English

"Coruscating" means sparkling or flashing brightly. The antonym is "mundane," which means dull or lacking brightness. Options C and D are synonyms, and B means dark or shadowy, which is related but less precise than "mundane."

The analogy compares a scientist to their typical workplace, a laboratory. Similarly, a teacher is associated with a classroom, making option A the correct analogy. Other options do not represent a direct place-of-work relationship.

The idiom "pushing up the daisies" is a euphemism for being dead, as it refers to being buried underground where daisies grow above the grave.

The idiom 'All hat and no cattle' means someone who talks a lot or appears impressive but lacks real substance or action, which corresponds to option B: 'All talk but no action.'

The term 'Baroque' refers to a highly ornate and elaborate style, so its antonym would be 'Minimalist,' which denotes simplicity and lack of ornamentation. The other options either describe similar ornate styles or are not direct antonyms.

The word 'sacrilegious' means showing disrespect or irreverence toward something sacred. Its antonym is 'pious,' which means devoutly religious or showing reverence. 'Impious' and 'profane' are synonyms or related to sacrilegious, not antonyms.

The phrase 'close to the bankruptcy' fits the context of causing panic among creditors and stockholders, as bankruptcy implies financial failure. The other options do not logically cause such panic.

The idiom "a bed of thorns" refers to a situation or thing that is difficult or uncomfortable, making option A the correct meaning.

The word 'placate' means to make someone less angry or hostile, which is synonymous with 'pacify'. The other options have opposite or unrelated meanings.

The phrase 'call on' has multiple meanings, including 'to pay a visit to someone' and 'to summon or request someone to do something.' While it can mean 'summon as a witness' in some formal contexts, the most common and widely accepted meaning in everyday English is 'to pay a visit to someone,' which corresponds to option C. The phrase can also mean to ask someone to speak or answer a question, or to make use of a resource. Therefore, option C is the best choice for the general meaning of 'call on.'

The idiom "cook the books" means to alter financial records dishonestly or illegally to present a false picture of a company's financial situation. This matches option A exactly.

The sentence indicates that Maria forced herself to eat despite her negative opinion of the food. The word 'inedible' correctly conveys that she found the food practically impossible to eat, fitting the context perfectly.

The correct preposition to complete the phrase 'I have claim ___ you' is 'over,' as in 'I have a claim over you,' meaning a right or entitlement concerning you. 'On' is not typically used in this context.

"Finagle" means to obtain something by devious or dishonest means, often involving manipulation or wheedling. Among the options, "Wheedle" (to coax or persuade through flattery or cunning) is the closest synonym, making D the correct answer.

The phrase 'egging on' means to strongly encourage or urge someone to do something, often something risky or unwise. In this context, it implies the US and UK are encouraging Israel's actions rather than restraining them.

The word 'feral' means wild, untamed, or existing in a natural state, so 'Wild' is the correct synonym. Options B and C mean the opposite, and D is not a valid synonym.

The word 'Instrumental' means playing a crucial or important role, which fits the context of Inzamam contributing significantly to his team's success despite illness. Other options do not convey a positive or impactful role.

The word 'dank' means unpleasantly damp or wet, so its synonym is 'damp'. The other options do not share this meaning.

The word 'propinquity' means nearness or closeness in place or time. Among the options, 'Closeness' is the correct synonym, while the others denote distance or separation.

The idiom 'Penny wise and pound foolish' means being careful about small amounts of money but careless or wasteful about larger amounts, which matches option B.

The analogy 'Honey : Bee' shows a product and its producer. Honey is produced by a bee. Similarly, a statue is produced by a sculptor, making option C the correct analogy.

The idiom 'a pipe dream' refers to a hope or plan that is unrealistic or unattainable. Therefore, 'Unattainable dream' is the correct meaning.

The idiom "Till the cows come home" means for a very long time or indefinitely. It implies something lasting a long duration, which matches option B.

The idiom 'water under the bridge' refers to events or issues that happened in the past and are now considered resolved or no longer important, meaning they cannot be changed. Therefore, option B correctly captures this meaning.

The phrase 'pros and cons' means the advantages (for) and disadvantages (against) of something, so option D correctly captures this meaning.