English Questions: Fill in the Blanks 162

Directions(1-5): A statement with one blank is given below. Choose the set of words from the given options which can be used to fill the given blank.

1. The problem is that scientists have struggled to ________________ just how quickly the polar ice sheets are melting.
   I. nail down
   II. establish
   III. bite the nail
   Only I
   Only III
   Both I and II
   Both II and III
   All I, II and III
   Option C
   Both options I and II provide grammatically and contextually correct filler. ller. The phrases III do not make sense when fitted in the blank. ‘Nail down’ means establish conclusively, ‘bite the nail’ means be worried or apprehensive.
   
    



2. The U.S. first disbanded the Iraqi military, leaving tens of thousands of soldiers jobless overnight, which _____________.
   I. posed a security threat
   II. threatened security
   III. gave rise to secure
   Only I
   Only II
   Both I and II
   Both I and III
   All of these
   Option C
   Option i is correct as it begins with the verb ‘posed’ and gives us the consequence of the mentioned act.
   Option ii is correct as it begins with the verb ‘threatened’, and tells us of what happened next.
   Option iii is incorrect as although it begins with the verb ‘gave’, it ends with the adjective ‘secure’, which is not modifying anything.
   
    



3. When Henry saw Colleen at the airport, she seemed de􀁾ated, smaller in the wheelchair, ____________________ her leg had been taken from her.
   I. as if more than
   II. like excess of
   III. such as most of
   Only I
   Only I and II
   Both II and III
   Both I and III
   None of the above
   Option A
   The only option I provide grammatically and contextually correct filler. The phrases II and III do not make sense when fitted in the blank. The reason is that a leg is a leg; there’s no measure to it like more or less. What the sentence wants to say is that more than just Colleen’s leg had been taken away from her, but what II and III mean that some measured part – more or less, has been taken away, which will not make any sense.
   
    



4. While the economic loss could have been worse, analysts worry about workers in Mexico City, who suffered the __________________.
   I. Impact of the closure
   II. Brunt of the shutdown
   III. Consequences of the shut
   Only I and III
   Both II and III
   Both I and II
   Only I
   Only II
   Option C
   Both options I and II provide grammatically and contextually correct filler. The phrases III do not make sense when fitted in the blank. The reason is that ‘shut’ is a verb and does not fit with ‘consequences of the’.
   
    



5. Experts say that a lack of awareness and training about cervical cancers ________________ for suboptimal surgeries.
   I. primarily leads to
   II. is the primary reason
   III. gives rises to
   Both II and III
   Only I
   Only II
   Only III
   All of these
   Option C
   We need a phrase here that means to lead or to cause, as the first half of the sentence gives us the cause (lack of awareness and training about cervical cancers) and the second half gives the effect (suboptimal surgeries).
   Only option ii is grammatically and contextually correct.
   Options i and iii are incorrect as they carry the preposition ‘to’ and it cannot be followed by preposition ‘for’.
   
    



6. For a country that claims ___________ to ahimsa, India’s treatment of its animals betrays a moral failure.
   I) Adherence
   II) Constancy
   III) Endurance
   Only I
   Both I and II
   Only II
   Only III
   Both II and III
   Option B
   “Adherence” and “Constancy” are synonyms and both means “attached” or “being loyal to” which are suitable for the blank contextually. “Endurance” which means “persistence” is irrelevant to the context.
   
    



7. What strikes you the most when you enter Parliament now is __________ .
   I) Blank
   II) Chasm
   III) Emptiness
   Only I
   Only II
   Only III
   Both I and II
   Both II and III
   Option E
   Though grammatically all the three words “blank”, “chasm” and “emptiness” means “vacuum” or “hollowness” the usage of the word “blank” is different from other two words and therefore, ‘blank’ is not suitable for the blank space. “Chasm” and “emptiness” are contextually fit for the blank.
   
    



8. The minister’s statement came at ___________ when chances of tax cuts appeared remote, so it surprised many.
   I) Juncture
   II) Fluke
   III) Exigency
   Only I
   Only II
   Both I and III
   Both II and III
   Both I and II
   Option C
   “Juncture” or “exigency” means “crucial time” or “emergency” that is suitable for the blank contextually. “Fluke” means “blessing” and it is irrelevant to the context of the blank.
   
    



9. Martin can easily _____________ all the facts about any player on the team.
   I. Respite
   II. Revere
   III. Recite
   All I, II and III
   Both I & III
   Only III
   Only I
   Only II
   Option C
   The meaning of the following words:
   I. Respite- a short relief from something difficult
   II. Revere- feel respectful or admiration for someone
   III. Recite- readout or say something from memory
   
    



10. Their __________ would be at the Penta Hotel at Heathrow Airport.
    I. Prejudice
    II. Rendezvous
    III. Meeting
    Only III
    Both I and III
    Only II
    All I, II and III
    Both II and III
    Option E
    The sentence implies that the meeting would be at the Penta Hotel at Heathrow Airport. ‘Rendezvous’ is ‘a meeting at an agreed time and place’. Hence, both ‘rendezvous’ and ‘meeting’ are apt for the blank.
    
     

 

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