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Question

Difficulty: EasyCollocations and Fixed Phrases

Despite working two part-time jobs, the struggling artist could barely _______ ends meet in the expensive city. Which of the following words correctly completes the fixed expression in the sentence?

  1. A
    bring
  2. makeAnswer
  3. C
    join
  4. D
    reach

Answer

The word 'make' correctly completes the fixed idiomatic expression 'make ends meet'.
The fixed expression 'make ends meet' is an established English idiom meaning to earn enough money to pay for necessities. The verb 'make' is the only word that correctly forms this conventional phrase.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the target fixed phrase contextually associated with managing personal finances and covering expenses.
Recognize that the sentence describes earning just enough income to survive financially.
English fixed phrases rely on specific, unalterable word pairings established by standard usage.
2
Select the correct verb to complete the phrase.
The conventional idiom is 'make ends meet'.
Verbs like 'bring', 'join', or 'reach' break the fixed collocation, making the sentence idiomatically incorrect.

Key Concept

Fixed Idioms and Collocations in English Lexis
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Topics

Collocations and Fixed Phrases

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