Fixed Expressions and Precise Reference

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

C2. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Fill in the blank (text)

How to approach this practice

Read the complete context. Check both the meaning and the grammar, including word forms, collocations and links between sentences.

1. Question 1 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word: The concession was made without ___ to existing rights.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   prejudice / detriment / harm / damage

   Without prejudice to means without adversely affecting rights.

2. Question 2 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word: The explanation must be assessed on its own ___. Use MERIT in the appropriate form.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   merits

   On its own merits means by its intrinsic qualities.

3. Question 3 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word: That claim begs the ___: it assumes precisely what it sets out to prove.

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   Blank 1

   question

   Beg the question means assume the point requiring proof.

4. Question 4 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word: The report takes the evidence in the ___, rather than item by item.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   round / aggregate

   In the round means considering the whole picture.

5. Question 5 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word: The issue is one of interpretation, not of evidence ___ se.

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   Blank 1

   per

   Per se means in itself.

6. Question 6 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word: The authority extends to this case by ___ of the revised statute.

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   Blank 1

   virtue / operation / force / authority / reason / power

   By virtue of means because of or through the authority of.

7. Question 7 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word: The request should not be dismissed out of ___.

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   Blank 1

   hand

   Out of hand means without proper consideration.

8. Question 8 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   The clause stops applying when an explicit waiver is issued. Use one word: The clause is operative only in the ___ of an explicit waiver.

   Check answers and explanations

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   absence

   In the absence of means when something is not present. The first sentence establishes that issuing a waiver makes the clause inoperative.

9. Question 9 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word: For the ___ of doubt, the restriction applies to copies as well.

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   avoidance

   For the avoidance of doubt introduces an explicit clarification.

10. Question 10 · Fill in the blank (text)

    Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

    Use one word: The exception applies to this case and this case ___.

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    Blank 1

    alone / only / exclusively

    Alone places an exclusive restriction on this case.

11. Question 11 · Fill in the blank (text)

    Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

    Use one word: The observation is true as far as it ___, but it leaves the main issue untouched.

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    Blank 1

    goes

    As far as it goes concedes a limited truth while marking incompleteness.

12. Question 12 · Fill in the blank (text)

    Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

    Use one word: The decision was reasonable on the evidence then at ___.

    Check answers and explanations

    Blank 1

    hand

    At hand means available at the relevant time.

13. Question 13 · Fill in the blank (text)

    Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

    Use one word: The safeguards exist in name ___; they are never enforced.

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    only / alone

    In name only distinguishes a label from actual operation.

14. Question 14 · Fill in the blank (text)

    Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

    Use one word: The wording is a case in ___ of why precision matters.

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    Blank 1

    point

    A case in point is a relevant illustrative example.

15. Question 15 · Fill in the blank (text)

    Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

    Form an adjective from RESOLVE: No final answer has been reached. Whether the exception is justified remains ___.

    Check answers and explanations

    Blank 1

    unresolved

    Unresolved means not yet settled; the negative prefix preserves the explicit absence of a final answer.

What to review next

Explain why each answer fits the meaning and structure. Record useful phrases and write a new example using each pattern you found difficult.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.