1. The fox tried in vain to reach the grapes.
- in vain: một cách vô ích ( = unsuccessfully).
2. The storm had a bad effect on the crops.
- have an effect on sb/sth: có ảnh hưởng đến ai/cái gì.
3. The whole committee was in favour of the project.
- in favour of sth/doing sth: ủng hộ/ tán thành/ đồng ý với cái gì.
4. The personnel officer gave him her word that she wouldn’t tell anyone that he had been in the prison.
- give sb one's word that + clause: hứa với ai.
5. The story he told us was beyond belief.
- be beyond belief = unbelievable: không thể tin được.