This means that Njoku’s father was …

1. Analyze the question The expression "kicked the bucket" is an idiom, meaning its meaning is not found in the individual words. You are asked to give the figurative meaning in the sentence: "Njoku's father kicked the bucket yesterday."

2. Explain the concept An idiom is a fixed expression whose meaning differs from the literal meaning of its words. "Kicked the bucket" has nothing to do with kicking or buckets. It is an informal, slightly humorous way of saying that someone died.

Other common idioms for death include:

• passed away
• breathed his last
• gave up the ghost

3. Step-by-step solution

• Literal reading: someone physically kicked a bucket. This makes no sense as an explanation of what happened to a person's father.
• Figurative reading: the phrase describes something that happened to Njoku's father, and the common idiomatic meaning is "to die."
• Check the options: • A. a bit careless: no link to the idiom • B. angry: no link (kicking a bucket in anger is only the literal reading) • C. dead: matches the idiom • D. in a hurry: no link • E. impatient: no link

4. Answer The correct option is C. dead.

5. Exam tip In idiom questions, don't be tempted by the literal meaning. Ask yourself, "Does this phrase make sense word for word?" If not, it's likely an idiom. Learn idioms in groups (for example, idioms about death, anger, or money) to remember them faster. Note that "kicked the bucket" is informal, so avoid it in formal essays or letters. Use "passed away" instead.