Option 1 -> (A)-(III), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(II) - Incorrect matching: "beat out" doesn't fit with storm context in (B).
Option 2 -> (A)-(III), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(II) - Correct matching: "bear out" confirms claims, "beat down" describes storm's force, "beat out" means defeating competitors, "bear on" means affecting understanding.
Option 3 -> (A)-(I), (B)-(II), (C)-(IV), (D)-(III) - Incorrect: "beat out" doesn't fit evidence confirming innocence in (A).
Option 4 -> (A)-(II), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(III) - Incorrect: "bear on" doesn't work with confirming claims in (A).
Hence, Option 2 -> The phrasal verbs are correctly matched: "bear out" (confirm/support), "beat down" (strike forcefully), "beat out" (defeat competitors), and "bear on" (relate to/affect) all fit their respective sentence contexts perfectly -> correct