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. Change is more often than _________ the trigger for struggles in the leadership arena. Leaders usher _____________ organisational change, which creates a natural tension as the status quo fights back. With various factors in the mix, _________ imbalance is created that impacts leaders and followers in multiple and varying ways. ___________, the leader gets the roughest edge as he is seemingly the most ‘______________’ one.
Leaders usher _____________ organisational change,
in
Understanding the Passage and the Blank
The question asks us to fill in a blank in a sentence from a passage discussing leadership and organizational change. The specific sentence is: "Leaders usher _____________ organisational change". We need to choose the best word from the given options to fit this blank and make the sentence grammatically correct and meaningful within the context of the passage.
Analyzing the Options for the Blank
Let's look at the options provided for the blank:
- onto
- inside
- in
- as
The sentence talks about what leaders do regarding organisational change. The word "usher" means to guide, introduce, or bring about something. We need a word that, when combined with "usher," correctly describes how leaders introduce or bring about change within an organization.
Evaluating Each Option:
- Option 1: onto - "Usher onto" doesn't form a common or meaningful phrasal verb related to introducing change into an organization. It usually implies guiding someone/something onto a surface or platform.
- Option 2: inside - "Usher inside" implies bringing something physically into a building or enclosed space. While change happens "inside" an organization, "usher inside" isn't the standard idiomatic way to express introducing change.
- Option 3: in - "Usher in" is a common phrasal verb that means to mark the beginning of something new, or to introduce or bring something about. This fits perfectly with the context of leaders initiating or bringing about organisational change.
- Option 4: as - "Usher as" is not a recognized phrasal verb and does not make sense in this context.
Identifying the Correct Phrasal Verb
Based on the analysis, the phrasal verb "usher in" is the most appropriate fit for the blank. "Usher in" means to initiate, introduce, or bring about something new. When leaders "usher in" organisational change, they are starting or implementing new ways of operating within the organization.
The sentence "Leaders usher in organisational change" means that leaders are the ones who introduce or bring about changes within the organization. This aligns perfectly with the overall theme of the passage, which discusses change being a trigger for leadership struggles and how the status quo fights back against the changes introduced by leaders.
Conclusion
The word that best fits the blank is "in", forming the phrasal verb "usher in".
The complete sentence reads: "Leaders usher in organisational change".
This choice makes the sentence grammatically correct and contextually sound, effectively conveying that leaders are agents of change within an organization.
| Option | Word | Fit in Context | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | onto | Incorrect | Not an idiomatic phrasal verb for introducing change. |
| 2 | inside | Incorrect | While change happens inside, "usher inside" isn't the correct phrasal verb. |
| 3 | in | Correct | "Usher in" is an idiomatic phrasal verb meaning to introduce or begin something new. |
| 4 | as | Incorrect | Not a valid phrasal verb in this context. |
Revision Table: Key Concepts
| Term | Meaning | Relevance to Question |
|---|---|---|
| Usher in | To mark the beginning of something new; to introduce or bring about. | The correct phrasal verb needed to describe leaders introducing change. |
| Organisational Change | Alterations in a company's structure, culture, processes, or strategy. | The object being introduced by leaders in the sentence. |
| Leaders | Individuals who guide or direct a group or organization. | The subjects performing the action of ushering in change. |
Additional Information: Phrasal Verbs with "Usher"
The verb "usher" can be combined with different prepositions or adverbs to form phrasal verbs, each with a specific meaning. Understanding these can help in similar fill-in-the-blank questions.
- Usher in: To mark the beginning of something new; introduce. (e.g., The invention of the internet ushered in a new era of communication.)
- Usher out: To escort someone out; to bring something to an end. (e.g., The security guard ushered the guest out. The old policies were ushered out.)
- Usher someone to/into: To guide someone respectfully to a place. (e.g., The host ushered us to our table.)
In the context of introducing change, "usher in" is the standard and correct phrasal verb.
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?
