Fill in the blank of the sentence using one from the words, idioms or phrases provided in the four alternatives. He had already published a novel it was an unexpected success. He thought his ______ .

1. A

   Chances were good

2. B

   Days were up

3. C

   Fortune was made

4. D

   Lady luck was happy

Appeared in: NVS Staff Nurse - 2019

Explanation

• The idiom 'fortune was made' means to become very wealthy or successful, often unexpectedly.
• This fits the context perfectly, as the character achieved an 'unexpected success' with his novel.
• The phrase implies a sense of finality and security in one's wealth, which is the logical conclusion after a major success.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: This phrase suggests a high probability for a future event, not a reaction to a past success. The success has already occurred.
• Option B: This idiom means one's time is over or they are about to die. It has a negative and final connotation that is completely opposite to the positive event described.
• Option D: 'Lady luck was happy' is not a standard, recognized English idiom. While its meaning can be inferred, 'fortune was made' is the correct and conventional expression for this situation.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Idiomatic Expressions in English as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• This question tests general English proficiency, which is a component of many nursing entrance exams.
• Strong language skills are essential for clear communication with patients, colleagues, and for accurate documentation.
• What if the sentence was 'Before publishing, he felt his...'? In that case, 'Chances were good' would become the most logical answer, as it expresses hope about a future event.

How to Approach the Question

• Read the sentence carefully to understand the context. The key elements are 'published a novel' and 'unexpected success'.
• Analyze the tone of the sentence. The context is positive and relates to achieving success.
• Evaluate each option based on its meaning and idiomatic usage.
• Option A ('Chances were good') refers to future probability, not a past event.
• Option B ('Days were up') has a negative meaning (death/end), which contradicts the positive context.
• Option D ('Lady luck was happy') is not a standard idiom.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Idiomatic Expressions in English
• Stem keywords: published a novel, unexpected success, fill in the blank
• Lead-in keywords: fill in the blank

Question ID

QwGmx4c1UhyYy6V4qwTdCB

Copy ID

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) pp. 5955-5957, 5958-5960