Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by choosing the best idiomatic English expression: "The hapless kid (cut a sorry figure) in his first performance on the stage."

Introduction / Context:
This grammar and usage question focuses on English idioms. The sentence talks about a "hapless kid" during his first stage performance, and the part in brackets uses the expression "cut a sorry figure". You are asked to decide whether this expression should be changed or left as it is, based on standard idiomatic usage in English.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The original sentence is: "The hapless kid (cut a sorry figure) in his first performance on the stage."
• The options modify the bracketed phrase in different ways, including "no improvement".
• The context suggests that the child performed poorly and appeared awkward or unimpressive.
• We assume the exam tests knowledge of the correct idiom, not literal word-for-word translation.

Concept / Approach:
Idioms are fixed or semi fixed expressions whose meanings cannot always be guessed from individual words. "To cut a sorry figure" is an established English idiom that means to present a poor or pitiable appearance, especially in public performance or behaviour. When checking improvement questions, you must recognise whether the original phrase is already a correct idiom. If it is, the correct option will usually be "no improvement".

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the phrase "cut a sorry figure" sounds like a set idiomatic expression rather than a random combination of words. Step 2: Recall or confirm that "to cut a sorry figure" means to make an unimpressive or pitiable appearance, often due to poor performance. Step 3: Relate this meaning to the context: the child is "hapless" and it is his first stage performance, so he likely did not perform well and appeared awkward. Step 4: Examine "made a sorry figure". Although understandable, it is not the standard idiom in English and sounds less natural. Step 5: "Made a sad figure" also does not match any recognised idiom and sounds incorrect in standard usage. Step 6: "Cut a sorry face" focuses on the face alone and is not a recognised idiomatic alternative to the expression. Step 7: "Cut a sorry figure of himself" is wordy and again not the standard form of the idiom. Step 8: Since the original phrase is already correct and idiomatic, the best answer is "no improvement".

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify the idiom by recalling that exam books and dictionaries frequently use sentences like "He cut a sorry figure in front of the audience" to illustrate a poor impression. None of the alternative phrases appear as standard idioms in good usage guides. Therefore, altering the phrase would actually make the sentence less natural and less idiomatic, which confirms that no improvement is needed.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• made a sorry figure: Understandable but not the recognised idiom; standard English prefers "cut a sorry figure".
• made a sad figure: Sounds awkward and is not used as an idiom to describe performance or public appearance.
• cut a sorry face: Focuses only on facial expression and is not a standard fixed expression in this context.
• cut a sorry figure of himself: Unnecessarily long and not the established form of the idiom.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to distrust the original phrase just because it sounds slightly unusual. Students sometimes think that every bracketed part must be wrong, but improvement questions often include correctly written options where "no improvement" is the right choice. Another pitfall is trying to make the sentence more literal, which destroys idiomatic flavour. In idiom questions, always recall whether you have seen an expression used frequently in quality reading material.

Final Answer:
The correct option is no improvement, because "cut a sorry figure" is already the correct idiomatic expression.