Lexico MQs

Question 1:

The new soap opera on Channel 3. ________ new depths in terms of tastelessness.

A. fill B. reaches C. plumbs D. achieves

✅ Answer: C. plumbs

🔍 Giải thích:

plumb new depths (idiom): to reach an extreme or the worst level of something, especially something bad.→ nghĩa là "chạm đáy" / "tệ hại chưa từng thấy".

📌 Đây là một idiom dùng nhiều trong văn học và báo chí.

→ "The show plumbs new depths in tastelessness": bộ phim chạm đến mức tồi tệ chưa từng thấy.

❌ Các đáp án sai:

A. fill → không phù hợp ngữ pháp & ngữ nghĩa.

B. reaches → thiếu sắc thái idiomatic, không lột tả "sự tệ hại vượt mức".

D. achieves → mang nghĩa tích cực, không phù hợp khi nói về "tastelessness".

Question 2:

Somebody as conceited as Ron needs bringing down a _________ or two.

A. step B. notch C. rung D. peg

Answer: D. peg

🔍 Giải thích:

📌 Cụm "bring someone down a peg or two" là một idiom rất thông dụng, có nghĩa:

"làm ai đó bớt tự cao, kiêu ngạo"→ khiến ai đó khiêm tốn lại bằng cách hạ bệ / vạch mặt họ.

"Peg" ở đây là chốt gỗ dùng để treo áo, tượng trưng cho "mức độ" hoặc "vị trí xã hội".

→ Ron is conceited → cần bị "brought down a peg or two" = phải bớt tự mãn.

❌ Tại sao các đáp án khác sai?

A. step: không dùng trong idiom này.

B. notch: thường đi với "up a notch" (nâng cao), không phù hợp ngữ cảnh này.

C. rung: dùng trong "rung of the ladder" (bậc thang), không phù hợp idiom.

Question 3

I have no appetite and I am lethargic. I've been feeling under ________ for ages.

A. pair B. threat C. stress D. par

Đáp án: D. par

🔍 Giải thích:

Under par: idiom → cảm thấy không khỏe, kém phong độ

I've been feeling under par = Tôi thấy không ổn (mệt, yếu, không tỉnh táo...)

→ Câu nói diễn tả một người không muốn ăn + mệt mỏi (lethargic) → phù hợp hoàn toàn với "under par".

❌ Sai:

A. pair → không có idiom "under pair"

B. threat → mang nghĩa bị đe dọa, không phù hợp

C. stress → không diễn tả đầy đủ, vì câu nói không nêu cảm giác "lo lắng"

Question 4

Victoria went to great ______ to complete a high quality presentation.

A. efforts B. torment C. pains D. difficulty

Đáp án: C. pains

🔍 Giải thích:

Go to great pains to do sth = cố gắng rất nhiều để làm gì đó→ Idiom mang sắc thái học thuật, nghĩa gần: make a great effort

She went to great pains to ensure accuracy.

❌ Sai:

A. efforts: đúng nghĩa nhưng không đi với cấu trúc "went to great ___"

B. torment: nỗi đau khổ (không hợp ngữ cảnh)

D. difficulty: không dùng với "go to great ___"

Question 5

Frank was informed at the _______ that the assignment would be no easy matter. A. offset B. upset C. reset D. outset

Đáp án: D. outset

🔍 Giải thích:

At the outset = at the beginning → ngay từ đầu

At the outset of the project, we anticipated challenges.

❌ Sai:

A. offset = bù trừ, không phù hợp

B. upset = tình huống rối loạn

C. reset = khởi động lại (thường dùng với máy móc)

Question 6

The school playing fields are out of _______ while equipment is being set up for the cricket match.

A. bounds B. brim C. verge D. border

Đáp án: A. bounds

🔍 Giải thích:

Out of bounds = bị cấm vào, ngoài phạm vi cho phép

thường dùng cho khu vực thể thao hoặc cấm tiếp cận

This area is out of bounds to students.

