Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.
Do you ever pick _ _ _ _ _ hitchhikers?
a) Along
b) Down
c) In
d) Up

Answer 1

Hint: The given options are prepositions and pick along with pick would make phrasal verbs. Choose the correct phrasal verb as per the sentence and its usage.

Complete answer:
Let us look at each preposition that we have in the options and pick the correct one. The options that we have above, add up to the verb ‘pick’ to form different phrasal verbs. Option a ‘along’ would form the phrasal verb ‘pick-along’ which means to take someone or something into a ship, car, or into one’s observation. ‘pick along’ would require another preposition ‘with’ after it in order to make sense in the above-given sentence. Thus, option ‘a’ is incorrect.
Option b ‘down’ would form the phrasal; verb ‘pick down’ which is the incorrect usage of the given preposition as down is not used with a pick. Therefore, option ‘b’ is incorrect
Option c ‘in’ would form the phrasal verb ‘pick in’ means to work into a painting with a sharp tool. The usage of this phrasal verb in the sentence is incorrect as one cannot ‘pick in’ hitchhikers. Thus, the option ‘c’ is incorrect.
Option d ‘up’ would form the phrasal verb ‘pick-up’ with the verb pick. The phrasal verb ‘pick-up’ means to pick someone or something from one place into one’s car or some other vehicle and take them somewhere else. The preposition ‘up’ has been used correctly. Thus, option ‘d’ is the correct answer.

Note:
Even though phrasal verbs apart from the correct answer exist too (except) pick-down) but the usage of the other two must be checked as per the context of the given sentence.