English

The idiom "a bed of roses" means a comfortable or easy situation, implying life is pleasant and free of difficulties.

The idiom 'Keep a tight rein on' means to exercise strict control over something or someone, similar to holding the reins tightly when riding a horse to control its movements.

The word 'perspicacity' means keen insight or shrewdness. Its antonym is 'naivety,' which means lack of experience or sophistication, making option C correct. The other options (Acumen, Astuteness, Intelligence) are synonyms or related positive traits, not antonyms.

The subject 'a large number of ammunition, weapons and explosives' is plural, so the plural verb 'have' is correct. 'Have' agrees with the plural noun phrase, making option D the correct choice.

The word "cryptic" means having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure, so "obscure" is the correct synonym. The other options do not match the meaning of "cryptic."

The phrase "hell to pay" means severe consequences or trouble resulting from an action. It is commonly used to indicate that there will be serious repercussions.

The correct preposition to use in this context is 'after' because it indicates pursuing or chasing someone, which fits the sentence meaning. 'On' does not correctly express this action.

The idiom 'to pull one's socks up' means to make an effort to improve one's work or behavior, often after a period of poor performance. Therefore, option B is the correct meaning.

A 'fresco' is a technique of mural painting executed upon freshly laid lime plaster, commonly used for wall paintings, including watercolor-like pictures on walls. The other options do not relate to wall paintings.

Option C correctly converts the indirect speech into direct speech by maintaining the polite inquiry and proper question structure. It matches the meaning of the original sentence accurately.