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Difficulty: HardPhrasal Verbs and Prepositional Verbs

In the sentence below, a verb-particle combination is required to convey the correct contextual meaning:

'Despite the intricate financial maneuvers designed to disguise the embezzlement, the forensic accountant was able to quickly __________ the fraudulent scheme.'

Which of the following phrasal verbs correctly completes the sentence?

  1. cotton on toAnswer
  2. B
    cotton up to
  3. C
    cotton over to
  4. D
    cotton in with

Answer

The correct phrasal verb is 'cotton on to'.
The correct choice is 'cotton on to' because it is an established phrasal verb meaning to realize, comprehend, or grasp the significance of something that was previously hidden or complex.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence to determine the required meaning.
The context requires a verb phrase meaning 'to realize' or 'to grasp/understand' a hidden fraudulent scheme.
Identifying the contextual requirement is essential to choosing the appropriate phrasal verb.
2
Evaluate the idiomatic meanings of the options with their respective particles.
'Cotton on to' means to understand or catch on to a situation. 'Cotton up to' means to curry favor with someone.
Standard British English distinguishes clearly between particle pairings attached to the root verb 'cotton'.

Key Concept

Distinction between particle meanings in phrasal verbs
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Phrasal Verbs and Prepositional Verbs

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