❌ Sai:

B. brim = vành nón, bát...

C. verge = mép (đường/lề), không phù hợp

D. border = biên giới (quốc gia)

Question 7

Isn't packing three suitcases for a weekend away going a bit _______?

A. overload B. overhead C. overboard D. overskill

Đáp án: C. overboard

🔍 Giải thích:

Go overboard (idiom) = làm quá mức, thái quá

She went overboard with the decorations.→ 3 vali cho 2 ngày = quá mức → đúng ngữ nghĩa

❌ Sai:

A. overload = quá tải (dùng với hệ thống, xe, não...)

B. overhead = chi phí cố định

D. overskill = không tồn tại

Question 8

- How often do you visit your parents?- _______ so often, even though they live some distance away.

A. Even B. Ever C. Every D. Never

Đáp án: C. Every

🔍 Giải thích:

"Every so often" = thỉnh thoảng, đôi lúc

I go running every so often. → đúng về nghĩa & văn phong

❌ Sai:

Even so often: không tồn tại

Ever so often: cấu trúc sai

Never so often: không mang nghĩa "thỉnh thoảng"

Question 9

"Do you think I should ask Andy?""I'm sure he'll be only ______ willing to help you with the project."

A. just B. too C. that D. so

Đáp án: B. too

🔍 Giải thích:

only too willing = very willing (rất sẵn lòng)

He was only too happy to help. → cấu trúc đúng idiom, văn nói cao cấp

❌ Sai:

A, C, D: không hình thành cụm nghĩa đầy đủ

Question 10

The professor looked as if he were ______ away in a world of his own.

A. yards B. kilometres C. streets D. miles

Đáp án: D. miles

🔍 Giải thích:

miles away (idiom): tâm trí lơ đễnh, mơ màng

You looked miles away - what were you thinking about?

❌ Các từ khác không đi với cấu trúc này

Question 11

I think you ______ a nerve when you mentioned Ralph's forthcoming retirement.

A. met B. had C. drilled D. hit

Đáp án: D. hit

🔍 Giải thích:

hit a nerve = chạm đến vấn đề nhạy cảm

Her comment really hit a nerve.

Question 12

Enjoy your "Sunwoy" cruise, safe in the _______ that everything has been taken care of.

A. awareness B. recognition C. knowledge D. fact

Đáp án: C. knowledge

🔍 Giải thích:

Safe in the knowledge (that...) = yên tâm vì biết rằng

She went into surgery safe in the knowledge that she was in good hands.

Question 13

Were you on the ______ when you said you had resigned from work?

A. wagon B. flat C. level D. town

Đáp án: C. level

🔍 Giải thích:

on the level = nói thật, thật lòng

I thought he was on the level when he said he quit.

Question 14

Judging from the noise it is making, the washing machine is on its last ______.4

A. gasp B. legs C. resort D. breath

Đáp án: B. legs

🔍 Giải thích:

on its last legs = sắp hỏng, sắp hết "tuổi thọ" (dùng cho máy móc hoặc người già)

My laptop is on its last legs.

Question 15

The optician says you have to wear glasses, like it or ______ it.

A. jump B. loathe C. dislike D. lump

Đáp án: D. lump

🔍 Giải thích:

Like it or lump it (idiom) = Dù thích hay không, bạn vẫn phải chấp nhận

You'll have to share a room - like it or lump it!

❌ Các từ còn lại không tạo thành idiom đúng

Question 16

Sally was laying it on ______ when she said that Tom was the best singer she had ever heard.

A. fine B. broad C. thin . thick

Đáp án: D. thick

🔍 Giải thích:

Lay it on thick = khen/ca ngợi quá mức, nịnh nọt

He laid it on thick about how great my cooking was

Question 17

His friends and family left him in the ______ when he went bankrupt.

