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Question

Choose the most appropriate word from the options given below to complete the following

sentence.

He could not understand the judges awarding her the first prize, because he thought that her

performance was quite __________.

The correct answer is

mediocre

Performance Vocabulary: Sentence Completion Exercise

This question requires selecting the most fitting word to complete a sentence about a person's reaction to a judging decision. The core of the sentence is: "He could not understand the judges awarding her the first prize, because he thought that her performance was quite __________."

The key phrase here is "could not understand... awarding her the first prize". This indicates a disagreement or surprise based on the observer's perception of the performance's quality. The word needed in the blank should reflect a quality that the observer believes does *not* warrant a first prize.

Analyzing the Options

  • superb: This word means extremely good or excellent. If the observer found the performance superb, they would likely agree with the judges awarding the first prize. This contradicts the sentence's implication of disagreement.
  • medium: This word means average or ordinary. While an average performance might not typically win first prize, "mediocre" is a more specific and stronger antonym to 'prize-worthy' performance in this context.
  • mediocre: This word means of only average quality; not very good. If the observer considered the performance mediocre, their confusion about it winning first prize makes logical sense. This aligns perfectly with the sentence structure.
  • exhilarating: This word means thrilling or causing great excitement. Similar to "superb," an exhilarating performance would justify winning first prize, contradicting the observer's confusion.

Why 'mediocre' is the Best Fit

The sentence structure sets up a contrast: the judges awarded first prize, BUT the observer thought the performance was __________.

The observer's inability to understand the decision stems from their low opinion of the performance. Among the choices, mediocre best describes a performance that is not good enough for a top award, thus explaining the observer's confusion.

Therefore, the completed sentence reads: "He could not understand the judges awarding her the first prize, because he thought that her performance was quite mediocre."

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Important Questions from Sentence Completion

  1. Directions: In a question given below an incomplete sentence that must be filled/completed with one of the sentence /phrases can be fit into the given blanks. Choose the corret option and complete the given sentence.

    The focus has been on finishing the syllabus instead of concentration on whether the student _____________________________.

  2. Directions: In a question given below an incomplete sentence that must be filled/completed with one of the sentence /phrases can be fit into the given blanks. Choose the correct option and complete the given sentence.

    Due to the rapid mechanisation of low-skill jobs in the construction and retail sectors, employment prospects________________________________.

  3. Directions: Given below is a conversation between two people. Fill in the blank with the appropriate sentence to make it grammatically correct.

    Anita: What about our plans for the weekend?

    Mehta: Everything set but if Anna comes to know about it, _________

  4. The sentences (given with blanks) are to be filled with an appropriate word(s). Four alternatives are suggested for each question. For each question, choose the correct alternative and click the button corresponding to it.

    See me tomorrow without ___________ 

  5. The sentences (given with blanks) are to be filled with an appropriate word(s). Four alternatives are suggested for each question. For each question, choose the correct alternative and click the button corresponding to it.

    Radium ___________ rays that blind the eyes.

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