Direction: In the following passage some words have been deleted. Fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given. Select the most appropriate option for each blank. Forest fire always (1) ______ by one of two reasons-naturally caused or human-caused. Natural fire is generally (2) ______ by lightning, with a very small percentage (3) ______ by spontaneous combustion of dry fuel such as sawdust and leaves. (4) ______, human-caused fire can happen (5) ______ any number of reasons.
Select the most appropriate option for blank No. 1.
happens
Understanding the Forest Fire Question
The question asks us to fill in blank number 1 in a passage describing the reasons behind forest fires. The sentence where blank 1 appears is: "Forest fire always (1) ______ by one of two reasons-naturally caused or human-caused." We need to select the most appropriate verb from the given options that fits grammatically and contextually in this sentence.
Analyzing Blank 1 Options for Forest Fire Cause
Let's look at the options provided for blank 1 and consider how each would fit into the sentence about forest fire causes:
- takes up: This phrase usually means to occupy space or time, or to begin an activity or hobby. For example, "The furniture takes up a lot of space," or "She took up painting." It doesn't make sense in the context of a forest fire being initiated or caused by reasons. "Forest fire always takes up by one of two reasons" is not a standard English construction.
- happens: This verb means to occur or take place. The phrase "happens by [reason]" is a common way to express that something occurs as a result of a specific reason or cause. For example, "Accidents happen by chance," or "Success happens by hard work." In the context of the sentence, "Forest fire always happens by one of two reasons" means forest fires always occur because of one of these two reasons. This fits the meaning well.
- causes: This verb means to make something happen. If we used "causes," the sentence structure would need to be different, typically active voice where the reason is the subject, e.g., "One of two reasons always causes forest fire." The current sentence uses a passive-like structure focusing on the fire and followed by "by one of two reasons," which indicates the agent or cause. Using "causes" here would be grammatically incorrect.
- creates: Similar to "causes," this verb means to bring something into existence. While reasons lead to or create a forest fire, the phrasing "forest fire always creates by one of two reasons" is not grammatically correct or idiomatic English. We might say "Reasons create forest fires," but not in this structure.
Why 'happens' is the Correct Verb for Forest Fire Occurrence
Based on the analysis, the verb that best fits the sentence structure and meaning is "happens". The sentence describes the way a forest fire comes into being or occurs. "Happens by" is a valid construction to indicate the reason or cause behind an event. The sentence means that forest fires occur due to either natural causes or human causes.
Let's re-read the sentence with "happens":
"Forest fire always happens by one of two reasons-naturally caused or human-caused."
This sentence makes perfect sense and follows standard English usage when discussing the origin or cause of events like forest fires.
| Option | Fit in Sentence | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| takes up | Incorrect | Does not fit the context of causation. |
| happens | Correct | "Happens by [reason]" correctly indicates the cause of the forest fire occurring. |
| causes | Incorrect | Requires a different sentence structure (active voice). |
| creates | Incorrect | "Creates by" is not standard phrasing in this context. |
Revision Table: Key Terms for Forest Fire Analysis
| Term | Relevance to Forest Fire Question |
|---|---|
| Forest fire | The main subject of the passage. |
| Reasons | Explains why forest fires start (naturally caused, human-caused). |
| Naturally caused | One category of reasons for forest fire (e.g., lightning). |
| Human-caused | Another category of reasons for forest fire (discussed later in the passage). |
| Happens by | The phrasing used to link the event (forest fire) to its cause (reasons). |
Additional Information on Forest Fire Causes
Understanding how forest fires start is crucial for prevention. As the passage mentions, forest fires can be broadly categorized:
- Natural Causes: These are fires started by natural events without human intervention. The most common natural cause is lightning. Volcanic activity can also start fires. Spontaneous combustion, as mentioned in the passage, occurs when dry organic matter heats up and ignites without an external spark.
- Human Causes: These fires are started directly or indirectly by people. Human-caused fires are often preventable and include things like unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, arson, sparks from machinery, burning debris, and even fireworks. Human-caused fires account for a large percentage of wildfires globally.
The distinction between naturally caused and human-caused forest fires is important for fire management and public safety campaigns.
Important Questions from Cloze Test
What would come in blank space (1)?
What would come in blank space (2)?
What would come in blank space (3)?
What would come in blank space (4)?
What would come in blank space (5)?
