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English I · Phrasal verbs & idioms

BSHS1001 · 32 questions · 37 marks · 8 papers

Answer key

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

BS Degree Programme · Examination & Study Paper

BSHS1001 · English I

Phrasal verbs & idioms

Official Paper

Examination Instructions & Guidelines

Solve on notebook/paper first before checking solutions.
MCQ: Exactly 1 option is correct. Negative marking applies.
Scientific calculator allowed for all calculations.
Official answer key is sealed at the end of this sheet.

Quiz 1 · 26 Oct 2025 (AN)Quiz 1

Read the passage below, then answer Q1–Q5
Fill in the blanks in List A using appropriate idioms from List B
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Q1MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 10 times Key ↓
“Kathy Stevens.” Does the name _____?
1. AThrew in the towel
2. BFace the music
3. CThrough thick and thin
4. DRing a bell
5. EBlow off some steam
Q2MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 10 times Key ↓
For several years, he was trying unsuccessfully to emigrate to the UAE, but eventually he _____.
1. AThrew in the towel
2. BFace the music
3. CThrough thick and thin
4. DRing a bell
5. EBlow off some steam
Q3MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 10 times Key ↓
After a long day, he goes cycling to _____.
1. AThrew in the towel
2. BFace the music
3. CThrough thick and thin
4. DRing a bell
5. EBlow off some steam
Q4MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 10 times Key ↓
She has suffered a great deal of personal loss, but her husband stayed with her _____.
1. AThrew in the towel
2. BFace the music
3. CThrough thick and thin
4. DRing a bell
5. EBlow off some steam
Q5MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 10 times Key ↓
Make sure that you have sufficient attendance in your courses, or you will have to _____.
1. AThrew in the towel
2. BFace the music
3. CThrough thick and thin
4. DRing a bell
5. EBlow off some steam
Q6MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 7 times Key ↓
Replace the bold word in the sentence with one of the phrasal verbs given below to convey the same meaning. He promised to contribute towards the fund but later withdrew.
1. ABacked out
2. BBacked on
3. CBacked away
4. DBacked off
Q7MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 4 times Key ↓
“Run into” is an example of an inseparable phrasal verb.
1. ATRUE
2. BFALSE
Q8MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 7 times Key ↓
Fill in the blank with the most suitable phrasal verb. The old man _____ his beliefs.
1. AHeld up
2. BHeld onto
3. CHeld off
4. DHeld out

End Term · 31 Aug 2025 (FN)End Term

Read the passage below, then answer Q9–Q13
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Q9MCQ2 Marks·Choose one option
Asked 10 times Key ↓
The diamond necklace cost her _____.
1. AHis cup of tea
2. BLived from hand to mouth
3. CAn arm and a leg
4. DGive him a run for his money
5. EFind his feet
Q10MCQ2 Marks·Choose one option
Asked 10 times Key ↓
He is by no means a bad player, but his opponent would no doubt _____.
1. AHis cup of tea
2. BLived from hand to mouth
3. CAn arm and a leg
4. DGive him a run for his money
5. EFind his feet
Q11MCQ2 Marks·Choose one option
Asked 10 times Key ↓
Mathematics really is not _____, is it?
1. AHis cup of tea
2. BLived from hand to mouth
3. CAn arm and a leg
4. DGive him a run for his money
5. EFind his feet
Q12MCQ2 Marks·Choose one option
Asked 10 times Key ↓
It takes him a few months to _____ in a new town.
1. AHis cup of tea
2. BLived from hand to mouth
3. CAn arm and a leg
4. DGive him a run for his money
5. EFind his feet
Q13MCQ2 Marks·Choose one option
Asked 10 times Key ↓
The poor woodcutter’s family _____.
1. AHis cup of tea
2. BLived from hand to mouth
3. CAn arm and a leg
4. DGive him a run for his money
5. EFind his feet
Q14MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 7 times Key ↓
Fill in the blank with the most suitable phrasal verb. The old man _____ his beliefs.
1. AHeld up
2. BHeld onto
3. CHeld off
4. DHeld out

End Term · 13 Apr 2025 (AN)End Term

Q15MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 7 times Key ↓
Fill in the blank with the most suitable phrasal verb. The king’s army _____ the aggressors.
1. APut on
2. BLet on
3. CNodded off
4. DHeld off
Q16MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 3 times Key ↓
Fill in the blank with the most appropriate phrase/idiom corresponding to the meaning provided. The project was a bit _____. Intended meaning: Too good for someone/something or not at a comparable level with someone/something.
1. AOf a hot potato
2. BOf a piece of cake
3. COut of my league
4. DOf a dog and pony show
Q17MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 3 times Key ↓
Fill in the blank with the most appropriate phrase/idiom corresponding to the meaning provided. There was a trial, but he was _____. Intended meaning: To not be guilty of a charge.
1. ABiting the bullet
2. BIn the clear
3. CBelling the cat
4. DWorth his salt