A. church B. lurch C. end D. street

Đáp án: B. lurch

🔍 Giải thích:

Leave someone in the lurch = bỏ rơi ai lúc họ cần giúp đỡ nhất

She was left in the lurch by her business partner

Question 18

I'll reserve ________ on Ben Shipley's latest novel until I've read it.

A. condemnation B. thought C. judgement D. criticism

🔍 Giải thích:

Reserve judgment = chưa đưa ra đánh giá vội, chờ thêm thông tin

Let's reserve judgment until we see the full proposal.

Question 19

You will be putting your life on the ________ if you take up skydiving.

A. line B. way C. lane D. ground

Đáp án: A. line

🔍 Giải thích:

Put your life on the line = liều mạng, mạo hiểm tính mạng

Firefighters put their lives on the line every day.

Question 20

After making several bad business deals, the company was losing money hand over ________.

A. finger B. wrist C. fist D. thumb

Đáp án: C. fist

🔍 Giải thích:

Lose/gain money hand over fist = rất nhanh, với tốc độ lớn

The firm was losing money hand over fist during the crisis.

Question 21

For busy people in today's society, lifestyle management is gaining _____.

A. points B. speed C. terrain D. ground

Đáp án: D. ground

🔍 Giải thích:

Gain ground = trở nên phổ biến, được chấp nhận rộng rãi

The idea of remote work is gaining ground rapidly.

Question 22

The two suspects were _______ released due to lack of evidence.

A. duly B. truly C. rightfully D. righteously

Đáp án: A. duly

🔍 Giải thích:

duly = đúng lúc, hợp lý, theo đúng quy trình (often formal/legal English)

He was duly elected president.→ "Duly released" = được thả hợp pháp, theo thủ tục

❌ Sai:

truly = chân thật → không phù hợp

rightfully = hợp pháp nhưng không thường dùng với "released"

righteously = đạo đức, có ton giao

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💡 Phrases & Collocations:

Phrase	Meaning
Duly noted	Acknowledged with understanding or formality
Duly elected	Chosen in a proper legal or procedural way
Duly recognised	Appropriately acknowledged
Duly considered	Thought through in a legitimate, fair process

Question 23

He broke the vase and had the cheek to put the blame on me!

Đáp án đúng: D. cheek

🔍 Giải thích:

have the cheek to do sth = cả gan, vô liêm sỉ làm gì đó

He had the cheek to ask for more money after being late!

❌ Các đáp án khác không có trong câu (giả định là D là đúng vì đây là cụm cố định)

Question 24

The minister was forced to take the ______ for his department's failures.

A. hit B. blame C. responsibility D. fall

Đáp án: D. fall

🔍 Giải thích:

take the fall (for sth) = nhận lỗi hoặc bị đổ lỗi thay người khác

He took the fall for the scandal to protect his boss.

Question 25

The millionaire left all his money to his dogs, cutting his children out of his ______.

A. inheritance B. will C. fortune D. legacy

Đáp án: B. will

🔍 Giải thích:

will = di chúc→ Cut someone out of your will = không để tài sản lại cho ai trong di chúc

Question 26

It's difficult to know what to do. I'm in a bit of a ______.

A. twist B. pickle C. soup D. jam

Đáp án: B. pickle

🔍 Giải thích:

in a pickle = gặp rắc rối, lúng túng

I forgot my speech - I'm in a real pickle.

Question 27

I can't stop thinking about it. It's been on my ______ all day.

A. brain B. head C. nerves D. mind

Đáp án: D. mind

🔍 Giải thích:

on my mind = đang suy nghĩ về chuyện gì đó

Exams are constantly on my mind this week

Question 28

He doesn't like people. He tends to keep himself to ______.

A. alone B. him C. himself D. private

Đáp án: C. himself

🔍 Giải thích:

keep to oneself = sống khép kín, không hòa nhập

She keeps to herself and rarely talks to colleagues.

Question 29

When I told him the news, he was as pleased as ______.

A. fruit B. punch C. cake D. joy

Đáp án: B. punch

🔍 Giải thích:

as pleased as punch = rất vui sướng

He was as pleased as punch when he got the scholarship.

