Fill in the blank with the correct word: The criminal changed his name to an ___________ in order to elude the police.

Introduction / Context:
This vocabulary question tests whether you know the specific term used for a false or assumed name. In crime stories, legal contexts, and news reports, it is common to describe how criminals hide their identity by adopting another name. Recognising the word alias will help you understand such texts easily.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Sentence: The criminal changed his name to an ___________ in order to elude the police. - Options: alternative, alias, option, untrue. - The context is a criminal trying to avoid capture by the police. - The missing word must mean a false or assumed name.

Concept / Approach:
An alias is a name that a person uses instead of his or her real name, especially to hide identity. It is often used in legal documents and police reports. Alternative and option are general words for choice, and untrue is an adjective meaning not true. None of these capture the idea of a false name itself. Therefore, alias is the only option that fits both the meaning and the grammar of the sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the key idea: changing one's name to avoid the police. Step 2: Recall that alias is the term used for a false or assumed name, especially in police and legal contexts. Step 3: Insert alias into the sentence: changed his name to an alias. Step 4: Check the grammar: alias is a countable noun, so an alias is correct. Step 5: Test the other options: - Alternative means another possibility or choice, not specifically a false name. - Option also means a choice and does not refer to identity. - Untrue is an adjective and cannot properly follow the article an in this context. Step 6: Confirm that only alias satisfies both meaning and structure.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider typical uses of alias: The criminal, known by the alias John Smith, escaped custody or He travelled under an alias to avoid detection. In both cases, alias clearly denotes a false name used for concealment. Replacing alias with alternative or option would make these sentences meaningless. This confirms that alias is the correct answer for the given sentence as well.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Alternative in option A describes a different choice in general, for example an alternative route, but not specifically a false identity. Option in option C is similarly a general term for a choice, not a name. Untrue in option D is an adjective meaning not correct or false, and it does not function as a noun meaning false name.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates may be tempted by alternative or option because they suggest change or choice. However, the key hint is the presence of the police and the criminal changing his name to elude capture. This clearly points to a specialised legal term. Remembering that alias is frequently used in police reports and crime stories will help you avoid confusion.

Final Answer:
The correct word is alias, giving The criminal changed his name to an alias in order to elude the police.