In the following sentence, a blank is given which must be filled with the most appropriate preposition or adverbial particle. Select the correct alternative out of the four given options. The elephant stampeded and tore ______ the streets.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of phrasal verbs and common collocations in English. The sentence describes a frightening situation where an elephant stampedes, that is, runs wildly in panic or rage. You must choose the particle that correctly combines with tore to express the idea of moving rapidly and violently along the streets.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Sentence: The elephant stampeded and tore ______ the streets. - Options: on, out, off, down. - The context is frantic movement through a city or town area.

Concept / Approach:
In English, we often use the phrasal verb tear down in the sense of move very fast or rush violently along a surface or route, especially when describing cars, animals or people running in panic. The phrase tore down the streets describes fast, uncontrolled movement along the streets. Other combinations like tore on the streets or tore out the streets are not idiomatic. Therefore, the correct particle to complete the expression is down.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the verb tore. In this context, it is used in a figurative sense meaning moved very fast or charged. Step 2: Recall common collocations: we say cars tear down the highway or children tear down the corridor when they run very fast. Step 3: Insert down into the sentence: The elephant stampeded and tore down the streets. This clearly describes the animal rushing through the streets. Step 4: Test on: The elephant stampeded and tore on the streets sounds awkward and does not reflect a natural phrasal verb. Step 5: Test out and off. Tore out the streets would suggest removing the streets, which is illogical. Tore off the streets suggests leaving the streets rather than rushing along them, which again does not match the intended meaning.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider similar examples to cross check. We normally say The bull tore down the lane, The motorbike tore down the road, and The children tore down the hall. In each case, down the road or down the hall describes rapid movement along a path. Using on, out or off in these sentences would sound unnatural. The same pattern applies to The elephant tore down the streets, confirming that down is the correct and idiomatic choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
On is wrong because tore on the streets does not form a standard phrasal verb and fails to capture the idea of rushing along a path. Out is wrong because tore out the streets would mean pulled the streets out, which is nonsensical in this context. Off is wrong because tore off the streets suggests leaving the streets rather than moving through them, which is not what the sentence is describing.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes treat particles like on, off, out and down as interchangeable because many languages express direction differently. However, in English, phrasal verbs often have fixed combinations that must be learned. A useful strategy is to note common patterns such as run down the road, drive along the street and rush through the crowd. These patterns will guide you when you face similar questions in exams and help you avoid choosing particles that are grammatically possible but not idiomatic.

Final Answer:
The correct completion is: The elephant stampeded and tore down the streets.