Since hard drugs are destroying our youths, our government has placed an … on them

Step 1: Analyze the question The sentence says hard drugs are destroying youths, so the government has done something to stop them. We need a word that fits "placed an ___ on them."

Step 2: Explain the concept The key is the collocation (words that naturally go together): "place an embargo on" something. An embargo is an official ban on trade or on a particular activity or item.

Let's check each option:

• A. Injunction: a court order that stops someone from doing something. It is usually issued by a court against a person or group, and we say "an injunction against" or "granted an injunction", not "placed an injunction on" drugs.
• B. Infringement: this means breaking a law or right, so it makes no sense here.
• C. Order: "placed an order" means requesting goods (as in ordering from a shop). "Placed an order on them" does not express a ban.
• D. Embargo: an official ban. "Placed an embargo on hard drugs" fits perfectly in both meaning and grammar.

Step 3: Solution The government wants to stop the circulation of hard drugs, so it bans them. The phrase "placed an embargo on" is the standard expression for this.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is D. embargo.

Exam Tip: Remember the pairing "embargo on". Whenever you see "placed/imposed/lifted an ___ on," think of embargo (e.g., an arms embargo, an oil embargo). In WASSCE Lexis and Structure questions, spotting collocations quickly can save you time.