Directions / next five questions : Read the following passage carefully and choose the most appropriate answer to each question out of the four alternatives.
Passage
At times there was something inhuman about Mr. Rogers, the Headmaster. His formidable chin fitted out in the most formidable way, and he seemed to be always frowning at the world in general. At the assembly he was like an inspecting officer in the army; he surveyed the gathered innocents with his crinkled eyes, and then began his list of morning rebukes. Any hapless offender, for the most venial offence, would be commanded to appear before his presence in front o the gathered ranks, and would then be subjected to a tirade of abuse that would leave him trembling or even in tears. Mr. Rogers was ruthless and cruel in public. "A dehydrated old sadist" was how Mr. Jones, the chemistry master described him.
The extraordinary thing was that in private he could be magnanimous and gentle. Any boy who was really in trouble would receive a sympathetic hearing, and went out feeling that the burden had been lightened.
Directions / next three questions : Four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase underlined in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom / Phrase.