In the following question, a passage is given. At certain points in the passage, you are given a choice of three words marked (a), (b) and (c), one of which fits the meaning of the passage. Choose the best word out of the three. Mark the letter, viz., (a), (b) or (c), relating to this word as your answer. Many of us believe that science is something modern, ___(1)___ [(a) if (b) though (c) unless] the truth is that ___(2)___ [(a) men (b) people (c) man] has been using science for __(3)__ [(a) the (b) a (c) that] very long time. However, it has __(4)__ [(a) has (b) have (c) had] a greater effect on human lives in the last 25 ___(5)___ [(a) and (b) or (c) either] 30 years than in the hundreds of years __(6)__ [(a) from (b) for (c) since] the invention of the plough. The __(7)__ [(a) marvellous (b) costly (c) inexpensive] gifts of science have made modern life __(8)__ [(a) dull (b) exciting (c) aimless] and comfortable. But science has ___(9)___ [(a) at (b) in (c) within] the same time created new problems. One of these may become ___(10)___ [(a) bad (b) worse (c) good] in the years to come, is ___(11)___ [(a) those (b) this (c) that] of ‘jet-lag’. With the coming of modern jets, flying at more than 900 km an hour, the world ___(12)___ [(a) can become (b) become (c) has become] very small indeed. Today if you ___(13)___ [(a) leave (b) will leave (c) would leave] New Delhi at 4.00 in the morning, you ___(14)___ [(a) will (b) can (c) must] eat an early breakfast in the sky ___(15)___ [(a) at (b) on (c) over] Kabul, and be in London by about 1.00 p.m.
2
c
Solving the Passage Completion Question
This question asks us to select the most appropriate word from the given options to fill in the blanks in a passage, ensuring that the passage flows correctly and makes sense grammatically and contextually.
We will analyze each numbered blank and the provided options to determine the best fit. Let's focus on blank (2).
Analyzing Blank (2)
The sentence containing blank (2) is: "...the truth is that ___(2)___ [(a) men (b) people (c) man] has been using science for..."
Let's look at the options and how they fit with the rest of the sentence, particularly the verb "has been using".
- (a) men: "Men" is a plural noun. If we use "men", the sentence would be "men has been using science...". This is grammatically incorrect because a plural subject ("men") requires a plural verb ("have been using").
- (b) people: "People" is generally used as a plural noun. If we use "people", the sentence would be "people has been using science...". This is also grammatically incorrect as a plural subject ("people") requires a plural verb ("have been using"). While "a people" can refer to a singular group or nation, in the context of "using science", "people" typically functions as a plural referring to individuals collectively.
- (c) man: "Man" can be used in a collective or generic sense to refer to humankind or humanity as a whole (similar to "mankind"). When used this way, it functions as a singular noun. If we use "man", the sentence becomes "man has been using science...". This is grammatically correct because the singular subject "man" (referring to humankind) agrees with the singular verb "has been using". This usage fits the context of science being used by humanity throughout history.
Based on the grammatical agreement with the singular verb "has been using" and the contextual meaning referring to humankind's historical interaction with science, the word "man" is the most suitable choice for blank (2).
Therefore, the correct word for blank (2) is (c) man.
Revision Table: Word Choice Analysis
| Blank Number | Part of Sentence | Options | Analysis | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (2) | ...the truth is that ___(2)___ has been using science... | (a) men, (b) people, (c) man | Verb 'has been using' is singular. 'Men' and 'people' are plural subjects. 'Man' can be used generically as a singular subject referring to humankind. | (c) man |
Additional Information: Generic Use of 'Man'
The word 'man' has historically been used in English to refer to the human race or humankind in general, without specific reference to gender. While contemporary usage often prefers terms like 'humankind', 'humanity', or 'people' for gender-neutrality, the generic use of 'man' is still found, particularly in older texts or set phrases. In this passage, the phrase "man has been using science for a very long time" employs this generic sense of 'man' referring to humans throughout history.
Understanding this generic meaning is key to correctly identifying the subject-verb agreement in this specific sentence structure.
Important Questions from Vocab Based Questions
Which of the following fits the blank (1) appropriately?
Which of the following fits the blank (2) appropriately?
Which of the following fits the blank (3) appropriately?
Which of the following fits the blank (4) appropriately?
Which of the following fits the blank (5) appropriately?
