Direction: Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank. The life of the church seems, indeed, to have been in a more stagnant and ______ condition in this age than at any other period of English history.
torpid
Analyzing the Question and Blank
The question asks us to select the most appropriate word to fill the blank in the sentence: "The life of the church seems, indeed, to have been in a more stagnant and ______ condition in this age than at any other period of English history." The sentence describes the condition of the church's life as "stagnant" and another quality represented by the blank. The word filling the blank should likely have a meaning similar to or complementary to "stagnant".
Let's understand the term "stagnant". Stagnant means showing no activity; dull and sluggish. It implies a lack of movement, development, or vitality. Therefore, we are looking for a word that also describes a state of inactivity, sluggishness, or lack of energy or progress.
Evaluating the Options
Let's examine each option provided and determine if its meaning fits the context of a "stagnant and ______ condition" for the church's life.
| Option | Word | Meaning | Fit with "Stagnant" and Context? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | tangential | Divergent from a previous course or purpose; relating to or along a tangent. | No. This word relates to deviating from a path or topic, not to a state of inactivity or dullness. |
| 2 | truculent | Eager or quick to argue or fight; aggressively defiant. | No. This word describes a hostile or aggressive attitude, which is unrelated to being stagnant or inactive. |
| 3 | torpid | Mentally or physically inactive; lethargic. | Yes. This word means inactive, sluggish, or dormant, which aligns perfectly with the meaning of "stagnant". A torpid condition is one lacking energy or movement. |
| 4 | expedite | Make (an action or process) happen sooner or be accomplished more quickly. | No. This word means to speed something up, which is the opposite of being stagnant or inactive. |
Selecting the Appropriate Word
Based on the analysis of the options, the word "torpid" is the only one that describes a state of inactivity or sluggishness, similar to "stagnant". The phrase "stagnant and torpid condition" accurately describes a period where the church's life lacked energy, activity, and progress.
Therefore, "torpid" is the most appropriate word to fill the blank.
Explanation of the Correct Answer
The correct answer is "torpid". The word "torpid" means inactive or lethargic. When describing the life of the church as "stagnant and torpid", the sentence conveys that the church was not active, developing, or showing much vitality during this particular period in English history. This pairing of words effectively emphasizes the lack of movement and energy within the church's life at that time.
Revision Table: Understanding Key Vocabulary
| Word | Definition in Context | Antonyms/Opposites |
|---|---|---|
| Stagnant | Not active, dull, sluggish; lacking movement or development. | Active, dynamic, thriving, vibrant, flowing. |
| Torpid | Mentally or physically inactive; lethargic. | Active, energetic, lively, vigorous. |
| Tangential | Diverging from a main course or topic. | Central, relevant, core, integral. |
| Truculent | Aggressively defiant; eager to fight. | Agreeable, gentle, cooperative, friendly. |
| Expedite | To speed up a process. | Delay, hinder, slow down. |
Additional Information on Vocabulary in Context
When encountering fill-in-the-blank questions like this, it is crucial to look for context clues within the sentence. Words like "stagnant" provide a strong clue about the intended meaning of the missing word. The word "and" between "stagnant" and the blank suggests that the missing word will have a similar meaning or describe a related negative condition.
Understanding synonyms and antonyms can greatly help in solving such questions. In this case, recognizing that "torpid" is a synonym for inactive or sluggish allows us to see its direct connection to "stagnant". Eliminating options with unrelated or opposite meanings is also a key strategy.
Expanding your vocabulary by learning word definitions, synonyms, antonyms, and how words are used in sentences is essential for improving performance on vocabulary-based questions.
Important Questions from Fill in the Blanks
Direction : Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the answer sheet accordingly.
There was a time when West Germany was a distinct ______.
Direction: Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the answer sheet accordingly.
My son is very _____, he trusts everyone.Direction: Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the answer sheet accordingly.
I wish I _____ her before we met.Directions: Each of the following items in this section has a sentence with a missing preposition. Select the correct preposition from the given options and mark your response accordingly.
I accepted the offer _______ certain conditions.
Directions: Each of the following items in this section has a sentence with a missing preposition. Select the correct preposition from the given options and mark your response accordingly.
He visits the needy to relieve them ______ their sufferings and poverty.
