Please sit on the … ? — Choose the option that best completes the gap(s)

Analyze the question: The sentence "Please sit on the ....... ?" needs a word that fits a seat. The options look like spellings of "career" and "carrier," so this tests spelling and word meaning.

Examine the options:

• A. carier: misspelt, not a word.
• B. career: a real word meaning one's profession or life's work. You can't sit on it.
• C. carrier: a real word meaning a person or thing that carries something. It includes the luggage rack on a bicycle, where someone can sit.
• D. carrear: misspelt, not a word.

Working it out: Only B and C are correctly spelt words. "Career" doesn't make sense with "sit on." "Carrier" does, because on a bicycle people often sit on the carrier, the rack behind the saddle. It's a very common sight in Nigeria, so the sentence is sensible.

Answer: C. carrier

Tip: In spelling questions, first remove the options that aren't real words. Then test the remaining ones for meaning. Remember: carrier comes from carry (carry → carrier, with double r), while career has "ee" like "keen".