Question

Fill in the blank with the most suitable word:
The hedge has become a little untidy after the monsoon. I think I’ll call the gardener to _____ the edges a bit.
a) thin
b) prim
c) slim
d) prune

Answer 1

Hint: A verb is a content word that denotes an action, occurrence, or state of existence. A verb is the word class that serves as the predicate of a sentence.

Complete answer:
In the given question, we have to select the verb that will make the bushes tidy.
Let us thus analyze the options given to us in this question-
Option (a.), 'thin', refers to ‘lose thickness; become thin or thinner’.
Therefore, option (a.) is incorrect as thinning the bushes will not make them tidy.
Option (b.), ‘prim', refers to ‘assume a refined and proper appearance’.
Therefore, option (b.) is incorrect as ‘prim’ is usually used for people and not non-living things like bushes.
Option (c.), ‘slim', refers to ‘take-off weight’.
Therefore, option (c.) is incorrect as ‘slimming’ the bushes will not make them tidy.
Option (d.), ‘prune', refers to ‘cultivate, tend, and cut back the growth of’.
Therefore, option (d.) is incorrect as pruning the bushes will allow them to lose their untidy appearance.

Note:
In this question, it will be helpful for the student to recall the etymology of the ‘prune’. Prune came from Old French prune, from Latin prūnum, from Ancient Greek προῦνον (pronoun), variant of προῦμνον (proumnon, “plum”).