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Question

Directions: In this section, each sentence is incomplete and is followed by four options. Select one of the four options to complete the sentence.

A bomb went off in the city centre, but fortunately _________

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2023 English Previous Year Paper (16-April-2023)
The correct answer is

nobody was hurt

Sentence Completion Explained

The question asks us to complete a sentence using the most appropriate option provided. The sentence describes an event and then uses the word "fortunately" to introduce the consequence.

The sentence is: "A bomb went off in the city centre, but fortunately _________"

The key word here is "fortunately". This adverb means happening because of good luck; luckily. It indicates that the event that follows is a positive or lucky outcome, especially considering the preceding negative event (a bomb going off).

Analyzing the Options for "Fortunately"

Let's look at how each option completes the sentence and whether it fits with the meaning of "fortunately":

  • Option 1: only few hurt

    If only a few people were hurt, it's better than many being hurt, but it still means some people suffered injuries. While it's less tragic than widespread injury, it's not the most fortunate possible outcome from a bomb blast.

  • Option 2: somebody was hurt

    This means at least one person was injured. A bomb going off and resulting in somebody being hurt is clearly not a fortunate event. This option contradicts the meaning of "fortunately".

  • Option 3: nobody was hurt

    If nobody was hurt, it means zero people suffered injuries despite a bomb going off. This is an extremely lucky and positive outcome in such a dangerous situation. This perfectly aligns with the meaning of "fortunately".

  • Option 4: everybody was hurt

    If everybody was hurt, it means everyone in the vicinity suffered injuries. This is a highly unfortunate and negative outcome, completely opposite to what "fortunately" implies.

Determining the Best Completion

Considering the adverb "fortunately", the most logical and fitting completion for the sentence is the one that describes the best possible outcome after a bomb blast. The best possible outcome among the options is that no one was injured.

Therefore, the sentence completed with the most appropriate option reads:

"A bomb went off in the city centre, but fortunately nobody was hurt."

Revision Table: Key Concepts

Word Type Meaning in Context Relevance to Sentence Completion
Fortunately Adverb Happening due to good luck; luckily. Indicates a positive outcome. Requires the following clause to describe a good or lucky event, especially given the negative preceding event.
But Conjunction Used to introduce a clause contrasting with something already mentioned. Connects the negative event (bomb blast) with the positive consequence (no one hurt).

Additional Information: Adverbs of Luck

Adverbs like "fortunately" help to express the speaker's attitude towards the event being described. Other similar adverbs include:

  • Luckily
  • Happily
  • Thankfully
  • Mysteriously
  • Strangely

These adverbs often appear at the beginning of a sentence or clause, modifying the entire situation described by that clause. In this case, "fortunately" modifies the outcome of the bomb going off.

Understanding such adverbs and conjunctions like "but" is crucial for correctly completing sentences and comprehending the intended meaning, especially in English grammar and vocabulary questions.

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