Choose the best option that best completes the gap(s) The delegates were given_____

Analyze the question The sentence needs a correct compound adjective that describes the noun "break". The question tests hyphenation and the singular form of a unit of measurement when it is used as an adjective.

Explain the concept When a number and a unit of time, length, or weight come together to modify a noun, they form a compound adjective. Two rules apply:

1. The words are joined with a hyphen.
2. The unit stays singular, even when the number is more than one. An adjective does not take a plural form in English.

Examples:

• a five-year plan (not "a five-years plan")
• a three-day workshop
• a ten-kilometre race

Step-by-step solution

• The noun is "break", and "two-hour" describes how long it is.
• Following the rules, we write "two-hour" with a hyphen and with "hour" in the singular.

Checking the options:

• A. a two hour break: the hyphen is missing. ✗
• B. a two-hour break: hyphenated and singular. ✓
• C. a two-hours break: the hyphen is there, but "hours" is wrongly plural. ✗
• D. a two hours break: no hyphen and wrongly plural. ✗

The correct sentence is: The delegates were given a two-hour break.

Tip When a number + unit comes before a noun, hyphenate it and keep the unit singular. If the unit comes after the noun, it can be plural: "The break was two hours long." Compare "a two-hour break" with "a break of two hours."