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

Analyze the question: The sentence uses the idiom "jump the gun" and asks what it means in the context of an athlete who was disqualified.

Explain the concept: "To jump the gun" is an idiom that comes from track and field races. A starter fires a gun to signal the start of a race. An athlete who begins running before the gun is fired has "jumped the gun" (a false start). In general English, it means to do something too early or before the proper time.

Solution, step by step:

1. The athlete was disqualified, so she broke a rule about starting.
2. Let's test each option: • A. on time: If she started on time, she would not be disqualified. ✗ • B. hurriedly: This describes the manner (speed or rush), not the timing. She may not have started in a hurry at all, she simply started early. ✗ • C. without permission: This is close in a loose sense, but the idiom is specifically about timing, not about permission. ✗ • D. too soon: She started before the signal, which is exactly what "jumped the gun" means. ✓

Answer: The correct option is D. too soon.

Tip: For idiom questions, think about the origin of the phrase. "Jump the gun" comes from racing, where you start before the starting shot. Whenever you see it, think "too early". Do not confuse it with "in a hurry". The key idea is timing, not speed.