Correct Answer:
B. Dreads
This question tests vocabulary and understanding of common idioms. The phrase "A burnt child ______ the fire" is a well-known proverb, meaning that someone who has had a painful or unpleasant experience will be cautious or fearful of similar situations in the future.
- The correct word to complete this idiom is Dreads. "Dreads" means to anticipate with great apprehension or fear. A child who has been burned by fire will naturally fear it.
- Flame (A) is a noun referring to the visible gaseous part of a fire; it does not fit grammatically or semantically as a verb here.
- Destroy (C) is a verb meaning to ruin or put an end to something. While one might want to destroy a fire, the idiom refers to the child's emotional reaction, not an action against the fire itself.
- Afraid (D) is an adjective, meaning feeling fear or apprehension. The sentence structure requires a verb, not an adjective. To use "afraid," the sentence would need to be "A burnt child is afraid of the fire."
Therefore, "dreads" is the only word that correctly completes the idiom and fits the grammatical structure and meaning of the sentence.