Direction: In this section, there is a passage having some blank spaces with four words or groups of words given. Select whichever word or group of words you consider the most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response accordingly. It is necessary, (1)_______ any war, to consider, not its proper justification in past agreements, (2)_______ its real justification in the balance of good which it is to bring to mankind. At the beginning of a war, each nation, under the influence of what is called (3)_______ believes that its own victory is (4)_______ certain and of great importance to mankind. The praiseworthiness of this belief has become an accepted maxim of common sense : even when war is actually in progress it (5)_______ to be natural and right that a citizen of an enemy country should regard the victory of his side as assured and highly (6)_______ By concentrating attention upon the supposed advantages of the victory of our own side, we (7)_______ more or less blind to the evils inseparable from war and equally certain whichever side may ultimately prove (8)_______ Yet so long as these are not fully realized, it is impossible (9)_______ justly (10)_______ a war is or is not likely to be beneficial to the human ra ce. Although the theme is trite, it is necessary therefore briefly to remind ourselves what the evils of war really are.
Choose the appropriate option for (1) ?
Analyzing the Passage and Blank (1)
The provided passage discusses the necessity of considering the justification of war. It argues that such consideration should focus on the potential good a war might bring to mankind, rather than just past agreements. The first sentence sets up this premise, beginning with "It is necessary, (1)_______ any war, to consider...". We need to select the most appropriate word or phrase to fill blank (1) to correctly connect "It is necessary" with "any war" in the context of considering its justification.
Examining the Options for Blank (1)
Let's look at the given options for blank (1) and evaluate how each fits into the sentence:
- in regard to: This phrase means "concerning" or "about". If we insert it, the sentence becomes "It is necessary, concerning any war, to consider...". This fits the context well, indicating what the consideration is about.
- connecting: This is a present participle. If inserted, the phrase "connecting any war" would modify "necessary" or "It". Neither makes grammatical sense in this structure. "It is necessary, connecting any war..." doesn't convey the intended meaning of discussing or considering a war.
- describing: Similar to "connecting," this is a present participle. "It is necessary, describing any war, to consider..." implies that the act of describing the war is necessary before considering its justification, which isn't the intended meaning. The structure requires a phrase that links the necessity of consideration to the subject matter, which is "any war".
- linking: Again, a present participle. "It is necessary, linking any war, to consider..." suffers from the same grammatical issues as "connecting" and "describing". It doesn't provide the correct relationship between the necessity and "any war".
Selecting the Best Fit: 'in regard to'
Based on the analysis, the phrase "in regard to" is the only option that creates a grammatically correct and contextually appropriate sentence. It clearly indicates that the necessity of consideration is "about" or "concerning" any war. The sentence "It is necessary, in regard to any war, to consider, not its proper justification in past agreements, but its real justification in the balance of good which it is to bring to mankind" flows logically and conveys the author's point effectively.
Step-by-Step Justification
- Identify the blank's position and the surrounding words: "(1)_______ any war, to consider...".
- Understand the overall meaning of the sentence: Something is necessary *about* or *concerning* any war, which is to consider its justification.
- Evaluate each option for grammatical correctness and meaning in the context.
- "in regard to" means "about" or "concerning", fitting the need to specify what the consideration is related to.
- "connecting", "describing", and "linking" are participial forms that do not fit the grammatical structure or intended meaning here.
- Confirm that "in regard to any war" correctly introduces the subject of the consideration.
Thus, "in regard to" is the most appropriate choice for blank (1).
Revision Table: Key Prepositional Phrases
Prepositional phrases like "in regard to" are common ways to introduce topics or specify what something is about.
| Phrase | Meaning | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
| in regard to | concerning, about | In regard to your request, we will respond shortly. |
| with respect to | concerning, regarding | With respect to the budget, we need to make cuts. |
| as regards | concerning, about | As regards the new policy, there will be a meeting. |
| concerning | about, relating to | He made a statement concerning the incident. |
Additional Information: Understanding Prepositions in Context
Prepositions and prepositional phrases play a vital role in English grammar by showing relationships between words in a sentence. They can indicate time, place, direction, or, as in the case of "in regard to," the subject matter or reference point of a statement. Choosing the correct preposition or phrase is crucial for clarity and accuracy in writing. In this passage, "in regard to" functions like a signpost, telling the reader that the following discussion is focused on the topic of "any war." Understanding these phrases helps improve reading comprehension and writing skills, especially in academic or formal texts.
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