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Question

Difficulty: HardCollocations and Fixed Phrases

Complete the sentence below by identifying the specific noun that correctly completes the fixed English collocation.

Answer:Following the sudden implementation of austerity measures, vulnerable rural communities were left to bear the 【brunt】 of reduced public spending and essential services.

Answer

The correct word to complete the collocation is 'brunt'.
The word 'brunt' correctly completes the fixed expression 'bear the brunt of', which idiomatic usage dictates when describing an entity enduring the worst impact or chief strain of a negative event.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the syntactic structure and idiomatic requirements of the sentence.
The sentence presents the structure 'bear the _____ of', which demands a specific noun to form a standard fixed expression.
English lexis relies on established collocational patterns where synonymous words cannot be arbitrarily substituted.
2
Determine the precise lexical item that collocates with 'bear the ... of' in the context of enduring hardship.
The noun 'brunt' forms the standard phrase 'bear the brunt of', meaning to suffer the main force, shock, or worst part of an unpleasant situation.
'Brunt' specifically collocates with the verb 'bear' in formal British and international English usage.

Key Concept

Fixed Collocations and Verb-Noun Expressions
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Collocations and Fixed Phrases

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