❌ Các lựa chọn khác không hình thành idiom

Question 30

Tom is in your bad ______ because he borrowed your bike without asking.

A. minds B. books C. tempers D. sides

Đáp án: B. books

🔍 Giải thích:

in someone's bad books = bị ai đó ghét hoặc không hài lòng

She's in the teacher's bad books for cheating.

Question 31

Their project was successful, but it was touch and ______.

A. reach B. run C. go D. pass

Đáp án: C. go

🔍 Giải thích:

touch and go = đầy bất trắc, suýt thất bại

The surgery was touch and go, but he made it.

Question 32

The coach was furious and tore a ______ off the team after the loss.

A. crack B. rag C. strip D. piece

Đáp án: C. strip

🔍 Giải thích:

tear a strip off sb = mắng xối xả

The manager tore a strip off the staff for being late.

Question 33

Everything happened so quickly - it was over in a ______.

A. split second B. flash second C. fast minute D. snap moment

Đáp án: A. split second

🔍 Giải thích:

in a split second = rất nhanh, chớp mắt là xong

He disappeared in a split second.

Question 34

If she had studied harder, she would have passed the exam. It's a ______ cry from what actually happened.

A. cold B. loud C. far D. deep

Đáp án: C. far

🔍 Giải thích:

a far cry from = rất khác so với..., khác xa

The hotel was a far cry from what we expected.

Question 35

The witness said he saw the robbers make a clean ______ through the back door.

A. slide B. go C. jump D. getaway

Đáp án: D. getaway

🔍 Giải thích:

make a clean getaway = trốn thoát thành công không để lại dấu vết

The thieves made a clean getaway before the police arrived.

Question 36

We had to pay through the ______ to get the car fixed.

A. eyes B. nose C. mouth D. ears

Đáp án: B. nose

🔍 Giải thích:

pay through the nose = trả giá rất đắt, thường là quá mức hợp lý

We paid through the nose for that dinner.

Question 37

I didn't get the job - I was beaten to the ______ by someone with more experience.

A. chase B. track C. post D. punch

Đáp án: C. post

🔍 Giải thích:

be beaten to the post = bị người khác cướp mất cơ hội vào phút chót

She was beaten to the post by a younger rival.

Question 38

We were kept in the ______ about the merger until it was officially announced.

A. black B. dark C. shade D. grey

Đáp án: B. dark

🔍 Giải thích:

keep sb in the dark = không cho ai biết điều gì, giữ bí mật

The staff were kept in the dark about the layoffs.

Question 39

I was thrown in at the ______ when I started managing a team without any training.

A. deep end B. hard way C. hot seat D. high point

Đáp án: A. deep end

🔍 Giải thích:

thrown in at the deep end = bị đẩy vào tình huống khó mà không được chuẩn bị trước

She was thrown in at the deep end on her first day at work.

Question 40

Everything was going fine, then suddenly she threw a ______ into the works.

A. stone B. spanner C. screw D. hammer

Đáp án: B. spanner

🔍 Giải thích:

throw a spanner in the works = phá rối, làm hỏng kế hoạch

His resignation threw a spanner in the works.

Question 41

He was arrested for driving under the ______.

A. drug B. effect C. wheel D. influence

Đáp án: D. influence

🔍 Giải thích:

driving under the influence (DUI) = lái xe khi say rượu hoặc dùng chất kích thích

He was fined for driving under the influence.

Question 42

They're just playing devil's ______ - they don't really believe that.

A. voice B. deal C. question D. advocate

Đáp án: D. advocate

🔍 Giải thích:

play devil's advocate = cố tình đưa ra ý kiến trái chiều để tranh luận/kiểm chứng

Let me play devil's advocate for a moment...

Question 43

He never really recovered - the loss of his job took the wind out of his ______.

