The river … across the plain

Analyze the question

The sentence is "The river ........ across the plain." We need the verb that best describes how a river moves across flat, open land.

Explain the concept

This is a test of vocabulary in context (word choice). Each option has a different meaning, so look at what each verb suggests:

• rolled: moves by turning over and over, like a ball or a wheel. Rivers don't normally "roll", though poetic usage sometimes exists.
• meandered: follows a winding, curving, twisting course. This is the classic verb for a river flowing slowly through flat land.
• trickled: flowed in a very thin, small stream. It describes a tiny amount of water, not a river crossing a whole plain.
• passed: too general. It doesn't describe the river's movement and is unusual with "river".

Show the solution

1. A plain is flat, open land.
2. On flat land, rivers flow slowly and form bends and curves.
3. The word that describes this winding course is meandered.
4. "The river meandered across the plain" is natural and idiomatic.

Identify the answer

The correct option is B. meandered.

Tip

Remember: meander = winding river. The word even comes from the Maeander, a famously winding river in ancient Turkey. In exams, when you see "river" and "plain", think "meander". Also watch for the other words: "trickle" goes with a small flow of water, and "roll" goes with a ball or a wheel.