got caught up vs were stuck ...

[majidkh]

Hello

Would you please tell me which word(s) fit(s) best in the blank space?

Two Mount Holyoke College students had to be rescued after trapping themselves inside a dumbwaiter overnight.
The students ...... around 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday at Safford Hall.

1- got caught up 2- were stuck 3- got hung up 4- got tied up 5- were held up

Thanks a lot

[Joe]

1, 3 and 4 are all possible. 1 is the most likely.

The above refer to a specific action/event, which we need because we have a specific time (1.30am). The others refer to a state, which extends over a period of time (eg, They were stuck for 6 hours).

[ETutor]

There could also be other choices that would work. For example, the phrase “got stuck” would work well here. Also, the phrase “were trapped” might be appropriate.