At the terminus, all the passengers on the train will have to ________

Analyze the question The sentence is about passengers on a train reaching the terminus (the last stop). We need the verb that is idiomatically used when passengers leave a train or bus.

Explain the concept These four verbs have similar meanings, but they are used in different contexts:

• Alight: to get off a train, bus, or other public transport. It is the standard word for passengers leaving a train or bus. It is also followed by "from": "alight from the bus."
• Disembark: to leave a ship, aircraft, or boat (sometimes used for planes and large vessels). It is not usually used for trains.
• Descend: to go down (stairs, a hill, a mountain). It does not mean getting off a vehicle.
• Dismount: to get off something you ride astride, such as a horse, bicycle, or motorcycle.

Step-by-step solution

1. The vehicle is a train, so we need a word for leaving public land transport.
2. Disembark is mostly for ships and aircraft, so B is less suitable.
3. Descend means moving downward, which does not fit.
4. Dismount is for horses and bicycles, so it does not fit.
5. Alight is the correct word for getting off a train.

Completed sentence: At the terminus, all the passengers on the train will have to alight.

Answer: A. alight

Exam tip: Match the verb to the vehicle:

• Train or bus → alight
• Ship or plane → disembark
• Horse or bicycle → dismount
• Stairs or hill → descend