End Term · 22 Dec 2024 (AN)End Term

Q18MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 7 times Key ↓
Fill in the blank with the most suitable phrasal verb. The culprit, overwhelmed by guilt, _____ in front of the jury.
1. ABroke down
2. BBroke apart
3. CBroke up
4. DBroke out
Q19MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 3 times Key ↓
Fill in the blank with the most appropriate phrase/idiom corresponding to the meaning provided. He disliked having to confront his father, but he knew that he would just have to _____. Intended meaning: To force yourself to do something difficult or unpleasant and face the consequences, or to be brave in a difficult situation.
1. ABeat a dead horse
2. BMiss the boat
3. CBite the bullet
4. DZip his lip

Qualifier · May 2024Qualifier

Q20MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 6 times Key ↓
A colleague in your office tells you, ‘Please keep me in the loop while I’m on my vacation.’ What does the underlined part mean?
1. AThe colleague wants you not to disturb them.
2. BThe colleague wants you to call them.
3. CThe colleague wants you to keep them updated on events at work.
4. DThe colleague wants you to call them for your wedding.
Q21MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 4 times Key ↓
Identify the separable phrasal verb out of the following options.
1. AHit on
2. BKeep at
3. CStand for
4. DCall by
Q22MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 7 times Key ↓
Fill in the blank with the appropriate option. The meeting __________ just before dinner.
1. ABrought out
2. BBroke up
3. CBroke into
4. DBroke out

Qualifier · January 2024Qualifier

Q23MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 6 times Key ↓
‘The new iPhone seems to cost everyone not just an arm and a leg, but also a kidney.’ What does ‘to cost an arm and a leg’ mean?
1. ATo be very expensive
2. BTo be very short-lived
3. CTo be very cheap
4. DTo be afraid of surgery
Q24MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 4 times Key ↓
Identify the separable phrasal verb out of the following options.
1. ALive on
2. BSee about
3. CTake after
4. DSum up
Q25MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 7 times Key ↓
Fill in the blank with the appropriate option. The kids were well __________.
1. AGot off
2. BGave up
3. CBrought up
4. DPick up

Qualifier · September 2023Qualifier

Q26MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 2 times Key ↓
Select true or false for the following statement. The phrasal verb ‘lay off (something)’ means to ‘to stop doing something.’
1. ATrue
2. BFalse
Q27MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 6 times Key ↓
Consider the following sentence: The party was a little slow at first but Kate broke the ice by offering everyone wine and beer. The phrase ‘broke the ice’ means ___.
1. ATo remove the tension at a first meeting
2. BTo tell the truth about something that was kept a secret
Q28MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 6 times Key ↓
The phrase ‘to get out of hand’ means ___________.
1. ATo become difficult to control
2. BTo calm down

Qualifier · May 2023Qualifier

Q29MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 4 times Key ↓
Identify the underlined part of the sentence. I came across some old books while tidying my room.
1. ASeparable phrasal verb
2. BIn-separable phrasal verb
Q30MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 2 times Key ↓
Fill in the blank with the appropriate option. The meaning of the phrasal verb ‘wait on’ is _____________.
1. ATo return a phone call
2. BTo save money
3. CTo serve somebody
4. DTo communicate successfully
Q31MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 6 times Key ↓
Pick the right meaning of the following idiom: A dark horse
1. AA person who is slightly eccentric
2. BA person who seems to be stupid
3. CAn unexpected winner
Q32MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 6 times Key ↓
Select true or false for the following statement: The idiom ‘cut corners’ means ‘to do something in the fastest and the cheapest way’.
1. ATRUE
2. BFALSE

Official Key

Master Answer Key & Explanations

Official answer keys from IIT Madras BS past papers. Click any question to review.

Reveal Key

Q1D

Q2A

Q3E

Q4C

Q5B

Q6A

Q7A

Q8B

Q9C

Q10D

Q11A

Q12E

Q13B

Q14B

Q15D

Q16C

Q17B

Q18A

Q19C

Q20C

Q21D

Q22B

Q23A

Q24D

Q25C

Q26A

Q27A

Q28A

Q29B

Q30C

Q31C

Q32A

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