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Question

Difficulty: MediumCollocations and Fixed Phrases

Which noun correctly completes the fixed verb-noun collocation in the sentence below?

Answer:During the press conference, the spokesperson warned journalists against making unfounded claims that could cast 【aspersions】 on the integrity of the judiciary.

Answer

aspersions
In standard English, the fixed idiomatic expression is 'to cast aspersions on', which means to attack or make damaging remarks about someone's character or integrity. The noun 'aspersions' is conventionally used in the plural form in this collocation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context and verb pattern in the sentence.
The sentence requires a noun that collocates naturally with the verb 'cast' and the preposition 'on' to mean criticizing or slandering someone's reputation.
The expression 'to cast aspersions on' is a fixed English collocation used in formal registers.

Key Concept

Collocations and Fixed Phrases
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Collocations and Fixed Phrases

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