From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word or group of words as it…

Analyze the question: The sentence is: "If your grades don't improve, I shall have no option ___ to move you to another school." We need the word that correctly completes the idiom.

Concept: The expression "have no option but to + verb" (like "have no choice but to") is a fixed English idiom. Here, "but" means "except" or "other than."

Checking each option:

• A. than: "no option than to" is wrong. "Than" is used in comparisons (e.g. "more than"), and "no option" is not a comparison. (Note that "no option other than to" would be correct, but "than" alone is not.)
• B. except: This is close in meaning, but "no option except to" is not the standard idiom. It sounds unnatural, and the examiners are testing the fixed expression.
• C. besides: "Besides" means "in addition to," which gives the opposite meaning here, so it is wrong.
• D. but: "have no option but to move you" is the correct idiom. Here "but" works as a preposition meaning "except."

Solution: "...I shall have no option but to move you to another school."

Tip: Memorize the fixed phrases: "have no choice but to," "have no option but to," and "cannot help but." Whenever you see "no choice/option ___ to," think but. In WASSCE and JAMB English, idioms and fixed expressions are tested often, so learn them as complete chunks.