The bus broke ___ on the way.

This question requires knowledge of phrasal verbs, specifically with “break.”

• Correct Option: B) down. The phrasal verb “break down” means to stop functioning or to fail, especially in reference to a machine or vehicle. When a bus “breaks down,” it means it has stopped working on the way.
• Distractor A) up: “Break up” means to separate or end a relationship.
• Distractor C) with: “Break with” means to end a relationship or tradition.
• Distractor D) in: “Break in” means to enter a building illegally or to interrupt.

Choosing the correct preposition is essential for conveying the intended meaning of phrasal verbs.