Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: Keith has _____ with a failure in the English examination thrice.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: met

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question examines your knowledge of idiomatic expressions in English, especially the phrase “to meet with failure”. The sentence describes Keith's repeated experience of failing an English examination, and you must select the verb that forms a correct and natural expression with “failure”.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The subject is Keith.
  • He has experienced failure in the English examination three times.
  • The verb should combine naturally with “failure”.
  • The focus is on idiomatic usage, not just literal meaning.


Concept / Approach:
In English, the idiom “to meet with failure” is commonly used to indicate that someone experiences failure. We do not usually say “caught with a failure”, “gone with a failure”, or “got with a failure”. Therefore, recognising the correct idiom is the key to answering this question correctly.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Consider the phrase pattern: “has _____ with a failure”.Option “caught”: “caught with a failure” is not a standard or meaningful phrase.Option “gone”: “gone with a failure” is also unidiomatic.Option “got”: “got with a failure” is grammatically incorrect and unnatural.Option “met”: “met with a failure” is a recognized idiomatic expression meaning “experienced failure”.Therefore, “met” is the verb that correctly completes the idiomatic phrase.


Verification / Alternative check:
Read the complete sentence with the correct option: “Keith has met with a failure in the English examination thrice.” This sentence clearly expresses that he has experienced failure three times. You may also see the phrase used in formal writing as “The proposal met with failure” or “The attempt met with success”.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
“Caught” is used with illnesses or with doing something wrong (“caught a cold”, “caught cheating”), not with “failure” in this pattern. “Gone” is usually combined with prepositions like “through” or “into”, not “with a failure”. “Got” needs a different structure, such as “got a failure”, which still sounds awkward in this context. None of them match the standard idiomatic expression.


Common Pitfalls:
Many learners try to interpret the phrase literally and choose verbs based on direct meaning instead of idiomatic usage. It is important in competitive exams to remember common expressions such as “meet with success/failure” and “run into trouble”, as they appear frequently in vocabulary and usage questions.


Final Answer:
The correct word to complete the sentence is met (as in “met with a failure”).

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