Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by choosing the best prepositional phrase: My cousins insisted that I should watch the documentary (from beginning to the end).

Introduction / Context:
This question examines your understanding of fixed prepositional phrases that show the starting point and finishing point of an action. The expression "from the beginning to the end" is a common and natural phrase in English. The sentence talks about watching a documentary completely, without missing any part. We must choose the option that best expresses this idea in correct and idiomatic English.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The sentence is about watching a documentary.
• The original bracketed phrase is "from beginning to the end."
• The intended meaning is to watch the documentary completely.
• We need to choose the most grammatically correct and natural-sounding expression.

Concept / Approach:
In English, when we refer to the entire length of something, such as a film, book, or event, a common fixed phrase is "from the beginning to the end." Both "beginning" and "end" are specific points, so they usually take the definite article "the." The word "from" marks the starting point, and "to" introduces the ending point. Our task is to ensure both nouns are properly determined and that the phrase sounds natural in standard English.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Read the original phrase: "from beginning to the end." Step 2: Notice that "beginning" is a singular countable noun referring to a specific start, so it normally takes the definite article "the" in this context. Step 3: "End" already has the article "the," making it "the end." Step 4: Correct the imbalance by adding "the" before "beginning," giving "from the beginning to the end." Step 5: Check the full sentence: "My cousins insisted that I should watch the documentary from the beginning to the end." This clearly conveys that the documentary should be watched completely.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can verify by comparing with common examples: "Read the book from the beginning to the end," or "The event was interesting from the beginning to the end." These follow the same pattern. While "from the beginning to end" is sometimes used in less formal contexts, competitive exam questions usually expect the fully balanced form with articles before both nouns, that is, "from the beginning to the end."

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: "from a beginning to end" is wrong because "a beginning" sounds vague and is not typically used when referring to a specific, known start of the same documentary. It also omits "the" before "end." Option C: "from the beginning to end" is closer to correct, but it misses "the" before "end," creating an imbalance between the two parts of the phrase. Option D: "No improvement" is incorrect because the original phrase "from beginning to the end" lacks "the" before "beginning" and is therefore incomplete in a formal standard context.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners often overlook the repetition of articles in parallel structures. When there is a "from X to Y" pattern and both X and Y are singular countable nouns used in a specific sense, both usually need the article "the." Another pitfall is accepting semi colloquial or shortened expressions as exam standard. For formal writing and exams, it is safer to follow the fully balanced structure with proper articles on both sides.

Final Answer:
The correct improvement is "from the beginning to the end," which makes the sentence fully grammatical and clear.