PROFICIENCY EXPERT - MODULE 4

The ... statements made by the witness during the trial cast doubt on their reliability.

• compelling

• imprimatur

• incongruent

• avant-garde

Answer explanation

not suitable or not fitting well with something else

Despite pressure from management to accept the new terms, the workers decided to ... and demand better conditions.

• flog a dead horse

• dig their heels in

• be as stubborn as a mule

• be outside the box

Pollution can ... respiratory problems, making them more severe than they initially were.

• exacerbate

• alleviate

• instil

• deter

The scientist's controversial theory was quickly d - - - - - - - - - - by peers due to a lack of empirical evidence.

(a)  

The soil in the garden was highly ... , allowing water to drain through quickly and preventing waterlogging of the plants.

• intrinsic

• proportional

• pejorative

• permeable

To protect the environment, the government decided to large areas of the forest, restricting any development.

• sequestrate

• advocate

• harness

• exhaust

Answer explanation

sequestrate something to take control of somebody’s property or assets until a debt has been paid

Light-hearted ... between colleagues at lunch time helps to ease the stress of the workday.

• blunder

• haggle

• banter

• hustle

Living on the ... of society, they created a community that thrived on mutual support and shared values.

(a)  

Despite economic ... , the company continued to prosper due to its innovative approach to business.

• breakdowns

• downturns

• outcries

• downpours

The new song was d - - - - - "Summer Anthem" by fans even before its official release.

(a)