A. lungs B. sails C. chest D. hands

Đáp án: B. sails

🔍 Giải thích:

take the wind out of someone's sails = làm ai đó mất tinh thần, hụt hẫng

Losing that opportunity really took the wind out of his sails.

Question 44

I was so embarrassed. I just wanted the ground to ______ me up.

A. fall B. pull C. swallow D. take

Đáp án: C. swallow

🔍 Giải thích:

want the ground to swallow (you) up = muốn "biến mất", cực kỳ xấu hổ

When I saw the mistake, I wanted the ground to swallow me up.

Question 45

You'd better be careful - you're skating on thin ______.

A. ice B. nerves C. lines D. glass

Đáp án: A. ice

🔍 Giải thích:

skating on thin ice = đang làm điều nguy hiểm, dễ gây rắc rối

You're skating on thin ice by lying to your boss.

Question 46

He didn't get the job because he rubbed the manager up the wrong ______.

A. place B. line C. way D. person

Đáp án: C. way

🔍 Giải thích:

rub sb up the wrong way = vô tình khiến ai khó chịu

His arrogant tone really rubbed me up the wrong way.

Question 47

There's no need to make a mountain out of a ______.

A. rock B. hill C. molehill D. ditch

Đáp án: C. molehill

🔍 Giải thích:

make a mountain out of a molehill = làm lớn chuyện từ chuyện nhỏ

It was a minor error - don't make a mountain out of a molehill!

Question 48

It was just a friendly discussion - don't fly off the ______.

A. edge B. wall C. end D. handle

Đáp án: D. handle

🔍 Giải thích:

fly off the handle = mất bình tĩnh, nổi giận đột ngột

She flew off the handle when I suggested she was wrong.

Question 49

Don't worry - I'll keep an eye ______ your suitcase while you go to the toilet.

A. at B. in C. on D. for

Đáp án: C. on

🔍 Giải thích:

keep an eye on sth/sb = trông chừng, quan sát kỹ

Can you keep an eye on my bag?

Question 50

We always split the bill down the ______ when we go out for dinner.

A. middle B. center C. line D. half

Đáp án: A. middle

🔍 Giải thích:

split (sth) down the middle = chia đôi đều nhau (50-50)

They split the inheritance down the middle.

Question 51

I can't believe you bought that car without thinking - talk about jumping in at the deep ______!

A. end B. pool C. zone D. side

Đáp án: A. end

Câu này lặp lại idiom "jump in at the deep end" = bắt đầu làm gì đó khó khăn mà không chuẩn bịHe started managing a team on day one - straight into the deep end.

Question 52

He's always been the black ______ of the family.

A. cow B. goat C. sheep D. cat

Đáp án: C. sheep

🔍 Giải thích:

black sheep (of the family) = đứa con "khác biệt / gây rối", không giống các thành viên khác

He's the black sheep - everyone else is a lawyer, but he paints graffiti.

Question 53

I think you've hit the ______ on the head - that's exactly what's going on!

A. idea B. spot C. nail D. truth

Đáp án: C. nail

🔍 Giải thích:

hit the nail on the head = nói chính xác bản chất vấn đề

Her comment hit the nail on the head.

Question 54

They accepted the offer hook, line and ______.

A. sink B. sinker C. anchor D. rod

Đáp án: B. sinker

🔍 Giải thích:

hook, line and sinker = tin toàn bộ không nghi ngờ

He fell for the scam hook, line and sinker.

Question 55

I'm afraid I can't come tonight - I'm snowed ______ with work.

A. off B. out C. under D. away

Đáp án: C. under

🔍 Giải thích:

snowed under (with) = bận ngập đầu

I'm snowed under with assignments.

Question 56

He's very good at picking ______ holes in everything I say.

A. in B. up C. out D. through

Đáp án: A. in

🔍 Giải thích:

pick holes in sth = soi mói, tìm lỗi sai trong lập luận

The reviewer picked holes in the methodology.

Question 57

I tried to explain the situation, but he just flew off the ______.

