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. We do not want to condemn the ‘word’. It is, after all, a mighty instrument; it is the means by ___(1)___ we tell each other of our emotions, the way in which we influence others. Words can do ___(2)___ good but also cause terrible injuries. It is true that at first there was the deed; the word came later. It was in some respects a cultural progress ___(3)___ the deed became a word. But the word was ___(4)___ a spell, a magical act, and it ___(5)___ much of its power.
Select the most appropriate option for blank No. 1.
which
Solving Fill in the Blanks: Analyzing Blank No. 1
This question asks us to fill in the blanks in a given passage using the most appropriate word from the provided alternatives. We will focus on finding the correct word for blank No. 1.
The sentence containing blank No. 1 is: “It is, after all, a mighty instrument; it is the means by ___(1)___ we tell each other of our emotions, the way in which we influence others.”
The blank follows the preposition “by” and refers back to “the means”. We need a word that connects “by the means” to the clause “we tell each other of our emotions”.
Analyzing the Options for Blank No. 1
Let’s look at the options provided for blank No. 1:
- Option 1: what
- Option 2: that
- Option 3: whose
- Option 4: which
Now, let's test each option in the sentence fragment “...it is the means by ___(1)___ we tell each other...”
- Putting “what” in the blank: “...it is the means by what we tell each other...” This phrasing is generally incorrect in standard English. “By what” is sometimes used, but typically not following a noun like “means” in this structure.
- Putting “that” in the blank: “...it is the means by that we tell each other...” The relative pronoun “that” does not typically follow a preposition like “by” when referring to a noun like “means” in this way. We might say “the means that we use”, but “by that” is not standard here.
- Putting “whose” in the blank: “...it is the means by whose we tell each other...” “Whose” is a possessive pronoun used to show ownership, usually by people or sometimes things (e.g., “a book whose cover is torn”). It doesn’t fit grammatically or logically in this context.
- Putting “which” in the blank: “...it is the means by which we tell each other...” The relative pronoun “which” is commonly used after a preposition (“by”) to refer back to a noun (“the means”) and introduce a relative clause that describes how something is done using those means. This is a standard and grammatically correct construction.
Conclusion for Blank No. 1
Based on the grammatical structure and the meaning of the sentence, “which” is the most appropriate word to complete blank No. 1. The phrase “by which” correctly introduces a clause that explains how the “means” (the word) are used to tell each other of our emotions.
| Option | Fit in Sentence ("by ___ we tell...") | Appropriateness |
|---|---|---|
| what | by what | Incorrect phrasing |
| that | by that | Incorrect usage with preposition |
| whose | by whose | Grammatically and logically incorrect (possession) |
| which | by which | Correct and standard construction |
Therefore, the completed phrase should be “the means by which we tell each other...”
Revision Table: Key Learnings
| Concept | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Pronouns | Words like who, whom, whose, which, that; used to introduce relative clauses. | The book that I read was interesting. |
| Using "which" with Prepositions | "Which" is often used after a preposition to refer to a thing, especially in formal writing. | The house in which they lived was old. (or: The house that they lived in was old.) |
| Using "that" with Prepositions | "That" does not typically follow a preposition at the beginning of a relative clause (except in specific, less common structures). | Incorrect: the means by that... Correct: the means that... (if phrasing differently) or the means by which... |
Additional Information on Relative Clauses
Relative clauses, also known as adjective clauses, provide extra information about a noun or pronoun. They start with relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that) or relative adverbs (where, when, why).
When a relative clause follows a preposition, the structure can vary. For things, you can often put the preposition before “which” (e.g., “the tool with which he worked”) or put the preposition at the end of the clause (e.g., “the tool that he worked with”). However, “that” generally cannot follow the preposition directly (“the tool with that he worked” is incorrect). The phrase “by which” is a standard and common way to express the means or method.
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)?
