After each of the following sentence, a list of possible interpretations is given. choose the interpretation…

Step 1: Analyze the question The sentence uses the idiom "to save his face." We are asked what the young man's action means.

Step 2: Explain the concept "To save face" is an idiom meaning to avoid public embarrassment, humiliation, or loss of respect. It has nothing to do with the physical face. (The opposite is "to lose face," meaning to suffer disgrace.)

Step 3: Work through the options

• A. wanted to avoid disgrace: This matches the idiom exactly. Paying the debt quickly stopped him from being shamed as someone who does not pay what he owes.
• B. did not want to be slapped: This reads "face" literally. Nothing in the sentence suggests violence.
• C. wanted to preserve his looks: This is also a literal reading of "face," and it makes no sense in the context of paying a debt.
• D. did not want to be a debtor: This is tempting because he did pay the debt. But it only restates the action. The phrase "to save his face" gives the reason for paying, which is to protect his reputation and dignity, not simply to be free of debt.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is A.

Exam tip: When you see a body part in a sentence on interpretation, check whether it is an idiom. "Save face" means to protect your dignity, and "lose face" means to be disgraced. Avoid the literal options, which are usually the distractors.