Urban life_ADVANCED

My brother is always a tower of strength whenever I have a problem.

What does "tower of strength" mean?

• My brother is always enormously supportive.

• My brother is often critical.
• My brother never helps me.
• My brother is always busy.

I would be reluctant to work for a company that does a lot of business by the back door.

What does "by the back door" mean?

• in an unofficial way

• through official channels only

• transparent and open manner

• face-to-face negotiations

The fee for this work will depend on the time it takes but it has a ceiling of twenty thousand dollars.

What does "have a ceiling of" mean?

• there is no limit on the fee.

• the fee will be exactly twenty thousand dollars

• fee will be less than twenty thousand dollars

• there is a maximum limit of twenty thousand dollars

The cost of petrol has gone through the roof in the last six months.

What does "go through the roof" mean?

• a physical object breaking

• decrease in price

• a stable price

• increase dramatically

Having children often cements a marriage.

What does "cement a relationship" mean?

• no impact on marriage stability

• make a relationship stronger

• make something more intellectual

• make stronger financially

Vladivostok is the gateway to start exploring Eastern Russia.

What does "gateway to" mean?

• name of the airport

• transportation service

• ideal place to start exploring smth

• historical landmark in Vladivostok

The key decision we have to take now is where to locate our business.

What does "key" mean?

• most important

• insignificant

• secondary

• unimportant

The professor has spent all his life in an ivory tower and really finds it very difficult to cope in the real world.

What does "in an ivory tower" mean?

• a commitment to community service

• a luxurious lifestyle with no responsibilities

• being isolated from the real world, often due to academic or intellectual pursuits

• being overly ambitious in one's career