My father strained every nerve to enable me to get settled in life.

• worked very hard
• spent a huge amount
• tried all tricks
• bribed several person
Correct Option: A  [ worked very hard ]

Remark:

The boy broke the window and took to his heels.

• The boy ran into the window.
• The boy broke the window and ran away.
• The boy broke the window and fell on his heels.
• The boy broke the window with his heels.
Correct Option: B  [ The boy broke the window and ran away. ]

Remark:

Take Bull by its horn

• deal decisively with a difficult situation
• insult someone in public
• remind someone of his promise
• display one's wealth
Correct Option: A  [ deal decisively with a difficult situation ]

Remark:

If somebody has worked for "donkey's years", it means he has worked:

• for donkeys
• for a few years
• for a long time
• for a short time
Correct Option: C  [ for a long time ]

Remark: "donkey's years": for a very long time

After reading the story time and again we are finally reading between the lines.

• Reading to entertain others
• Understanding the hidden meaning
• Reading only to show someone else about your style of reading.
• Reading to clear the exam
Correct Option: B  [ Understanding the hidden meaning ]

Remark:

'At daggers drawn' means:

• friendly
• on bad terms with
• acquainted
• unknown
Correct Option: B  [ on bad terms with ]

Remark:

When one is "airing dirty linen in public", the person is:

• discussing private affairs in public
• hanging out clothes in the open to dry
• standing up and fighting
• complaining
Correct Option: A  [ discussing private affairs in public ]

Remark: "airing dirty linen in public": discussing or arguing about unpleasant or private things in front of other people.

He was in a brown study and did not seem to catch my point.

• in his study room
• absorbed in reading
• absent – minded
• in a state of shock
Correct Option: B  [ absorbed in reading ]

Remark:

Some people now wonder whether we just pay the lip service or genuinely subscribe to democracy.

• pay oral tribute
• attach no value
• remain indifferent
• show only outward respect
Correct Option: D  [ show only outward respect ]

Remark:

He says he has invented a time machine, which is clearly a load of cobblers.

• Genuine
• Great
• Nonsense
• Significant
Correct Option: C  [ Nonsense ]

Remark: "A load of cobblers" is indeed an idiom, and it is commonly used to express that something is nonsense, untrue, or of poor quality.