In the following idiom and phrase question, select the option that best expresses the meaning of the expression “a piece of cake”.

Introduction:
This question tests your understanding of a very common English idiom: a piece of cake. Idioms are fixed expressions whose meanings cannot usually be guessed directly from the literal meanings of the individual words. Knowing idioms is essential for understanding everyday English conversations, films, and reading passages in competitive exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- Idiom: a piece of cake. - Four alternative meanings are provided. - You must select the meaning that matches real-world, idiomatic usage.

Concept / Approach:
Literally, a piece of cake is a small portion of a sweet dessert. However, in idiomatic English, when someone says that a task was a piece of cake, they mean it was very easy to do. The expression emphasises that the effort required felt as simple and pleasant as eating cake. Therefore, the correct option must convey the meanings easy or effortless rather than anything connected to hunger, sharing, or remembering food.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall common sentences such as The exam was a piece of cake or Driving this car is a piece of cake. Step 2: Notice that in such sentences the idiom clearly means very easy or simple. Step 3: Examine option D, Something easily achieved, and see that it directly expresses this sense. Step 4: Check option A, which talks about the taste of food to a hungry person. This is unrelated to difficulty level. Step 5: Observe that option B refers to an unfairly small share, which is connected with division, not ease. Step 6: Option C focuses on memory of tasty food, which again is not about difficulty or simplicity. Therefore, D is the only correct explanation.

Verification / Alternative check:
Insert each option into a sample sentence in place of the idiom. For example, The exam was something easily achieved makes clear sense, while The exam was getting a smaller share than expected is meaningless. This test confirms that the idiom describes how easy a task feels, not anything to do with food portions or hunger.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A incorrectly interprets the idiom literally in terms of taste and hunger. Option B introduces the idea of unfair distribution, which belongs to expressions like a raw deal. Option C incorrectly treats the idiom as a statement about memory and food pleasure. None of these options captures the central idea of ease and effortlessness that the idiom actually conveys.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners get confused when idioms involve food or money, because they try to attach a literal explanation. The best way to master idioms like a piece of cake is to memorise them with example sentences and remember the feeling they express. Here, that feeling is that a task requires little effort and is almost enjoyable. Recognising this will help you answer many idiom questions quickly.

Final Answer:
Something easily achieved is the correct meaning of the idiom a piece of cake.