Replace the underlined word with the most appropriate option given below:
Always avoid selfish people, as they only care about their own interests and will not hesitate to throw you under the bus if needed.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → keep away from
- Avoid means to stay away from someone or something on purpose. The sentence advises staying away from selfish people, who will harm you when it suits them.
Example: She avoids crowded markets during the festival season. - Keep away from means to stay at a distance from someone or something. It has the same meaning as avoid, so it replaces the underlined word.
Example: The doctor told him to keep away from fried food.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: keep along — Incorrect. Keep along is not an established phrasal verb in standard English; "keep" combines with words such as "away", "up" and "on", and none of these meanings is "avoid".
Option 3: keep up with — Incorrect. Keep up with means to stay level with someone or to stay informed about something. It is close to the opposite of avoiding someone.
Example: She finds it hard to keep up with her classmates in mathematics.
Option 4: keep on — Incorrect. Keep on means to continue doing something. It does not mean staying away from people.
Example: Keep on practising until you get it right.