Fill in the blank with the correct collocation.

Brady straightened, the _______ baton in hand.

wooden

The correct collocation to fill in the blank is wooden baton.

A baton is a short, thick stick that is used by conductors to lead an orchestra or band. It is typically made of wood, and it is often used in a swinging motion to keep the beat. In the sentence, Brady is straightening up and holding a wooden baton in his hand, which suggests that he is about to conduct an orchestra or band.

The other options are not correct collocations:

• Charge baton does not make sense. A baton is not used to charge at someone.
• Swing baton is a collocation, but it does not fit the context of the sentence. Brady is not swinging the baton, he is holding it in his hand.
• Open baton is not a collocation. A baton is not used to open something.