In the following sentence completion question, choose the most appropriate word to fill in the blank: At night, the hungry orphan would sneak into the kitchen and __________ tiny amounts of food.

Introduction / Context:
This question checks vocabulary and the ability to choose a verb that fits both the meaning and the tone of the sentence. The sentence describes a hungry orphan sneaking into the kitchen at night to take small amounts of food. The context suggests secretive, possibly dishonest taking of food in small quantities, not simply choosing or storing food.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Subject: “the hungry orphan”. - Action: “would sneak into the kitchen”. - Object: “tiny amounts of food”. - The missing verb must express secretly taking small quantities.

Concept / Approach:
The key word in the sentence is “sneak”, which implies secrecy and possibly theft. Therefore, the verb chosen for the blank must align with this idea. The English verb “pilfer” means to steal small quantities, especially things that are not very valuable. This matches the situation perfectly. The other options either describe unrelated actions or do not function as verbs in the required sense.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Interpret the scene: a hungry orphan, late at night, entering the kitchen secretly. This implies taking food without permission. Step 2: Recall the meaning of “pilfer”, which is to steal items, usually of small value, in small amounts and often in a sneaky manner. Step 3: Fit “pilfer” into the sentence: “At night, the hungry orphan would sneak into the kitchen and pilfer tiny amounts of food.” The sentence now reads smoothly and logically. Step 4: Consider “prefer”. This means to like one thing more than another and does not describe stealing food. Step 5: Consider “lifter”. This is a noun, not a verb, and therefore does not grammatically fit the blank. Step 6: Consider “differ”. This verb means to be unlike or to disagree and does not match the context. Step 7: Consider “hoard”. This means to store or accumulate items, often secretly, but it usually suggests keeping things over time, not the act of stealthily taking small amounts in a single action. The stronger and more precise word here is “pilfer”.

Verification / Alternative check:
Re-read the completed sentence: “At night, the hungry orphan would sneak into the kitchen and pilfer tiny amounts of food.” The imagery is clear: secret, repeated, small-scale theft. If we substitute “hoard”, the sentence becomes less precise, because hoarding relates to accumulation rather than the act of taking. The presence of “sneak” further supports a verb that clearly denotes stealing.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Prefer: Expresses choice, not stealing or taking food. Lifter: A noun that could refer to a weightlifting person or tool, not a verb fitting the blank. Differ: Means to be different or disagree, unrelated to taking food. Hoard: Suggests storing or accumulating goods, not specifically the act of stealthily stealing small portions in this context.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may be tempted by “hoard” because of its connection with secretive behaviour. However, the action here is taking food from the kitchen, not building up a large private store over time. Understanding fine distinctions among synonym-like words is crucial for success in vocabulary-based questions. Regular reading and using new words in sentences can help fix their precise meanings in memory.

Final Answer:
The most appropriate verb to complete the sentence is pilfer.