Fill in the Gap The press will no longer be free when the new government starts to ------— newspapers

Analyze the question The sentence says the press will "no longer be free" once the new government starts to __ newspapers. We need a verb that describes a government restricting press freedom.

Explain the concept This question tests two commonly confused words:

• Censure (verb) means to criticize someone formally and severely, or to express strong disapproval. Example: The senate voted to censure the minister.
• Censor (verb) means to examine books, newspapers, films, etc. and remove or suppress material considered objectionable, sensitive, or politically unacceptable. Example: The regime censored the newspapers.

Solution

• A. censure: This means to criticize. Criticism does not remove the press's freedom, so it doesn't fit well.
• B. edit: Editing is a normal newspaper function and doesn't imply a loss of freedom.
• C. publish: Publishing is what a free press does, so this contradicts the idea of lost freedom.
• D. censor: This means controlling or suppressing what newspapers print, which is exactly what makes the press "no longer free".

The correct sentence is: The press will no longer be free when the new government starts to censor newspapers.

Answer: D (censor)

Tip: Remember that censor has an "o" like "control", and censure has a "u" like "blame." If a question is about restricting or cutting out content, choose censor. If it's about criticizing or blaming, choose censure.