briefing vs. clearing

[Honda]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #37 "A Public Figure", question 6

His agent spent a lot of time ......... the press on his background in the hope that they would present a balanced view.

(a) training
(b) briefing
(c) showing
(d) clearing

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #37 "A Public Figure", answer 6

His agent spent a lot of time briefing the press on his background in the hope that they would present a balanced view.

Correct answer: (b) briefing
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CLEARING?

Honda

[Yankee]

Hi Honda

If you brief members of the press on or about something, you provide information about a particular topic to them.

If you clear members of the press, that might mean, for example, that you give your OK that members of the press are present. Or a judge might clear members of the press of a crime (i.e. the judge pronounces them innocent).

You cannot clear someone on a topic and that's why the word clearing does not fit the test sentence.

I hope that answers your question.
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Kati Svaby]

brief (v)

1 to give somebody information about something so that they are prepared to deal with it
brief somebody: I expect to be kept fully briefed at all times.

brief somebody on/about something
-The officer briefed her on what to expect. -this is the equivalent of our test.

2 brief somebody (to do something) (British English, law) to give a lawyer, especially a barrister, the main facts of a legal case so that it can be argued in court
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Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.