Fill in Blanks (Vocabulary) — Set 8
Questions 71–80 of 140
After years of struggle, she finally _____ _____ _____ her dream of becoming a doctor.
Correct Answer: C. achieved
Achieved is the standard collocation with 'dream' in English. The sentence describes the fulfillment of a long-held aspiration after years of struggle. Carry out collocates naturally with tasks, orders, and plans — not with dreams. Give up is the opposite of the intended meaning, and 'held on to' means she merely retained the dream without realizing it.
He decided to _____ _____ smoking after his health scare.
Correct Answer: A. give up
To give up means to stop doing something or quit. He gave up smoking to improve his health. This is the most common phrasal verb for cessation of habits.
She promised to _____ _____ her younger siblings while their parents were away.
Correct Answer: A. look after
To look after means to care for or take care of someone. She looked after her siblings. This phrasal verb specifically refers to providing care and supervision.
When the recession hit, many companies had to _____ _____ employees.
Correct Answer: A. lay off
To lay off means to dismiss employees, usually temporarily due to economic conditions. Companies laid off workers during the recession. This is the standard phrasal verb for job termination.
The government decided to _____ _____ an investigation into the matter.
Correct Answer: A. set up
To set up means to establish or create something. The government set up an investigation. This phrasal verb indicates the initiation of a formal process or organization.
The committee _____ _____ several new projects despite budget constraints.
Correct Answer: A. took on
To take on means to assume responsibility or undertake a task. The committee took on new projects. This shows willingness to accept challenges despite constraints.
The students decided to _____ _____ the issue and _____ _____ a comprehensive solution.
Correct Answer: A. look into, come up with
To look into means to investigate, and to come up with means to produce or develop. Students looked into the issue and came up with a solution. This sequence shows proper problem-solving methodology.
The meeting was _____ _____ because of the director's unexpected illness.
Correct Answer: A. put off
To put off means to postpone or delay. The meeting was put off due to illness. This phrasal verb indicates rescheduling due to unforeseen circumstances.
The company needs to _____ _____ its outdated systems and modernize operations.
Correct Answer: A. phase out
To phase out means to gradually discontinue or eliminate. The company should phase out old systems. This indicates a gradual transition rather than immediate discontinuation.
We should _____ _____ the budget before approving the expenditure.
Correct Answer: A. go over
Go over means to review or examine something carefully. Reviewing the budget before approving expenditure is standard financial practice. Take in means to absorb information, put forward means to propose, and back up means to support or make a copy, none of which fit the context of examining financial figures.