he never __________ the grandiose promises he had made.

[matrixone]

Choose the most appropriate word(s) from the options given below to complete the following
sentence.
We lost confidence in him because he never __________ the grandiose promises he had made.
(A) delivered
(B) delivered on
(C) forgot
(D) reneged on

I feel that "delivered" is the most appropriate. I don't know the rules, this is my intuitive answer.
Correct answer is given as (B)

Please explain with the rule; and some references to learn the basics for approaching this kind of questions will be grateful :)

[tedmc]

He did not deliver the promises but the things that he promised.

Thus, you say he did not deliver on(in respect of) his promises.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Choose the most appropriate word(s) from the options given below to complete the following
sentence.
We lost confidence in him because he never __________ the grandiose promises he had made.
(A) delivered No. You can't deliver a promise.
(B) delivered on Yes. Bingo!
(C) forgot No. If he never forgot his promises, you wouldn't have lost confidence in him.
(D) reneged on No. If he never reneged, you wouldn't have lost confidence in him.

I feel that "delivered" is the most appropriate. I don't know the rules, this is my intuitive answer.
Correct answer is given as (B) Yup!

Please explain the rule and and some references to learn the basics for approaching this kind of question. I will be grateful. :)

It think "delivered on" is simply idiomatic. I doubt there's a general rule that explains it.

If there is, one of our grammar cops will tell you what it is.

I hope that helps.

[jutfrank]

It think "delivered on" is simply idiomatic. I doubt there's a general rule that explains it.

I wouldn't say it's idiomatic. And there aren't any 'rules' here. I think tedmc explains it very well in post #2.