Verbal Ability/Word-usage Practice

Verbal Ability/Word-usage 7 / 50

Choose the option in which the usage of the word is incorrect or inappropriate: draw

A. The government's new policy proposals are likely to draw fire from opposition parties.
B. After hours of intense deliberation, the jury was still drawing a blank on a verdict.
C. Researchers had to draw in their prior knowledge to interpret the obscure data.
D. The marathon runner had to draw upon every last ounce of his stamina to finish the race.

The incorrect or inappropriate usage of the word "draw" is in option C: "Researchers had to draw in their prior knowledge to interpret the obscure data."
Why it's wrong:
The standard idiomatic expression for utilizing resources, experience, or information is "to draw on" or "to draw upon," meaning to make use of something available. The phrase "draw in" does not carry this meaning; instead, it typically refers to attracting or involving someone, or to making something smaller or shorter.
Corrected sentence:
"Researchers had to draw on their prior knowledge to interpret the obscure data."

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