This means he did it without … of the risks

Analyze the question The idiom "without a second thought" means doing something without careful thinking or hesitation. The sentence says he did not give the risks any careful thought before going. We need the option that best matches that meaning.

Explain the concept "Without a second thought" = acting immediately, without pausing to think the matter over or weigh it up. It does not mean the person was ignorant of the risks. It means he did not stop to think about them properly.

Step-by-step solution

• A. a clear understanding: This is about understanding, not about thinking things over. He may have understood the risks but ignored them. Not the best fit.
• B. a re-assessment: This means assessing again. "Second thought" might seem to point to this, but the idiom is not about repeating an earlier assessment. It is about not giving the matter any serious consideration.
• C. a recollection: This means remembering. It has nothing to do with the idiom.
• D. a proper consideration: This means careful thought about something. It matches the idea that he did not stop to think carefully about the risks.
• E. any previous knowledge: This is about knowing beforehand. The idiom is not about knowledge.

Answer Option D is the best interpretation. He undertook the journey without proper consideration of the risks.

Exam tip For idiom questions, don't translate word for word. "Second thought" does not literally mean a "re-assessment". Ask what the whole phrase means in everyday use: "without a second thought" = "without thinking carefully". Then pick the option closest to that meaning.