To solve the inequality \( k + 1 < -3 \), we first isolate \( k \):
- Subtract 1 from both sides: \[ k + 1 - 1 < -3 - 1 \] \[ k < -4 \]
Thus, the solution to the inequality is \( k < -4 \).
The correct option that expresses this solution is: \[ {k: k < -4} \] (left brace k colon k less than negative 4 right brace).