Dear PaGaLGuY readers, English Comprehension and English Language skills form an integral part of a number of competitive examinations, such as the SSC CGL, SSC CHSL exams, Banking Entrance exams, UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, MBA entrance exams, Combined Defence Service Examination, etc. Given the importance of this section, we bring you this English Language Quiz to help you practise and improve your English language skills.

This quiz has questions from the SSC Combined Graduate Level (Tier – I) exam held in June 2011. Solve this quiz and leave your responses/ answers in the comments section below. We will soon let you know the correct answers!

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for an idiom/phrase. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

1.To strain every nerve

(a) to make utmost efforts

(b) to feel weak and tired

(c) to be a diligent worker

(d) to be methodical in work

2. To flog a dead horse

(a) to whip a dead horse

(b) to attempt to do the impossible

(c) waste one’s efforts

(d) to take advantage of a weakness

3. To show a clean pair of heels

(a) to hide

(b) to escape

(c) to pursue

(d) to follow

4. To die in harness

(a) Premeditated murder

(b) dying young in an accident

(c) to die while in service

(d) None of the above

5. To feather one’s nest

(a) to make a residential house

(b) something that lasts for a short time

(c) to profit in a dishonest way

(d) None of the above

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