Directions: In the following passage there are some blank spaces with four words or groups of words given. Select whichever word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly. The honeybee is a very unusual kind of insect. __(1)__ other insects which live alone, the honeybee lives as a/an ___(2)___ of a community. These bees live together in what is known as a bee ___(3)____ The head of the bees is called the queen bee. She is ___(4)___ than the rest of the bees. Her main task is to ____(5)___ eggs.
queen bee. She is ___(4)____ than the rest of the bees. Her main task
larger
Understanding the Honeybee Passage and Grammar
The passage describes the fascinating social structure of honeybees, contrasting them with solitary insects. It focuses on the queen bee and her role within the colony or hive.
The specific sentence we are analysing for blank (4) is:
"She is ___(4)____ than the rest of the bees."
This sentence uses the word "than", which is typically used to introduce the second part of a comparison. This requires the use of a comparative adjective before "than".
Analysing the Options for Blank (4)
Let's look at the provided options:
- heaviest
- heavier
- largest
- larger
We need to determine which word correctly fits the blank, considering the comparative structure ("than") and the context of describing the queen bee's physical characteristics relative to other bees.
- heaviest: This is the superlative form of "heavy". Superlative adjectives are used to compare three or more things and indicate which one has the most of a particular quality (e.g., "She is the heaviest bee in the hive"). It is not used with "than". Therefore, this option is incorrect.
- heavier: This is the comparative form of "heavy". Comparative adjectives are used to compare two things or groups of things (e.g., "She is heavier than the drone"). This form works with "than". Queen bees are generally heavier than worker bees or drones. This is a possible option.
- largest: This is the superlative form of "large". Like "heaviest", it is used to compare three or more and is not used with "than". Therefore, this option is incorrect.
- larger: This is the comparative form of "large". It is used to compare two things or groups and works with "than" (e.g., "She is larger than a worker bee"). Queen bees are noticeably larger and longer than worker bees. This is a strong possible option.
Determining the Best Fit: Heavier vs. Larger
Both "heavier" and "larger" are comparative adjectives that fit the grammatical structure with "than". However, when describing a queen bee's physical difference from worker bees, the term "larger" (referring to overall size, length, and body volume) is more commonly used and more visually striking than just "heavier". Queen bees are significantly longer than worker bees, making "larger" a more precise and common description of this difference in the context of a general passage about bees.
Therefore, "larger" is the most appropriate word for blank (4).
Completing the Sentence
The completed sentence fragment is:
"She is larger than the rest of the bees."
Summary of the Passage Blanks (for context)
While the question only asks about blank (4), understanding the whole passage helps confirm the context:
The honeybee is a very unusual kind of insect. __(1)__ other insects which live alone, the honeybee lives as a/an ___(2)___ of a community. These bees live together in what is known as a bee ___(3)____ The head of the bees is called the queen bee. She is ___(4)___ than the rest of the bees. Her main task is to ____(5)___ eggs.
Possible words for other blanks might include: (1) Unlike, (2) member, (3) hive, (5) lay.
| Blank Number | Sentence Part | Reasoning | Most Appropriate Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| (4) | She is _______ than the rest of the bees. | Requires a comparative adjective due to "than". Queen bees are notably bigger in size than other bees. | larger |
Revision Table: Comparative vs. Superlative Adjectives
Understanding the difference between comparative and superlative adjectives is key to solving this type of question.
| Type of Adjective | Purpose | Form | Used With | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comparative | Comparing two things/groups | -er (or 'more') | than | larger than, more beautiful than |
| Superlative | Comparing three or more things/groups | -est (or 'most') | the | the largest, the most beautiful |
Additional Information about Honeybee Roles
The honeybee colony is a highly organized society. The three main types (castes) of honeybees are:
- Queen Bee: Usually only one per hive. Her primary function is reproduction (laying eggs). She is larger and lives much longer than other bees.
- Worker Bees: These are sterile females. They perform all the tasks necessary for the hive's survival, such as foraging for food, building comb, cleaning, guarding the hive, and caring for the young. They make up the vast majority of the colony population.
- Drone Bees: These are male bees. Their sole purpose is to mate with a new queen from a different colony. They are larger and stouter than worker bees but not as long as the queen. They do not forage or perform other hive duties.
This social structure and the distinct roles of each bee type highlight why the queen bee's unique characteristics, like being larger, are important details in descriptions of a hive.
Similar Questions
The honeybee is a very unusual kind of insect. ___(1)___ other insects which live
alone, the honeybee lives as a/an ___(2)____ of a community. These bees live
together in what is known as a bee ___(3)____ The head of the bees is called the
is to ___(5)___ eggs.
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?
What would Come in place of 6?
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
