After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations are given. choose the interpretation…

Analyze the question The sentence uses the idiom "cover much ground." You are asked to pick the interpretation that best matches its meaning in the context of a conference.

Explain the concept "To cover ground" means to deal with, discuss, or make progress through a wide range of topics or material. "Much ground" means a large amount of material was dealt with. It is figurative, so it has nothing to do with physical land or space.

Step-by-step solution

• A. discussed some issues: "some" is too weak. "Much ground" suggests many issues, not just a few.
• B. treated many issues: "treated" means dealt with (as in treating a topic), and "many" matches "much ground". This fits well.
• C. used a lot of space: this is a literal reading, which the idiom does not carry.
• D. argued about many things: it adds the idea of arguing, which the sentence never mentions. Covering ground is about dealing with topics, not quarrelling.

Answer: B. treated many issues.

Tip: For idiom questions, drop the literal meaning first and ask what the phrase means figuratively. Then watch the quantity words. "Much" points to "many", not "some". Also avoid options that add ideas not in the sentence, such as "argued".