Understanding Fill in the Blank Questions

This question asks us to select the most appropriate word from the given options to fill in blank number 4 in the provided passage. The passage describes the character, Ms. Foster, and her significant fear of missing events or transport, and how this fear impacts her.

Analyzing Blank No. 4 in the Passage

The sentence where blank No. 4 is located reads: "But the mere thought of _____(3)______ on occasions like these would throw her _____(4)______ such a nervous state that a tiny muscle in the corner of her left eye would _____(5)_____ twitch."

We need to determine which of the given options best fits into blank No. 4 to complete the phrase "throw her _____ such a nervous state". Let's examine the alternatives provided for this blank:

• Option 1: away
• Option 2: into
• Option 3: up
• Option 4: in

Evaluating the Options for Blank No. 4

Let's consider each option and how it functions within the sentence:

• Away: If we use 'away', the phrase becomes "throw her away such a nervous state". This does not make grammatical sense and is not a standard English construction. "Throw away" means to discard something.
• Into: If we use 'into', the phrase becomes "throw her into such a nervous state". The expression "throw someone into a state" is a common idiom in English. It means to cause someone to suddenly be in a particular state or condition, often a negative or agitated one like a "nervous state". This fits the context perfectly, indicating that the thought makes her become nervous.
• Up: If we use 'up', the phrase becomes "throw her up such a nervous state". This phrase is not grammatically correct and does not convey the intended meaning. "Throw up" typically means to vomit.
• In: If we use 'in', the phrase becomes "throw her in such a nervous state". While someone can be "in a nervous state", the verb "throw" combined with the preposition "in" does not correctly express the action of causing someone to enter that state. The preposition required with "throw" to indicate movement or entry into a state is typically "into".

Considering the options, "throw her into such a nervous state" is the only construction that is grammatically correct and semantically appropriate for describing how the thought affects Ms. Foster, causing her to become nervous.

Completing the Sentence for Blank No. 4

Using the word 'into', the sentence segment reads: "...would throw her into such a nervous state that...". This clearly shows that the fear leads directly to her entering a state of intense nervousness, to the point where a physical symptom (twitching eye muscle) appears.

Therefore, 'into' is the most appropriate option for blank No. 4.

Revision Table: Passage Completion Blanks

Additional Information on English Idioms and Phrases

This question highlights the importance of recognizing common English idioms and fixed phrases. The phrase "throw someone into a state" is a good example.

• Idioms: Phrases or expressions whose meaning cannot be deduced from the meanings of their individual words (though this specific phrase is somewhat transparent, it acts idiomatically).
• Fixed Expressions: Groups of words that are used together in a specific order and with a specific meaning. "Throw someone into a state" is often used as a fixed expression.
• Understanding these combinations, especially those involving verbs and prepositions, is key to excelling in fill-in-the-blank and passage completion exercises.
• Other examples of verbs used with 'into' to indicate entering a state include: "fall into despair", "get into trouble", "talk someone into doing something".

Familiarizing yourself with such common phrases improves both reading comprehension and vocabulary usage.