After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the…

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the meaning of the idiom "went scot-free" in the sentence: "The boy went scot-free even though he insulted his teacher."

Step 2: Explain the concept "Scot-free" means escaping without punishment, harm, or payment. It comes from the old word "scot," meaning a tax or payment. To go "scot-free" was to be let off without paying the tax, and today it means getting away without any penalty.

Step 3: Work through the sentence

• The phrase "even though he insulted his teacher" shows contrast. You would normally expect the boy to be punished for insulting a teacher.
• "Went scot-free" tells us that, surprisingly, he escaped the consequences.

Step 4: Check each option

• A. not punished: Correct. This is the exact meaning of "scot-free."
• B. free to move about: This is a literal reading of "free" and misses the idiom.
• C. expelled from school: This is a severe punishment, the opposite of scot-free.
• D. cautioned seriously: A serious caution is still a form of punishment or sanction, so this is wrong.

Answer: A. not punished

Exam tip: For idioms, look at the connecting words. "Even though" signals a contrast, so the result must be the opposite of what you would expect. Also remember that "scot-free" always means "without punishment or penalty."