Last evening I was held up at the meeting. A. kept B. detained C. stopped D. delayed

The correct answer is: D. delayed

To “hold up” something or someone means to make them late or prevent them from moving forward. In this case, the speaker was delayed at the meeting, which means they arrived late or were unable to leave on time.

The other options are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the situation.

• A. kept means to have something or someone in one’s possession or under one’s control. In this case, the speaker was not kept at the meeting; they were simply delayed.
• B. detained means to arrest or keep someone in custody. In this case, the speaker was not detained at the meeting; they were simply delayed.
• C. stopped means to prevent someone or something from continuing on their way. In this case, the speaker was not stopped at the meeting; they were simply delayed.