For this question, select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.  He got a job by paying hush money.

Step 1: Analyze the question The sentence is "He got a job by paying hush money." We need the option that best explains what this means. The key phrase is "hush money."

Step 2: Explain the concept Hush money is money paid to someone to keep them quiet about something, or to stop them from revealing information. It is a form of payment given secretly, usually to buy silence or secure a favour. It is closely tied to bribery, since it is an illegal or improper payment made to influence an outcome.

Step 3: Work through the options

• A. He bribed to get the job. He made an improper payment to obtain the job. This is the closest match, because the payment was secret and improper and was used to gain an advantage. ✔
• B. He was induced to get the job. "Induced" means someone persuaded him. Here he is the one paying, so this is wrong.
• C. He paid exorbitant fee to get the job. An "exorbitant fee" is simply a very high legitimate charge. It does not carry the idea of secrecy or illegality, so this is wrong.
• D. He was paid for the job. This means he received money, but the sentence says he paid money. This is the reverse of the meaning, so it is wrong.

Step 4: Answer Option A is the best choice. Hush money is an improper, secret payment, and the closest idea among the options is bribery.

A note on precision: Strictly speaking, hush money is meant to buy silence, while a bribe is meant to buy a favour. In this sentence the payment led to him getting a job, so the sentence is effectively describing bribery.

Exam tip: In "best explains" questions, look at the direction of the action (who pays and who receives) and at the tone of the key phrase. Ask yourself whether the phrase is legal or illegal. Related phrases to remember are under the table, palm grease, kickback and hush money, all of which suggest secret or improper payment.