After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation…

Step 1: Analyze the question The question tests your knowledge of idioms. The phrase to interpret is "under a cloud", used in the context of a fraud scandal.

Step 2: Explain the concept "Under a cloud" is an idiom meaning to be suspected of wrongdoing, or to be in disgrace or disfavour. A cloud blocks sunlight, so the person's reputation is "darkened" by doubt or suspicion.

Step 3: Work through the options

• A. Unhappy: The accountant may well feel unhappy, but this is a feeling and not the meaning of the idiom.
• B. Under suspicion: This fits. A fraud scandal makes people suspect the accountant of wrongdoing, and this is exactly what "under a cloud" means.
• C. Worried: This is also a possible feeling, but it is not what the idiom means.
• D. Under supervision: This sounds similar because of "under", but being watched or supervised is not what the idiom means.

Step 4: Answer The context of a "fraud scandal" points directly to suspicion. The correct answer is B. under suspicion.

Tip: For idiom questions, use the context clues in the sentence. Words like "fraud" and "scandal" point to suspicion or disgrace, not to emotions. Also be careful with distractors that copy a word from the idiom, like "under supervision".