Topic

HSC English Grammar

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Quizzes in HSC English Grammar

Choose the correct meaning of Bite the hand that feeds you.

  • To become no longer popular or common
  • In a less favorable or weaker position
  • A loud public protest or strong complaint
  • To harm or criticize someone who helps or supports you
Correct answer(s):
  • To harm or criticize someone who helps or supports you

In English grammar, how should Blow the lid off be understood?

  • To expose a hidden scandal, secret, or truth
  • To demand an explanation or hold someone responsible
  • So honest or respectable that no one is likely to suspect wrongdoing
  • Something done only to achieve a larger purpose
Correct answer(s):
  • To expose a hidden scandal, secret, or truth

Which option gives the closest meaning of Break ranks?

  • To stop supporting a group and act independently
  • Because of someone’s request or order
  • An urgent effort to finish something before a deadline
  • To fail to continue or be abandoned
  • Central to the main issue or problem
Correct answer(s):
  • To stop supporting a group and act independently

For HSC English, what is the meaning of Bring into sharp focus?

  • To emphasize a point strongly and repeatedly
  • A warning action meant to prevent stronger action later
  • To reach a stage where one’s ability or value is fully shown
  • To make something very clear and noticeable
Correct answer(s):
  • To make something very clear and noticeable

Identify the correct meaning of the expression Bring pressure to bear.

  • At a distance, especially to avoid close involvement
  • To apply influence or force to make someone act
  • To suspend or postpone something temporarily
  • Something done only to achieve a larger purpose
Correct answer(s):
  • To apply influence or force to make someone act

What idea is expressed by By a long chalk?

  • Automatically because no other choice is made
  • By a large amount; not nearly close
  • To obey or be controlled by someone else
  • To manage to speak when others are talking a lot
  • To make something very clear and noticeable
Correct answer(s):
  • By a large amount; not nearly close

What does the phrase At pains to mean in standard English?

  • Making a careful or serious effort to do something
  • To have a natural talent for something
  • To receive unfair or worse treatment
  • To give little attention, sympathy, or consideration
Correct answer(s):
  • Making a careful or serious effort to do something

Select the best explanation of By any stretch of the imagination.

  • At the beginning or edge of a new stage
  • To apply influence or force to make someone act
  • By any possible interpretation or effort of thinking
  • To be in a very uncertain or dangerous state
Correct answer(s):
  • By any possible interpretation or effort of thinking

Choose the correct meaning of At the behest of.

  • After a quick look
  • A very small distance, difference, or margin
  • To be in a very uncertain or dangerous state
  • To find one’s position or understand a situation
  • Because of the request or command of someone
Correct answer(s):
  • Because of the request or command of someone

Which answer explains By common consent correctly?

  • To transform something completely
  • With general agreement
  • To suspend or postpone something temporarily
  • Very similar in character, nature, or behavior
Correct answer(s):
  • With general agreement

In English grammar, how should At the helm be understood?

  • By a very narrow margin
  • In control or in a leadership position
  • A career marked by both successes and failures or controversies
  • To try any small hope when desperate
Correct answer(s):
  • In control or in a leadership position

Which meaning best matches the idiom By default?

  • With serious risk to oneself
  • Much better than others of the same type
  • A career marked by both successes and failures or controversies
  • Automatically because no other choice is made
  • By a very narrow margin
Correct answer(s):
  • Automatically because no other choice is made

For HSC English, what is the meaning of At the height of?

  • To support the person, plan, or side that fails
  • To expose a hidden scandal, secret, or truth
  • Something ugly or unpleasant that spoils an otherwise attractive place
  • During the most intense or advanced stage of something
  • A career marked by both successes and failures or controversies
Correct answer(s):
  • During the most intense or advanced stage of something

What does the phrase By fair means or foul mean in standard English?

  • By honest or dishonest methods
  • Very similar in character, nature, or behavior
  • Between two equally dangerous or difficult choices
  • To create division or hostility between people
Correct answer(s):
  • By honest or dishonest methods

Identify the correct meaning of the expression At the threshold of.

  • A personal benefit or strong stake in an outcome
  • Something done only to achieve a larger purpose
  • At the beginning or edge of a new stage
  • A clear practical example or warning
Correct answer(s):
  • At the beginning or edge of a new stage

Choose the correct meaning of By hook or by crook.

  • After taking all facts and circumstances into account
  • Basically or fundamentally
  • By any possible means
  • To return to the original position or situation
Correct answer(s):
  • By any possible means

Which meaning best matches the idiom At bottom?

  • To wait anxiously or expectantly
  • A very small distance, difference, or margin
  • To become successful or real after effort
  • Basically or fundamentally
  • A career marked by both successes and failures or controversies
Correct answer(s):
  • Basically or fundamentally

What does the phrase At close quarters mean in standard English?

  • A result that is certain before it happens
  • Having nothing useful to do or feeling unsettled
  • To become no longer popular or common
  • From very near or in close contact
Correct answer(s):
  • From very near or in close contact

Choose the correct meaning of At cross purposes with.

  • An unpleasant fact or result that is difficult to accept
  • Having different aims or misunderstanding each other
  • To receive unfair or worse treatment
  • To fail to continue or be abandoned
Correct answer(s):
  • Having different aims or misunderstanding each other

In English grammar, how should At death’s door be understood?

  • To be in a difficult situation with very few choices
  • After a quick look
  • Very seriously ill or near death
  • An urgent effort to finish something before a deadline
  • To unite in support or defense of a group
Correct answer(s):
  • Very seriously ill or near death