Question

Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word.
Ted will do well in college.
a. have fun
b. be nice
c. work hard
d. be successful

Answer 1

Hint: The phrase ‘to do well’ means ‘to be successful, especially in work or business’.

Complete step by step solution: An idiom is a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase; but some phrases become figurative idioms while retaining the literal meaning of the phrase.
The given phrase means to be successful. So, the sentence is saying that Ted is going to succeed in college in the future. This is an example of a ‘literal idiom’, i.e. it describes itself in a literal sense.
Now, we know what idioms are and we know the meaning of the given idiom. Let’s look at the given options:
have fun - This phrase does not have the same meaning as the given phrase. So, it is an incorrect option.
be nice - This phrase is also not the literal meaning of the idiom ‘do well’. So, this is also an incorrect option.
work hard - This phrase does not mean the same thing as the given idiom. So, since it is not the literal meaning, it is an incorrect option.

be successful - This is the exact literal meaning of the given phrase/idiom. So, it is the correct option.

Note: Find the phrase that is the literal meaning of the underlined phrase. Choose the option with the closest meaning.