While the worshippers closed their eyes in prayer, a thief made … with the collection

Analyze the question The sentence needs a particle that completes a phrasal verb meaning "to escape/steal and flee with something." The thief took the collection (money) while people were praying.

Explain the concept The phrasal verb "make away with" means to steal something and escape with it (or to carry something off). Let's check the other options:

• make up with – reconcile with someone (not suitable, and "with the collection" wouldn't make sense). Also "make up" means to invent or to apply cosmetics.
• make by with – not a valid phrasal verb in English.
• make through with – not a valid phrasal verb. ("Make it through" means to survive, but that doesn't fit.)

Solution Insert each option:

• "a thief made away with the collection" ✔ natural and idiomatic
• "a thief made up with the collection" ✘
• "a thief made by with the collection" ✘
• "a thief made through with the collection" ✘

So the sentence reads: While the worshippers closed their eyes in prayer, a thief made away with the collection.

Answer: A. away

Tip Remember "make away with" = steal and escape. Similar phrasal verbs for theft: run off with, walk off with, get away with. In JAMB English, when a gap follows a verb and precedes "with," think of fixed phrasal verbs and eliminate options that don't form a recognizable one.