Select the most appropriate word to complete the following sentence:-
The teacher encouraged the students to _____ when they didn't understand the topic.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → speak up
Speak up means to say what one thinks openly, especially to ask a question or raise a problem. A teacher wants students who have not understood a topic to say so and ask, so "speak up" fits.
Complete sentence: The teacher encouraged the students to speak up when they didn't understand the topic.
Example: If you have a doubt in class, speak up at once.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: hold back — Incorrect. To hold back is to stop oneself from saying or doing something, the opposite of what a teacher would encourage here.
Example: She held back her tears during the farewell.
Option 2: move on — Incorrect. To move on is to go forward to the next thing; moving on without understanding is not what the teacher wants.
Example: Let us move on to the next chapter.
Option 4: step aside — Incorrect. To step aside is to move out of the way or give up a position for someone else; it has nothing to do with asking about a topic.
Example: The captain stepped aside to let a younger player lead.