Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate word. He had half expected a divine _______ strike, a thunderbolt may be, as he queued for the body and blood.
pre-emptive
Understanding the Sentence and Context
The sentence describes a person's anticipation of a divine strike, specifically mentioning a thunderbolt, while engaged in a religious act ("queued for the body and blood," implying communion or a similar ritual). The expectation is that this divine action might occur as a form of judgment or intervention.
We need to find a word that describes this kind of strike in this specific context.
Analyzing the Options for the Blank
Let's look at the meaning of each word provided in the options:
- post-operative: This relates to the period after a surgical operation. This meaning has no connection to the context of a divine strike or religious ritual.
- pre-emptive: This means taking action to prevent something anticipated or feared from happening. A "pre-emptive strike" is one made to prevent an attack or action by an adversary. In a religious context, it could imply a strike delivered by God before a perceived sin or unworthy action is completed, or before the person receives grace, perhaps as a form of immediate judgment or correction.
- consecutive: This means following each other in a sequence or without interruption. This describes a series of events, not a single anticipated strike.
- competitive: This relates to competition, where individuals or groups try to win something or be more successful than others. This meaning is entirely unrelated to the context of a divine strike.
Why 'pre-emptive' is the Correct Fit
Considering the context, the person is expecting a divine strike, possibly because they feel unworthy or anticipate some consequence related to their actions or state while approaching the religious rite. A "pre-emptive strike" fits this scenario perfectly. It implies a strike that happens *before* something else (perhaps before receiving the communion, or before some perceived negative outcome of the act), intended by the divine power as an immediate intervention or judgment.
The phrase "divine pre-emptive strike" captures the idea of God acting quickly, in anticipation of something, possibly to prevent it or to deliver immediate consequence.
Conclusion on Filling the Blank
Based on the meanings of the options and the context of the sentence, the word that most appropriately fills the blank is 'pre-emptive'. He expected a strike that would happen in anticipation of something, a divine action taken beforehand.
The completed sentence reads: "He had half expected a divine pre-emptive strike, a thunderbolt may be, as he queued for the body and blood."
| Option | Meaning | Fit in Sentence Context |
|---|---|---|
| post-operative | After surgery | No |
| pre-emptive | Taken to prevent or anticipate something; early strike | Yes |
| consecutive | In sequence | No |
| competitive | Relating to competition | No |
Revision Table: Key Vocabulary
Reviewing key terms helps reinforce understanding.
- Divine: Relating to God or a god.
- Strike: A sudden forceful blow or attack.
- Thunderbolt: A flash of lightning accompanied by thunder, often associated with divine power or wrath.
- Pre-emptive: Done to prevent something anticipated; taken as an early measure.
Additional Information on Vocabulary Usage
The term "pre-emptive strike" is commonly used in military or political contexts to describe an attack launched to prevent an anticipated attack by an enemy. However, the word "pre-emptive" itself simply means acting in anticipation to prevent something. In the context of the sentence, it's used metaphorically to describe a swift, possibly preventive or immediately punitive, divine action.
Understanding word meanings and how they fit the surrounding context is crucial for filling in blanks correctly in sentences.
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.
