In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase printed in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/ phrase as your answer.
At first, there was a show of resistance to the new rule issued by the Government, but the movement had no backbone and speedily collapsed.
The minister assured the agitating employees that he would look into their demands sympathetically.
In the following questioins, a part of the sentence is printed in bold. Below are given alternatives to the bold part at (a), (b) and (c) which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. In case no improvement is needed, your answer is (d).
When we see black smoke near the wing of the plane, we were certain that disaster was imminent.