The authorities have shown no sign of giving … to their demands.

Analyze the question: The sentence needs a particle that combines with "giving" to form a phrasal verb. It must fit with "to their demands."

Explain the concept: Phrasal verbs change meaning depending on the particle:

• give off = emit (smoke, smell, heat)
• give away = donate or reveal (a secret)
• give over = hand over or stop (e.g., "give over!")
• give in (to) = surrender or yield to pressure

Step by step:

1. The authorities are being pressed by "demands."
2. The sentence says there is "no sign" that they will do something about these demands. The natural meaning is that they will not yield or surrender.
3. The phrasal verb that takes "to" and means "yield" is give in to. • "give off to" makes no sense. • "give away to" does not fit; "give away" does not mean yield. • "give over to" means hand something over to someone, which does not suit "demands."
4. So the correct phrase is: "The authorities have shown no sign of giving in to their demands."

Tip: When you see "yield to pressure, demands, or threats," think give in to. Also remember "give up" (quit), "give out" (distribute or run out), and "give way" (collapse or yield) as other common phrasal verbs in WASSCE and JAMB.