The … of the asylum sang a song for the President.

Analyze the question We need the word that best fits "The ____ of the asylum sang a song for the President." The key word is asylum, an institution (traditionally a mental hospital or a home for the destitute or orphans). So we need the word that is normally used for people living in such an institution.

Explain the concept These four words are near-synonyms, but each has its own collocation:

• Inmates: people confined to or living in an institution such as a prison, asylum, hospital or orphanage.
• Occupants: people who simply occupy a room, building or vehicle at a given time. It is neutral and general.
• Residents: people who live permanently in a town, area or estate (e.g. "residents of Lagos", "residents of the estate").
• Tenants: people who pay rent to a landlord for a house, flat or shop.

Solution

1. An asylum is an institution, not an ordinary residential house or estate.
2. Tenants are ruled out because they pay rent, and asylum dwellers are not renters.
3. Occupants and residents are possible in general English, but they are not the standard words for people in an institution.
4. The word that collocates with institutions like asylums, prisons and orphanages is inmates.

Correct sentence: "The inmates of the asylum sang a song for the President."

Answer: A. inmates

Exam tip Link the words to their places:

• inmates → prison, asylum, institution
• residents → town, estate, neighbourhood
• tenants → rented house or shop
• occupants → a room, seat or vehicle

Whenever you see "asylum", "prison" or "orphanage", think inmates.