In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives. All this suggests the intimate relations which exist between history, politics, and sociology. The ____________ thing, however, is not the identities but the distinctions For, however much the _____________ disciplines may, in practice, overlap, it is necessary ________ the sake of clear thinking to have their limits defined. As far _______ sociology and history are concerned the differences may be summed up in a word. __________ history and sociology are concerned with the life of man as man.
however much the _____________ disciplines may,
various
Understanding the Passage and the Blank
The passage discusses the relationship between history, politics, and sociology. It notes their intimate connection but emphasizes the importance of understanding their distinctions despite overlapping in practice. The blank requires a word to complete the phrase "however much the _____________ disciplines may". This phrase is describing the nature of the relationship between the mentioned disciplines (history, politics, sociology).
The word needed must grammatically fit before the noun "disciplines" and work within the context of describing these fields of study. It must function as an adjective modifying "disciplines".
Analyzing the Options
Let's look at the given options and determine which one fits grammatically and contextually:
| Option | Word | Part of Speech | Meaning/Usage | Fit in Blank? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | vary | Verb | To differ in size, amount, degree, or nature. | No. A verb is needed here, not an adjective modifying "disciplines". |
| 2 | variety | Noun | The quality or state of being different or diverse; a range of different things. | No. A noun is needed here, not an adjective modifying "disciplines". |
| 3 | various | Adjective | Different from one another; of different kinds or sorts. | Yes. This is an adjective that correctly modifies "disciplines" and means different types of disciplines (history, politics, sociology). |
| 4 | variant | Adjective / Noun | Adjective: Different in form or type from something else. Noun: A form or version of something that differs in some respect from other forms of the same type. | Unlikely. While an adjective, "variant" usually implies a deviation or difference *within* a type, not different types themselves. "Various disciplines" (different kinds of disciplines) is a more standard and fitting phrase than "variant disciplines". |
Selecting the Correct Word for the Blank
The phrase "however much the _____________ disciplines may" requires an adjective to describe the noun "disciplines". Out of the given options, only "various" and "variant" are adjectives.
Considering the context, the passage is talking about history, politics, and sociology as distinct but related fields. "Various disciplines" naturally refers to these different fields of study. "Variant disciplines" doesn't convey the intended meaning as clearly; it might suggest variations within a single discipline rather than different disciplines.
Therefore, "various" is the most appropriate word to fill the blank, meaning "different kinds of disciplines".
The completed phrase would be: "however much the various disciplines may, in practice, overlap..."
Final Answer
Based on the grammatical requirement and the context of the passage, the correct word to fill the blank is "various".
Revision Table: Key Concepts
| Term | Definition/Explanation | Relevance to Question |
|---|---|---|
| Disciplines | Branches of knowledge or study. | The word needed modifies 'disciplines'. |
| Various | Adjective meaning 'of different kinds'. | Correct option; fits grammatically and contextually. |
| Variant | Adjective meaning 'different in form/type'; Noun meaning 'a different form'. | Incorrect option; less fitting contextually than 'various'. |
| Parts of Speech | Categories of words (noun, verb, adjective, etc.). | Essential for determining which word fits the blank grammatically. |
Additional Information: Grammar and Context in Fill-in-the-Blanks
Solving fill-in-the-blank questions often requires paying close attention to both grammar and context.
- Grammar: Look at the words surrounding the blank. What part of speech is needed? Is it a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb? Does it need to be singular or plural, past or present tense?
- Context: Read the entire sentence and the surrounding sentences. What is the overall meaning being conveyed? Which word from the options makes the most sense in this specific situation?
In this question, understanding that an adjective was needed before the noun "disciplines" was the first step. Then, analyzing the meaning of the adjective options ("various" vs. "variant") in the context of discussing different academic fields led to the correct answer.
Important Questions from Vocab Based Questions
Which of the following fits the blank (1) appropriately?
Which of the following fits the blank (2) appropriately?
Which of the following fits the blank (3) appropriately?
Which of the following fits the blank (4) appropriately?
Which of the following fits the blank (5) appropriately?
