Answer — Exercise 8

a)

1. yes-man → someone who always agrees with and obeys his / her employer, leader, wife, etc.
2. whizzkid → a young person who is very skilled or successful at something
3. busybody → someone who is too interested in other people's private activities
4. chatterbox → someone (especially a child) who talks too much
5. pain in the neck → someone who or something which is very annoying
6. dark horse → someone who doesn't tell others very much about himself/herself, but has surprising qualities or abilities
7. old hand → someone who has a lot of experience at something
8. set in his / her ways → someone who is unlikely to change his / her habits or opinions
9. black sheep → someone who is regarded by other members of his / her family group as not fitting in or an embarrassment
10. life and soul of the party → someone who enjoys social occasions and is fun to be with

b)

1. He is very set in his ways.
2. He's an old hand.
3. He's / She's a chatterbox.
4. She's a dark horse.
5. It's a pain in the neck.
6. He's a whizzkid.
7. He's a busybody.
8. She's the life and soul of the party.