SELECTING WORDS Each of the following sentences in this section has a blank space and four words or group of words given after the sentence. Select whichever word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
Satish was endowed ______ a natural talent for music.
with
Understanding the Question: Selecting the Correct Preposition
The question asks us to select the most appropriate word or group of words to fill the blank space in the sentence: "Satish was endowed ______ a natural talent for music." This requires choosing the correct preposition that follows the verb "endowed" in this specific context.
Meaning of Endowed
"Endowed" means to be given a quality or ability naturally. When someone is endowed with something, they possess that quality or ability from birth or inherently.
Analyzing the Options and Correct Usage
Let's look at how the word "endowed" is typically used with prepositions:
- Endowed with: This is the most common and correct preposition when talking about someone possessing a quality, talent, or ability. The structure is typically "endowed with [something]". For example, "She was endowed with great patience." or "He was endowed with a sharp mind."
- Endowed in: "In" is not the standard preposition used with "endowed" to indicate possessing a quality. While "endowed" can sometimes mean funded or given money/property to (e.g., "a university endowed in the 17th century"), this meaning does not fit the context of possessing a "natural talent".
- Endowed by: "By" is typically used to indicate the source or agent of the endowment, especially when talking about a formal act of granting funds or property (e.g., "a scholarship endowed by a generous donor"). It is not used to describe the quality or talent itself.
- Endowed for: "For" is not the standard preposition used with "endowed" to indicate possessing a quality or talent. "For" might be used to indicate purpose or recipient (e.g., "funds endowed for research"), but not the inherent trait.
In the sentence "Satish was endowed ______ a natural talent for music," we are describing the specific quality or talent that Satish possesses. The phrase required is "endowed with" followed by the talent.
| Preposition | Common Usage | Example | Fits Sentence? |
|---|---|---|---|
| in | (Rare for qualities); Funding/Establishing (less common) | A foundation endowed in 1950. | No |
| by | Source of endowment (funding) | Endowed by the government. | No |
| for | Purpose of endowment (funding) | Endowed for scientific study. | No |
| with | Possessing a quality, talent, or ability | Endowed with great intelligence. | Yes |
Conclusion for Filling the Blank
Based on the common and correct usage of the verb "endowed," the preposition that follows when referring to an inherent quality or talent is "with". Therefore, the complete sentence should be "Satish was endowed with a natural talent for music."
Revision Table: Prepositions and Common Uses
| Preposition | General Meaning/Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| in | Location (inside), time (months, years), state | in the room, in July, in trouble |
| by | Proximity, agent (passive voice), means of transport | by the window, written by him, travel by car |
| for | Purpose, duration, recipient | for studying, for three hours, a gift for you |
| with | Accompaniment, using something, possessing a quality | with a friend, cut with a knife, endowed with talent |
Additional Information: Common Phrases with 'Endow'
- Endow a university/institution: This means to provide a large sum of money to support its activities.
- Endow with rights/privileges: To formally grant certain rights or privileges to someone or a group.
- Endowment fund: A fund of money donated to an institution, the income from which is used for a specific purpose.
Important Questions from Fill in the Blanks
Direction : Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the answer sheet accordingly.
There was a time when West Germany was a distinct ______.
Direction: Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the answer sheet accordingly.
My son is very _____, he trusts everyone.Direction: Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the answer sheet accordingly.
I wish I _____ her before we met.Directions: Each of the following items in this section has a sentence with a missing preposition. Select the correct preposition from the given options and mark your response accordingly.
I accepted the offer _______ certain conditions.
Directions: Each of the following items in this section has a sentence with a missing preposition. Select the correct preposition from the given options and mark your response accordingly.
He visits the needy to relieve them ______ their sufferings and poverty.
