In this phrasal verb sentence improvement question, you must correct the sentence "The burglar broke in the shop last night" by choosing the option that uses the proper phrasal verb and preposition after "broke".

Introduction / Context:
This question tests the correct use of the English phrasal verb "break into" in the context of burglary. Competitive examinations frequently include items based on phrasal verbs because the correct choice of preposition changes the meaning and shows whether the candidate understands idiomatic usage rather than translating word by word.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Incorrect sentence: The burglar broke in the shop last night.
• The context is a criminal act where a burglar entered a shop illegally.
• The underlined part involves the words following "broke".
• We must select the phrasal verb that is standard in English for this situation.

Concept / Approach:
In English, when someone enters a building illegally, especially to steal, the usual expression is "break into" a place. The phrasal verb "break into" is followed directly by the object: "break into the shop", "break into the house". The phrase "broke in the shop" is incorrect because "break in" as an intransitive verb normally does not take a direct object like "the shop" without a preposition. The preposition "into" is therefore necessary to complete the standard pattern.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify the action: a burglar entered a shop illegally at night.Recall the common phrasal verb used for this meaning: "break into".Notice that "broke in the shop" lacks the preposition "into" and sounds unnatural.Insert the correct phrase: "The burglar broke into the shop last night."Check that the tense (broke), preposition (into), and object (the shop) are all correct and natural.

Verification / Alternative check:
Read the improved sentence: "The burglar broke into the shop last night." This matches the kind of sentence you see in news reports and textbooks describing theft. The verb "broke" in simple past plus "into" and a place name clearly conveys the meaning of forced, illegal entry.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: "broke" alone is incomplete because it does not show where the burglar went; it needs a preposition and object. Option B: "broke through" suggests physically breaking through a barrier like a wall or crowd, but it still sounds odd without a suitable object and is not the standard phrase for burglary. Option D: "No improvement" is incorrect because the original wording "broke in the shop" is not standard English for this meaning.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners often confuse "break in" and "break into". "Break in" can be used as an intransitive verb, as in "Burglars often break in at night", where there is no direct object. However, when we name the place, the preposition "into" must be included. Remember that many phrasal verbs change meaning depending on whether a preposition or object is present.

Final Answer:
The correct improvement is broke into, giving the full sentence "The burglar broke into the shop last night."