Directions: 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. I remember watching a TV series on bringing up children that showed parents being obsessed ___(1)___ their children’s performance in school exams. The series highlighted how parents often give ___(2)___ higher importance to their children’s academic performance than their aptitudes. So many parents push and goad their children to study hard and score ___(3)___ possible in their exams. They believe that academic ___(4)___ guarantees a successful career and they want their children to be the next ‘Albert Einstein’ not knowing that Einstein ___(5)___ was a rebel and didn’t follow any of his parents’ plans for him.
Select the most appropriate option for blank No. 5.
himself
Understanding the Passage Context
The passage discusses parental attitudes towards children's academic performance. It highlights how some parents prioritize high scores over their children's natural abilities or interests. The passage then uses Albert Einstein as an example, stating that he did not follow his parents' plans for him because he was a rebel.
Analyzing the Sentence with Blank 5
The specific sentence we need to complete is: "not knowing that Einstein ___(5)___ was a rebel and didn’t follow any of his parents’ plans for him."
The blank follows the subject "Einstein" and precedes the verb "was". The structure suggests a word is needed to add emphasis to the subject "Einstein".
Evaluating the Given Options for Blank 5
Let's look at the options provided and see which one best fits the blank, considering the need for emphasis on "Einstein":
- himself: This is an intensive pronoun used to emphasize a singular male subject. "Einstein himself" means Einstein in person, or Einstein as an individual, was a rebel. This structure is commonly used for emphasis.
- oneself: This is a reflexive/intensive pronoun used with the general subject 'one'. It refers to the person doing the action. It is not appropriate for a specific person like Einstein.
- themselves: This is a reflexive/intensive pronoun used for a plural subject or a singular subject referred to generically as 'they'. It is not appropriate for a singular male subject like Einstein.
- itself: This is a reflexive/intensive pronoun used for a singular non-human subject or an abstract concept. It is not appropriate for a person like Einstein.
Selecting the Most Appropriate Option for Blank 5
Based on the analysis, the sentence structure requires an intensive pronoun to emphasize that Einstein, the person himself, was a rebel. Among the given options, "himself" is the only intensive pronoun suitable for a singular male subject like Einstein.
Placing "himself" in the blank results in the sentence: "not knowing that Einstein himself was a rebel and didn’t follow any of his parents’ plans for him." This sentence makes grammatical sense and effectively conveys the intended emphasis.
Conclusion
The most appropriate option for blank No. 5 is "himself". It correctly serves as an intensive pronoun emphasizing the subject "Einstein" in the context of the sentence.
Revision Table: Blank Filling & Pronouns
| Pronoun Type | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Intensive Pronoun | Adds emphasis to a noun or pronoun; can often be removed without changing the basic meaning. | He himself painted the picture. (Emphasizes 'He') |
| Reflexive Pronoun | Refers back to the subject, indicating the subject is performing an action on itself. Cannot usually be removed. | He hurt himself. (The subject 'He' is also the object) |
| Singular Male Pronoun | himself | Einstein himself was a rebel. |
| General Singular Pronoun | oneself | One must prepare oneself for challenges. |
| Plural Pronoun | themselves | They built the house themselves. |
| Singular Non-human/Concept Pronoun | itself | The city itself is beautiful. |
Additional Information: Intensive Pronouns
Intensive pronouns are used for emphasis. They look exactly like reflexive pronouns (myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves) but their function is different. A reflexive pronoun is essential to the sentence's meaning because it acts as the object, referring back to the subject. An intensive pronoun, however, is not essential to the sentence's basic meaning; it just adds emphasis.
Example:
- Reflexive: She saw herself in the mirror. (Essential)
- Intensive: She herself finished the entire project. (Emphasis, "She finished the entire project" still makes sense)
In our sentence, "Einstein was a rebel" is a complete thought. Adding "himself" emphasizes that Einstein, personally, had this characteristic, making it an intensive pronoun usage.
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)?
