Select the correct collocation to fill in the blank.
The teacher gave the students ______ instructions before the exam.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is option 4 i.e. clear.
Context: We are talking about the type of instructions the teacher gave before the exam.
Meaning of the words:
Strong – powerful or forceful
Great – very good or large in amount
Careful – with attention to detail, cautious
Clear – easy to understand, not confusing
Correct word: The correct collocation is “clear instructions” which means instructions that are easy to understand and follow. This is a commonly used and natural phrase in English.
Reason: In English, some words naturally go together. These word combinations are called collocations. We say "clear instructions", not "strong instructions" or "careful instructions". This is because “clear” fits best when we talk about instructions that need to be understood easily.
Final Sentence: The teacher gave the students clear instructions before the exam.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.