In the following question, a sentence is given with a blank to be filled in with an appropriate word. Select the correct alternative out of the four: His father _____ him up in a construction business.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests knowledge of common phrasal verbs in English. The sentence describes a father helping his son begin work in a particular line of business, namely construction. You must choose the verb that correctly completes the phrasal verb used to describe establishing someone in business.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Sentence: “His father _____ him up in a construction business.”
• Options: built, hold, keep, set.
• The structure of the sentence requires a verb followed by him up, forming a phrasal verb.
• We assume that the intended meaning is that the father helped him start or establish himself in that business.

Concept / Approach:
The phrasal verb set someone up means to help someone start a business or new venture, or to put someone in a particular situation. For example, “His parents set him up in a small shop” means they helped him start that shop. Other verbs like build, hold, or keep do not form a natural phrasal verb with up in this context with the meaning of starting a business.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Insert “built”: “His father built him up in a construction business” usually means to praise or develop his confidence, not to establish a business, so the meaning is off.Insert “hold”: “His father hold him up in a construction business” is grammatically wrong and does not form a standard expression.Insert “keep”: “His father keep him up in a construction business” is ungrammatical and does not match the intended sense.Insert “set”: “His father set him up in a construction business” is both grammatical and idiomatic, clearly conveying that the father helped him start that business.Therefore, set is the correct verb to complete the phrasal verb set him up.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider similar examples: “Her uncle set her up in a boutique,” “The company set him up in their new branch,” and “They set the young manager up with the necessary capital.” In each case, set up is used to mean establish or start. Replacing set with other verbs in those sentences would make them sound wrong or change the meaning completely.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Built up can sometimes mean develop or expand, as in “They built up a successful company,” but “built him up in a business” is not the standard phrase to describe establishing someone financially or practically. Hold up often means delay, rob or support, none of which applies here. Keep up means maintain, which fits better with standards or routines, not with the initial act of starting a business. Thus, only set forms the correct and common phrasal verb.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners interpret him up literally and become confused, but in English, many verbs plus up form idiomatic phrases whose meaning cannot be guessed from individual words. It is helpful to memorise key business-related phrasal verbs such as set up a company, draw up a contract, and wind up a firm. In this question, remembering that set someone up in business is the normal expression will guide you to the right answer quickly.

Final Answer:
The correct word is set, forming the phrasal verb “set him up in a construction business”.