset the balance b) strike a balance c) alter the balance d) redress the balance
16. He couldn't __________ his failure in the exam.
17. A. account for B. take into account C. on account of D. give an account of
18. When planning the project, we need to __________ the potential risks.
19. A. take account of B. by all accounts C. on sb's account D. in the balance
20. The future of the company is still __________. We don't know if the merger will go through.
21. A. off balance B. in the balance C. strike a balance D. on balance
22. She firmly holds the __________ that honesty is the best policy. A. belief in B. belief that C. contrary to popular
belief D. beyond belief
23. The idea for the new marketing campaign was his latest __________. A. brainwash B. brainchild C. brainwave D.
brainless
24. After hours of discussion, they finally __________ to a conclusion. A. bring something B. jump C. came D.
forgone
25. The manager promised to __________ our suggestions during the next meeting.
26. A. give consideration to B. show consideration for C. leave out of consideration D. under consideration
27. Despite the strong evidence, some people still __________ his innocence. A. have doubts about B. cast doubt on
C. in doubt D. without a doubt
28. Winning the lottery was __________ for him. A. in your dreams B. beyond one's wildest dreams C. work like a
dream D. a dream
29. Her ability to stay calm under pressure is the __________ her success. A. focus of B. main focus C. primary focus
D. for
30. His aggressive behavior created a bad __________ on the new clients. A. impression that B. do an impression C.
make an impression D. under impression
31. I'm __________ about whether to take the job offer or not. A. cross my mind B. slip my mind C. in two minds D.
on my mind
32. The expert helped to __________ the complex issue for us. A. put into perspective B. from another perspective C.
out of perspective D. in perspective
33. The fact that he was at the crime scene __________ the question of his involvement. A. begs B. raises C. in D. out
of
34. It's important to __________ when things go wrong and look for solutions. A. make sense of B. come to your
senses C. see sense D. look on the bright side
35. It finally home to me that it was time to buy a place of my own.
A. arrived B. came C. hit D. reached
36. Well, it’s 7 p.m. I’d better hit the if I want to get home before it’s dark
A. roof B. headlines C. newspaper D. road
37. She’s the type who can’t sit on holiday and is always the move.
A. in B. on C. at D. by
38. She had never been to Prague before, and she in love with it straight away.
A. dropped B. fell C. tripped D. crashed
39. He didn’t speak a word of French when he first moved to France. He had to pick up the language from
. A. scratch B. start C. nought D. nil
40. Tamara has set her on becoming a ballet-dancer.
A. head B. feet C. brain D. heart
41. Why not buy the dress on then you can take it back if it doesn’t fit your mother?
A. agreement B. approval C. affirmation D. affection
42. We’re free most of the weekend, but we’ve got a few bits and to do on Sunday morning.
A. things B. stuff C. pieces D. ends
43. It was so exciting! I was on the of my seat! A. side B. edge C. end D. front
44. Insects and bugs .
A. make my skin run B. make my skin walk C. make my skin crawl D. make my skin march
45. There are about twenty so people waiting in the outer office.
A. but B. and C. or D. so
46. Whether or not you like some kinds of modern furniture is a matter of .
A. comparison B. taste C. favor D. vogue
47. Clare was her homework when her boyfriend called.
A. at the centre B. in between C. halfway through D. in the middle of
48. I’m starving! I could eat like a .
A. cow B. horse C. house D. pig
49. You must have your head in the if you think you’re going to succeed without hard work.
A. ground B. clouds C. sky D. air
50. How much longer do we have to wait? This is starting to get on my .
A. mind B. back C. nerves D. nose
51. “I’m to listen to your pathetic excuses,” she said.
 A. sick and tired B. having enough C. in no mood D. sick to death
52. The fact of the_that we have a government that will do what it wants to do for the next two years.
A. matter B. problem C. point D. situation
53. ! You deserved to win.
A. Unfair luck B. Nasty luck C. Hard luck D. Bad fortune
54. Mary wanted to give Nigel a present that was a little bit out of the .
A. normal B. ordinary C. average D. everyday
55. I know it’s early but I thought we ought to leave .
A. timely B. on time C. at the time D. in good time
56. The nearest town was 80 km away, I mean really in the middle of .
A. everywhere B. somewhere C. anywhere D. nowhere
57. I need to get some cash. Do you think we might pass a bank ?

A. in the way B. to the way C. on the way D. at the way

58. I couldn’t finish the exam because I was just too time.
A. run out of B. wasted C. spent D. short of
59. “Did you sleep well?” “Yeah, like a ”.
A. drunk B. log C. horse D. fish
LESSON 2
60. Phillips offered Joan a to cry on after her husband’s death.
A. shoulder B. arm C. hand D. leg
61. There were a few small villages , but no major city for miles around.
A. on and off B. here and there C. back and forth D. up and down
62. During the match, someone fire to the stadium.
A. opened B. put C. set D. caught
63. Several angry drivers shook their at me as I drove away
A. elbows B. arms C. hands D. fists
64. Each time I sneezed, everyone said: “ you!”
A. Cough B. Bless C. Cold D. Thank
65. I need an assistant - I’m up –o with work.
○ my eyes B. my ears C. here C. All are correct
66. Stop making that noise! You’re getting on my !
A. muscles B. brains C. nerves D. blood
67. I don’t have any cash just now. I’m .
A. flat broken B. flat broke C. no money D. less money
68. She’s won the lottery! She’s the moon!
A. across B. over C. along D. through
69. I know your name is Jim. When I called you Tim it was just a of
A. slip B. skid C. skim D. slight
70. After a six-year-relationship, Martha and Billy have decided to .
○ break the bank B turn the page C. make the grade D. tie the knot
71. If he thinks he’s capable of building a house on his own, he’s living .
A. in a fantasy world B. in the clouds C. on the moon D. in the sky
72. She may seem unapproachable when you first meet her, but the truth is she has a(n) _ of gold.
A. heart B. soul C. attitude D. feeling
73. On first coming to England, I fell in love with a girl who lived in the flat below mine.
 A. feet over hands B. elbow to toe C. foot in mouth D. head over heels
74. He’s such a ! Just when everyone is having a good time he starts moaning about being tired.
A. dry bone B. soft touch C. wet blanket D. drop kick
75. The suspect was seen with intent outside of the jewellery store.
A. lying B. loitering C. waiting D. standing
76. I could tell from her face that she was on the of bursting into tears.
A. limit B. edge C. verge D. border
77. “Did you enjoy the party?”. Well, kind . A. off B. of C. like D. or
78. Let’s settle this argument once and for .
A. all B. ever C. always D. once
79. I in love with her the first time, I saw her and we’ve just celebrated our 50th anniversary.
A. fell B. stumbled C. tripped D. tie the knot
80. “Can you tell me where Portsmouth Road is? “Sorry, I haven’t got a .”
A. idea B. faintest C. clue D. knowledge
81. I don’t want to listen to any more of your half- ideas. Come back when you have some
ideas that aren’t impractical and stupid.
A. mashed B. peeled C. rinsed D. baked
82. Students sometimes support themselves by of evening jobs.
A. efforts B. methods C. means D. ways
83. She’s a very person, so her friends often ask her for advice.
A. practiced B. basic C. earthy D. down-to-earth
84. You should take notice of warnings which state that guard dogs are on .
A. alert B. patrol C. defence D. watch