Task 1. Finally, Gorchakov realized that (7) ______; he had to make a decision. He chose to (8) ______ and accepted the harsh terms, even though it wounded his pride. After the treaty was signed, he had to (9) ______, receiving criticism from his own government. Yet he knew that the agreement was (10) ______ as it bought Russia time to rebuild. He decided to (11) ______ and not dwell on past grievances. Only (12) ______ did he doubt his choices, but he remained steadfast. His ability to (13) ______ allowed him to anticipate his opponents’ moves. In the end, he learned that in diplomacy it was often necessary to (14) ______, and he treated the past as (15) ______, letting bygones be bygones. Options: A. a blessing in disguise; B. beat around the bush; C. bite the bullet; D. burn one’s bridges; E. cut the Gordian knot; F. face the music; G. have an axe to grind; H. hit the nail on the head; I. keep one’s cards close to one’s chest; J. let sleeping dogs lie; K. once in a blue moon; L. read between the lines; M. sit on the fence; N. the ball was in his court; O. throw down the gauntlet; P. water under the bridge.

Подбираем идиому по смыслу каждого предложения: принять неприятное решение — bite the bullet; столкнуться с последствиями — face the music; не возвращаться к старым обидам — let sleeping dogs lie.

1. (7) a blessing in disguise
2. (8) bite the bullet
3. (9) face the music
4. (10) water under the bridge
5. (11) let sleeping dogs lie
6. (12) once in a blue moon
7. (13) read between the lines
8. (14) keep one’s cards close to one’s chest
9. (15) water under the bridge

Ответ: 7 — A; 8 — C; 9 — F; 10 — P; 11 — J; 12 — K; 13 — L; 14 — I; 15 — P.