We had to look … the word in the dictionary.

Analyze the question: The sentence needs a word that combines with "look" to give the meaning of searching for a word's meaning in a dictionary. This tests your knowledge of phrasal verbs.

Explain the concept: A phrasal verb is a verb joined with a preposition or adverb, and the combination has its own meaning. "Look" changes meaning depending on the word that follows it:

• look at = direct your eyes toward something
• look for = search for something
• look after = take care of
• look up = search for information in a reference book, such as a dictionary
• look into = investigate

Solution, option by option:

• A. "look with the word": not an idiomatic phrase, so it makes no sense here.
• B. "look on the word": "look on" means to watch without taking part, so it does not fit.
• C. "look at the word": this means to gaze at it, but it doesn't say we were finding its meaning. We look up a word in the dictionary.
• D. "look up the word": this means to search for the word in a reference book, which is exactly what the sentence describes.

The complete sentence is: "We had to look up the word in the dictionary."

Tip: Whenever you see dictionary, encyclopedia, directory, or phone number, think "look up". For example: "Look up the meaning of 'benevolent' in your dictionary."