Ravi and Arjun had been rivals on the football field since their first year in school. Both were talented players, and their competition often brought out the best-and sometimes the worst-in them. When the school team was selected for the district championship, both were chosen to play. At first, their rivalry made teamwork difficult. Passes were missed, tempers (1)____________ and the coach had to step in. He reminded them that personal pride should never come before the team. Slowly, Ravi and Arjun began to (2)____________ one another's strengths instead of focusing on their differences. As trust grew, their coordination improved, and the team's performance soared. In the semi-final match, it was a pass from Ravi that helped Arjun score the winning goal. The crowd cheered not just for the win, but for the sportsmanship. What began as a clash ended in a strong (3)____________ that taught them the value of unity, mutual (4)____________ and shared (5)____________.
Football Rivalry: Understanding Player Temperament
The question asks to identify the most suitable word to fill the blank in the sentence: "Passes were missed, tempers (1)____________ and the coach had to step in." This sentence sets a scene of conflict and poor performance within the football team, highlighting a situation that required disciplinary action from the coach.
Analyzing the Context for Blank (1)
The context describes a negative turn of events during a football match involving the rivals Ravi and Arjun. Key indicators are:
- Missed Passes: Suggests errors in play and potentially poor coordination or focus.
- Coach Intervention: Implies that the situation on the field had become problematic, likely due to player behavior or emotions, necessitating the coach's involvement.
The word chosen for blank (1) must describe the state of the players' emotions or temperaments in response to these issues.
Evaluating the Options
Let's examine how each option fits the context:
| Option | Idiomatic Meaning | Contextual Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| broke | "Tempers broke" means players lost control of their emotions and became angry or upset. | Fits the context of conflict and coach intervention. |
| cooled | "Tempers cooled" means players became calmer or less angry. | Contradicts the context, as the coach had to step in due to negative circumstances. |
| flared | "Tempers flared" means players suddenly became angry or hostile. | Strongly fits the context, indicating a sudden rise in anger due to the game's issues, leading to the coach's action. |
| paused | "Tempers paused" is not a standard English idiom and does not logically convey a change in emotional state relevant to the situation. | Does not fit the context. |
Determining the Correct Word
The sentence suggests that the missed passes and the underlying rivalry contributed to an increase in negative emotions among the players. The idiom "tempers flared" precisely describes a situation where anger or hostility erupts suddenly. This aligns perfectly with the scenario where missed passes could lead to frustration, potentially causing players like Ravi and Arjun to become openly angry, thus prompting the coach to intervene. While "tempers broke" is also idiomatic for losing control, "flared" specifically captures the sudden, intense outbreak of anger that often precedes a need for coaching intervention.
Therefore, "flared" is the most appropriate choice to describe the situation where missed passes and player rivalry escalated into visible anger, requiring the coach's guidance.
Similar Questions
Read the following passage and answer the questions based on the passage:
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- In the following passage, some words have been omitted. Read the passage carefully and choose the most appropriate option from the given alternatives to fill in each blank. Mark your answer for each question.
For many young professionals, choosing a career is no longer just about earning a salary—it's about finding meaning in what they do. Some are drawn to high-paying jobs, while others feel more (1) ________ working in fields that align with their personal values. This growing divide between passion and paycheck has led to tough decisions for many. While financial stability is important, ignoring one's true interests can lead to long-term (2) ________. Experts suggest that a balanced approach is possible. One can pursue a stable job and still nurture their passions through part-time work, volunteering, or creative outlets. However, such a path requires careful (3) ________. Making impulsive career shifts without planning can lead to regret. It's important to evaluate not just income, but also growth, purpose, and job (4) ________. After all, the goal is not just to survive—but to build a life that is both secure and (5) ________. - Slowly, Ravi and Arjun began to (2)____________ one another's strengths instead of focusing on their differences.
- What began as a clash ended in a strong (3)____________
- that taught them the value of unity, mutual (4)____________
- and shared (5)____________.
- 3
- 1
- 2
Important Questions from Cloze Test
What would come in place of 1
What would come in place of 2
What would come in place of 3
What would come in place of 4
What would come in place of 5