A. edge B. top C. wall D. handle

Đáp án: D. handle

🔍 Giải thích:

fly off the handle = mất bình tĩnh, nổi giận bất ngờ

She flew off the handle when she saw the mess.(Đã gặp ở câu trước, nhưng đề có thể lặp)

Question 58

We need someone to keep a cool ______ in times of crisis.

A. mood B. heart C. nerve D. head

Đáp án: D. head

🔍 Giải thích:

keep a cool head = giữ bình tĩnh, không bị cảm xúc chi phối

Good leaders keep a cool head under pressure.

Question 59

He finally cracked after being grilled for five hours - he spilled the ______.

A. truth B. tea C. soup D. beans

Đáp án: D. beans

🔍 Giải thích:

spill the beans = để lộ bí mật

He accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party.

Question 60

They're very close - they always see eye to ______.

A. mouth B. thought C. view D. eye

Đáp án: D. eye

🔍 Giải thích:

see eye to eye (with sb) = đồng tình, hòa hợp quan điểm

We see eye to eye on most issues.

Question 61

I didn't want to go out, but she twisted my ______.

A. neck B. arm C. hand D. back

Đáp án: B. arm

🔍 Giải thích:

twist someone's arm = thuyết phục ai đó (thường không muốn ban đầu)

He didn't want to come, but I twisted his arm

Question 62

We'll have to play it by ______ until we know what's going on.

A. heart B. hand C. ear D. mind

Đáp án: C. ear

🔍 Giải thích:

play it by ear = tùy cơ ứng biến, không lên kế hoạch sẵn

We don't have a plan - we'll just play it by ear.

Question 63

She was walking on ______ after getting the scholarship.

A. water B. sky C. stars D. air

Đáp án: D. air

🔍 Giải thích:

walking on air = cực kỳ hạnh phúc, như bay

He's been walking on air since the wedding

Question 64

It's best not to rock the ______ when everyone is trying to get along.

A. wall B. boat C. plan D. line

Đáp án: B. boat

🔍 Giải thích:

rock the boat = gây xáo trộn, làm mọi thứ rối lên khi mọi người đang cố giữ ổn định

Don't rock the boat - things are finally going well.

Question 65

He's a bit of a loose ______ - we never know what he's going to say next.

A. screw B. end C. cannon D. bullet

Đáp án: C. cannon

🔍 Giải thích:

a loose cannon = người khó kiểm soát, dễ gây rắc rối vì hành xử bất ngờ

He's a loose cannon - he might say something inappropriate.

Question 66

She's the spitting ______ of her grandmother.

A. mirror B. twin C. face D. image

Đáp án: D. image

🔍 Giải thích:

spitting image (of someone) = giống hệt ai đó (về vẻ ngoài)

She's the spitting image of her mother.

Question 67

He's got a chip on his ______ about not having gone to university.

A. mind B. hand C. shoulder D. chest

Đáp án: C. shoulder

🔍 Giải thích:

have a chip on your shoulder = mang tâm lý mặc cảm / tức giận vì điều gì trong quá khứ

He's always angry - like he has a chip on his shoulder.

Question 68

It's not rocket ______ - anyone can learn it.

A. physics B. chemistry C. math D. science

Đáp án: D. science

🔍 Giải thích:

It's not rocket science = không quá khó / ai cũng có thể hiểu

Come on, it's not rocket science - just follow the instructions!

Question 69

She's just trying to blow off some ______ after the stressful week.

A. work B. pressure C. steam D. noise

Đáp án: C. steam

🔍 Giải thích:

blow off steam = xả stress, giải tỏa cảm xúc

He goes jogging to blow off steam after work.

Question 70

You really let the ______ out of the bag when you mentioned the surprise party.

A. rabbit B. secret C. word D. cat

Đáp án: D. cat

🔍 Giải thích:

let the cat out of the bag = vô tình để lộ bí mật

I accidentally let the cat out of the bag about her gift.