In the following sentence improvement question, choose the best version of the sentence: 'Heavy work has been thrusted on me.'

Introduction / Context:
This question examines the correct use of irregular verbs in English, especially the past participle form used after has been in passive constructions. The given sentence Heavy work has been thrusted on me sounds almost correct but contains an error in the form of the verb thrust. Many irregular verbs in English do not form their past tense and past participle by adding ed, so knowing their principal parts is crucial for scoring well in grammar questions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Original sentence: Heavy work has been thrusted on me.
• The structure is passive voice with has been followed by a past participle.
• The verb in question is thrust, meaning to push forcefully.
• Options offer different verb forms and structures, including a no improvement choice.

Concept / Approach:
In English, verbs can be regular or irregular. Regular verbs form the past tense and past participle by adding ed, as in worked or pushed. Irregular verbs, however, have special forms that must be memorised. The verb thrust is an irregular verb with the forms thrust (present), thrust (past), and thrust (past participle). Therefore, the correct passive construction is has been thrust, not has been thrusted. Moreover, the preposition on is idiomatic in the phrase thrust something on someone, meaning to impose something on a person, especially work or responsibility, often unwillingly.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the tense and voice: has been indicates present perfect passive.Step 2: Recall that in the passive, has been must be followed by a past participle.Step 3: Check the principal parts of thrust: thrust, thrust, thrust.Step 4: Recognise that thrusted is not a standard form and should be treated as incorrect in exams.Step 5: Examine Option B: Heavy work has been thrust on me. This uses the correct past participle and preserves the passive meaning.Step 6: Examine Option C: Heavy work has thrust down on me. This changes the structure from passive to active-like and introduces down unnecessarily, making the sentence unclear and less idiomatic.Step 7: Option D, No improvement, cannot be chosen because thrusted is incorrect.Step 8: Conclude that Option B is the only grammatically correct and natural improvement.

Verification / Alternative check:
Compare with dictionary or standard examples: He thrust the papers into my hands, The responsibility was thrust on her suddenly, and Heavy responsibilities have been thrust on the committee. In all these examples, thrust remains unchanged in past and past participle positions. No reputable source uses thrusted as accepted standard. This confirms that has been thrust is the correct passive form.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Option A: Heavy work has been thrusted on me uses a non-standard form thrusted, which will be marked wrong in examinations.
• Option C: Heavy work has thrust down on me changes the voice and introduces down, resulting in an unnatural and confusing sentence.
• Option D: No improvement ignores the irregular nature of thrust and incorrectly accepts thrusted.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often apply the regular ed pattern to all verbs, creating incorrect forms like costed, betted, or thrusted. Many common irregular verbs keep the same form in present, past, and past participle, such as cut, put, spread, and thrust. It is important to revise irregular verbs systematically and notice patterns in commonly tested words. Another pitfall is not noticing that a sentence is in the passive voice, leading to confusion about which verb form is required after has been or had been.

Final Answer:
The correct improved sentence is Heavy work has been thrust on me.