Practice

The correct answer is option 4.

Key Points

• To answer this question, let's first understand the meaning of the word given in the question:
• Practice: (Noun) the actual application or use of an idea, belief, or method, as opposed to theories relating to it; repeated exercise in or performance of an activity or skill so as to acquire or maintain proficiency in it. (Verb) perform (an activity) repeatedly so as to acquire or maintain proficiency in it.
• Now, let's examine the given sentences:
• Sentence 1: He would practice for his basketball match for hours every day.
  • This sentence uses "practice" as a verb, which is correct. However, in American English, the verb form is "practice," while in British English, it is "practise." Given the standard competitive exam context, "practice" as a verb is generally accepted. Let's check other options.
• Sentence 2: Our neighbour has been practicing acupuncture for a long time.
  • This sentence uses "practicing" as a verb, which is correct. "Practicing a profession" is a common usage.
• Sentence 3: As she practiced, the sound of music filled the halls.
  • This sentence uses "practiced" as a verb (past tense), which is correct.
• Sentence 4: It is a not good practice to repeat old mistakes.
  • This sentence uses "practice" as a noun, referring to a custom or habit, which is correct usage. The phrase "not good practice" is grammatically sound.

The question asks for the only one in which the word is used correctly. This implies that there might be a subtle distinction, often related to the noun vs. verb form of 'practice/practise'. In American English: Practice (noun): a custom, habit, or repeated action. Practice (verb): to perform an activity repeatedly to improve skill. In British English: Practice (noun): a custom, habit, or repeated action. Practise (verb): to perform an activity repeatedly to improve skill. Given the options: "He would practice for his basketball match for hours every day." - This is the verb form. In British English, it would be "practise." In American English, it's correct. "Our neighbour has been practicing acupuncture for a long time." - This is the verb form (present participle). In British English, it would be "practising." In American English, it's correct. "As she practiced, the sound of music filled the halls." - This is the verb form (past tense). In British English, it would be "practised." In American English, it's correct. "It is a not good practice to repeat old mistakes." - This uses "practice" as a noun, referring to a custom or habit. This usage of "practice" as a noun is correct in both American and British English. Often in such questions, if there's a distinction between the 'ce' and 'se' spellings for noun/verb, the one that is universally correct as a noun or verb across both major English dialects is preferred if others hinge on a specific dialect. In this case, "practice" as a noun is universally spelled "practice" in both US and UK English. The verb form (practice/practise) differs. Since option 4 uses "practice" as a noun, and its usage is correct and unambiguous across both dialects, it is arguably the most "correct" or universally accepted usage compared to the verb forms that might have a dialectal spelling variation. Let's assume the question implicitly prefers the most universally correct usage or checks for the noun vs. verb distinction commonly confused. The word given is "Practice". "It is a not good practice to repeat old mistakes." -> Here, "practice" is a noun. This is correct in both US and UK English. If the intention of the question is to identify the singular correct usage when one spelling is only for the noun form, then option 4 stands out. Therefore, the correct answer is "Option 4".