Understanding the Passage and Fill in the Blank Question

The passage describes the Sentinelese tribe and their unique way of life on North Sentinel island. It highlights their isolation and interaction with outsiders. The question asks us to select the most appropriate word to fill the fifth blank in the sentence describing the canoes of the nearby Jarawa tribe.

Analyzing Blank 5 in the Sentence

The sentence containing blank 5 is: "They build boats, unlike the nearby Jarawa tribe, who only makes (5)_______ thin outrigger canoes that are 'too narrow to fit two feet in'."

The blank requires a word that modifies the adjective "thin". The following clause "that are 'too narrow to fit two feet in'" provides further description of the thinness of the canoes, emphasizing their extreme narrowness.

Evaluating the Options for Blank 5

Let's look at the provided options and see which one fits the context:

• exclusively: This word means "only" or "solely". If we insert it, the sentence would be "...who only makes exclusively thin outrigger canoes...". This doesn't make grammatical or logical sense in this context.
• extremely: This word is an adverb that means "to a very great degree" or "very". If we insert it, the sentence becomes "...who only makes extremely thin outrigger canoes...". This fits well, as it intensifies the adjective "thin", suggesting the canoes are very thin. The subsequent phrase "too narrow to fit two feet in" supports this idea of extreme thinness/narrowness.
• abundantly: This word means "in large quantities" or "plentifully". If we insert it, the sentence would be "...who only makes abundantly thin outrigger canoes...". This doesn't make sense. "Abundantly" modifies things that can be counted or measured in quantity, not the degree of thinness.
• knowingly: This word means "with knowledge" or "intentionally". If we insert it, the sentence would be "...who only makes knowingly thin outrigger canoes...". This doesn't fit the context. The tribe making the canoes is unlikely to be described as "knowingly" making them thin in this descriptive passage; "knowingly" typically applies to actions taken with awareness or intent, often in contrast to being unaware.

Determining the Most Appropriate Word

Based on the analysis, the word "extremely" is the most suitable choice for blank 5. It acts as an intensifier for "thin", and this intensified description aligns with the further detail provided about the canoes being "too narrow to fit two feet in". The other options do not fit the grammatical structure or the meaning of the sentence.

Conclusion for Blank 5

The most appropriate option to fill blank 5 is "extremely". The phrase "extremely thin outrigger canoes" accurately reflects the description that follows, highlighting the significant narrowness of the canoes made by the Jarawa tribe.

Revision Table: Passage Fillers

Additional Information on Tribal Life and Isolation

The passage discusses indigenous tribes like the Sentinelese and Jarawa. Understanding the context of such tribes is important for reading comprehension.

• Isolated Tribes: These are communities that live with little or no contact with the outside world. They maintain their traditional way of life, languages, and customs.
• Sentinelese: Known for their extreme isolation and resistance to contact. They inhabit North Sentinel Island in India's Andaman Islands.
• Jarawa: Another indigenous tribe of the Andaman Islands, they have had more limited contact with the outside world compared to the Sentinelese, though still maintaining a largely traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle.
• Conservation Efforts: There are ongoing efforts to protect such tribes and their habitats, respecting their right to self-determination and preventing exploitation or the spread of diseases against which they may have no immunity.
• Language and Culture: Each tribe has its own unique language and distinct cultural practices adapted to their specific environment.