Conceptual understanding among students is likely to improve in the settings which emphasise on

The correct option is inquiry and dialogue.

Explanation:

Conceptual understanding refers to a deep, meaningful comprehension of underlying concepts, principles, and relations rather than simple memorization of facts or procedures.

When learning environments emphasize inquiry and dialogue, students are encouraged to ask questions, explore ideas, test hypotheses, and actively discuss concepts with peers and teachers. This active engagement fosters critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and deeper mental connections with the subject matter.

Why other options are less effective:

• Competitions: Often foster anxiety or focus on winning rather than deep comprehension and collaborative learning.

• Textbook-centric pedagogy: Tends to promote rote learning and passive absorption of information without encouraging active reasoning.

• Frequent examinations: Usually encourage studying solely for test performance (memorization for marks) rather than building long-term conceptual clarity.