Four persons accused with currency ------------------ are being held by the securing agents

Analyze the question The sentence needs the correct spelling of the word that completes the phrase "accused with currency __". This is a spelling and word-form question. The phrase refers to the illegal trade in currency, so we need the noun/gerund form "trafficking".

Explain the concept When a word ends in "-c" and we add a suffix beginning with "e", "i" or "y" (such as -ing), we insert a "k" after the "c". This keeps the "c" sounding hard, as in /k/, and not soft, as in /s/.

• traffic → trafficking
• panic → panicking
• picnic → picnicking
• mimic → mimicking

Step-by-step solution

1. The base word is traffic (spelled with double "f" and ending in "c").
2. The sentence needs an "-ing" form: "accused with currency trafficking" (the act of illegally dealing in currency).
3. Add "k" before "-ing" to keep the hard "c" sound: traffic + k + ing = trafficking.
4. Check the options: • A. traficking: only one "f", so it is wrong. • B. trafiking: one "f" and no "c", so it is wrong. • C. trafficking: double "f", then "c", "k", "ing". This is correct. • D. traffic: this is the base noun. "Currency traffic" does not convey the criminal act, and the usual phrase is "currency trafficking".

Answer: C. trafficking

Exam tip Remember "double F, then CK" for trafficking. Any word ending in "-c" takes a "k" before "-ing" or "-ed" (panic → panicked, picnic → picnicking). It also helps to remember the related word "drug trafficking".