Filling the Blank with the Appropriate Word

The question asks us to choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: "Your son hasn’t caused any problems; in fact, he has been very ______."

To answer this, we need to understand the grammatical structure of the sentence and the role the missing word plays.

The phrase "he has been very ______" uses the linking verb "has been" (part of the verb 'to be' in the present perfect tense) followed by the adverb "very". Linking verbs connect the subject (in this case, "he") to a word or phrase that describes or identifies the subject. This word is usually an adjective or a noun.

In this sentence, "very" modifies the word that follows it, which must be an adjective describing how the son "has been".

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at the given options and determine their parts of speech:

1. cooperated: This is the past tense or past participle form of the verb 'cooperate'. It describes an action that was performed.
2. cooperative: This is an adjective meaning willing to help or work with others. It describes a quality or state of being.
3. cooperatingly: This word is formed like an adverb (ending in -ly), suggesting it describes how an action is done. It's not a standard or commonly used English adverb, and it doesn't fit the structure needing an adjective after "very".
4. cooperation: This is a noun, referring to the act or process of cooperating.

Determining the Correct Word

The sentence structure "he has been very ______" requires an adjective to follow "very" and describe the subject "he". Looking at our analysis:

• "cooperated" (verb) does not fit.
• "cooperative" (adjective) fits the structure and describes the son's quality (willing to help/not cause problems).
• "cooperatingly" (adverb) does not fit.
• "cooperation" (noun) does not fit.

Therefore, the most appropriate word is the adjective "cooperative". The sentence becomes: "Your son hasn’t caused any problems; in fact, he has been very cooperative." This sentence makes grammatical sense and conveys that the son has been helpful and easy to deal with.

Understanding Parts of Speech

This question highlights the importance of identifying the correct part of speech needed in a sentence. Here's a quick recap:

• Verb: Describes an action or state of being (e.g., run, is, cooperated).
• Adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun (e.g., happy, blue, cooperative).
• Adverb: Modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, often telling how, when, where, or to what extent (e.g., quickly, very, cooperatingly).
• Noun: Names a person, place, thing, or idea (e.g., son, school, book, cooperation).

Revision Table: English Grammar Review

Here's a brief table summarizing key grammar points related to this question:

Additional Information: Choosing the Right Word

When filling blanks in sentences, always consider the following:

• Sentence Structure: What kind of word (part of speech) is needed to complete the grammatical structure? Is it a subject, verb, object, modifier?
• Context and Meaning: What is the overall meaning of the sentence? Which word makes the most sense in this context? The first part of the sentence ("hasn't caused any problems") provides context suggesting positive behavior.
• Word Form: Ensure the word is in the correct form (e.g., singular/plural, correct verb tense, correct adjective/adverb form).

In this specific sentence, the context of "hasn't caused any problems" strongly supports the idea that the son has been helpful or easy to manage, which is precisely what "cooperative" means.