Choose the most appropriate word to fill in the blank:
The lawyer tried to _____ the witness to provide a clearer explanation of the events to the jury.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → prompt
Complete sentence: The lawyer tried to prompt the witness to provide a clearer explanation of the events to the jury. The lawyer is urging the witness to give a clearer account of the events, so "prompt the witness to provide" fits.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) preside | to be in charge of a meeting, a trial or a ceremony, as in "preside over" (it cannot be followed by "the witness to provide") | The judge presided over the hearing. |
| (2) prolong | to make something last longer (it does not mean urging someone to speak) | Heavy rain prolonged the match by an hour. |
| (3) propose | to put forward a plan or suggestion (one proposes an idea, not a person to do something) | He proposed a new schedule for the team. |
| (4) prompt (answer) | to encourage or urge someone to say or do something | The teacher prompted the shy student to share her answer. |