Question

Fill in blank no. (12) ______ with the most appropriate option:

• A. Lower
• B. Cut
• C. Bring
• D. Gel

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Cut

A phrasal verb is formed using a verb and a preposition or an adverb. Their meaning is different from the literal meaning of the words.
We require a word for blank no. 12 "...recycle more rubbish but also to _____ down on the amount of rubbish we produce in the first place."
Option B: The verb 'cut' forms a phrasal verb with the preposition 'down': 'cut down'.
'To cut down' means 'to reduce an amount of something'. The meaning is relevant here, as it means that 'we need to reduce the amount of rubbish we produce in the first place'.
Hence option B is correct.
Option A: 'Lower' in 'lower down' means 'to make lower in height or level'. It refers to physically bringing someone to a lower position, and does not relate to the given sentence.
Option C: 'Bring' forms a phrasal verb 'bring down'. It has a similar meaning to 'cut down', which is, 'to reduce the level or amount of something'. But it does not form a coherent sentence over here. We can say 'bring down something', we can't say 'bring down 'on' something'. Because of the use of 'on' in the sentence ("down on the amount of rubbish"), this option isn't suitable.
Option D: 'Gel' does not form a phrasal verb with 'down'. The meaning 'gel down' is ambiguous and does not form a complete thought in the sentence.
Hence options A, C and D are incorrect.