Fill in the blank in the sentence given below with the correct option.…
2018
Fill in the blank in the sentence given below with the correct option.
App-based on-line shopping is enticing. Even older people like my mother ________ it from time to time.
- A.
fall away
- B.
fall behind
- C.
fall for
- D.
fall upon
Attempted by 8 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept
A phrasal verb combines a verb with a particle, and the particle changes the meaning entirely, so each pairing must be learnt as a fixed unit. "Fall" joins different particles to give very different senses: being deceived or attracted, declining, lagging, or attacking.
Application
The sentence describes shopping that is enticing — something with a strong pull that people are drawn into despite themselves. The phrase "fall for" means to be taken in by, or strongly attracted to, something appealing. Plugged in, "Even older people like my mother fall for it from time to time" reads naturally: they give in to the tempting offers now and then.
Contrast
Contrasting the other particle pairings shows why they do not fit:
"fall away" — to gradually diminish or drift off; suits fading support, not a person being tempted.
"fall behind" — to fail to keep pace; suits a deadline or a race, not an enticement.
"fall upon" — to attack, or to come across by chance; neither matches being lured by an offer.
So the pairing that captures being tempted by enticing shopping is "fall for".