The following sentence has been split into four segments. Identify the segment that contains an inappropriately used preposition.
The chameleon can remain very still / on a branch for hours / and it can shoot off its tongue /to a distance of 10 centimetres.

The answer is Option A. It should be It can shoot out its tongue rather than shoot off.

Shoot off: This phrasal verb typically implies detachment or removal. For example, we might say, “He shot off an email” (meaning he sent an email quickly). However, in the context of the chameleon’s tongue, “shoot off” doesn’t convey the intended action accurately. It suggests detachment rather than extension.

Shoot out: This phrasal verb means rapidly extending or projecting something outward. When we say the chameleon can “shoot out its tongue,” we’re describing the quick, precise movement of its tongue as it catches prey. The emphasis here is on the action of extending the tongue.
Therefore, the correct phrase is “It can shoot out its tongue,” emphasizing the rapid extension of the chameleon’s tongue to catch insects.