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. The locust is an insect that belongs to the family of grasshoppers. These insects are essentially harmless (1)______ they meet certain circumstances under which they (2)______ more abundant and change their behaviour. India, Pakistan and Iran (3)______ currently thinking over the locust plague threat (4)______ over their economies. When these locusts meet (5)______ environmental conditions, they become gregarious and (6)______ breeding abundantly. With their population becoming (7)______, they form swarms and keep moving (8)______ areas damaging the crops. These swarms attacking (9)______ and thereby devastating the entire agricultural economy is (10)______ is commonly referred to as locust plague.
Select the most appropriate option for blank no. 8.
across
Understanding the Locust Passage and Blank 8
The provided passage discusses locusts, their transformation from harmless insects to a plague, and the threat they pose to economies, specifically mentioning India, Pakistan, and Iran.
We are asked to select the most appropriate option for blank number 8 in the sentence: "With their population becoming (7)______, they form swarms and keep moving (8)______ areas damaging the crops."
Let's examine the context of the sentence. The locust population is increasing (implied by "population becoming..." and forming swarms). These swarms move and cause damage to crops in different areas. The blank describes the manner of their movement relative to areas.
Analyzing Options for Blank 8
Let's evaluate each option provided for blank number 8:
- 1. across: Moving 'across areas' suggests movement through, over, or throughout different regions. This fits the description of a swarm covering territory and impacting multiple locations.
- 2. against: Moving 'against areas' is grammatically incorrect in this context and doesn't convey a logical sense of how swarms move to damage crops.
- 3. about: Moving 'about areas' suggests moving around within a general vicinity or in an undirected manner. While swarms move, 'across' better captures the idea of movement covering significant ground and impacting diverse areas.
- 4. around: Moving 'around areas' could imply bypassing areas or circling them, which contradicts the fact that they are "damaging the crops" within those areas.
Determining the Most Appropriate Word
Considering the destructive nature of locust swarms and their ability to spread and damage agriculture over wide regions, the phrase "moving across areas" is the most fitting description of their movement. It indicates that the swarms traverse different geographical areas, causing damage as they go.
Conclusion for Blank 8
Based on the analysis, the most appropriate word to fill blank number 8 is "across". The sentence would read: "With their population becoming ______, they form swarms and keep moving across areas damaging the crops."
| Option | Meaning in Context | Appropriateness |
|---|---|---|
| across | Moving through/over different areas | Most Appropriate |
| against | Opposed to areas | Incorrect |
| about | Moving within a general vicinity | Less Appropriate than 'across' for widespread damage |
| around | Circling or bypassing areas | Incorrect given crop damage |
Revision Table: Understanding Vocabulary
| Term | Meaning | Relevance to Passage |
|---|---|---|
| Locust | A large, mainly tropical grasshopper with strong powers of flight in swarms. | The main subject of the passage. |
| Swarms | A large group of insects, especially locusts, moving in a mass. | Describes the damaging phase of locusts. |
| Gregarious | Fond of company; social (used here to describe their tendency to group together). | Describes the behavioural change leading to swarms. |
| Locust Plague | A widespread infestation by locusts causing large-scale damage to crops. | The central threat discussed. |
Additional Information: Locust Behaviour and Impact
Locusts exhibit density-dependent polymorphism, meaning their appearance and behaviour change depending on how crowded they are. When conditions (like rainfall followed by drought) lead to increased breeding and crowding, they switch from a solitary phase to a gregarious phase. In the gregarious phase, they become more active, change colour, and form large swarms that can travel vast distances.
These swarms are highly destructive because they consume large quantities of vegetation. A single swarm can contain millions or even billions of individuals and can cover hundreds of square kilometers. Their movement across areas allows them to devastate agricultural land in multiple regions, posing a significant threat to food security and the economy of affected countries. The passage highlights the concern of countries like India, Pakistan, and Iran regarding this threat.
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)?
