Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option to complete the sentence:
The management hiked the workers' wages to ________ with the rise in prices.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → keep up
Keep up (with) means to move or rise at the same rate as something else. Prices were rising, so the wages were raised to rise at the same pace: "to keep up with the rise in prices".
Complete sentence: The management hiked the workers' wages to keep up with the rise in prices.
Example: Small shops find it hard to keep up with online sellers.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: keep on — Incorrect. Keep on means to continue doing something; wages cannot "keep on with" prices.
Example: The baby kept on crying all night.
Option 3: carry on — Incorrect. Carry on means to continue an activity; it does not mean matching a rising level.
Example: Please carry on with your work.
Option 4: draw up — Incorrect. Draw up means to prepare a written document, or (of a vehicle) to come to a stop.
Example: The lawyer drew up a new agreement.
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| draw up | – | – | – | 18-06 S1 | – |