Questão 211675

The concept of collocations is fundamental to achieving a level of English that transcends mere grammatical correctness and reaches the realm of natural fluency. Native speakers do not simply select words from a mental dictionary based on definitions alone; they rely on habitual co-occurrences that have become standardized over centuries of linguistic evolution. For instance, while 'fast' and 'quick' are often listed as synonyms, their usage in specific pairs like 'fast food' and 'a quick shower' is non-negotiable for a natural-sounding discourse. This phenomenon, known as the 'Naturalness Test', differentiates a learner who translates from their native language from one who processes the language in 'chunks'. Considering the nuances of lexical collocations, identify the alternative that correctly completes the sentence: The board of directors was ______ disappointed by the quarterly results, as they had expected a significant surge in profits.