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. Recently, I visited an orphanage for differently-abled (1)______ in Delhi. The courteous staff (2)______ me feel at home and allowed me to interact (3)______ with the children. I was told beforehand that I could carry food packets and items of daily use like stationery, blankets, and clothes (4)______ the children, who were in the age group of five to thirteen. The children were a cheerful lot, the smiles on (5)______ faces reflecting the joy within on receiving gifts.
Select the most appropriate option for blank number 1.
children
Understanding Fill in the Blanks: Passage Completion
This question requires us to fill in the blanks in a given passage using the most appropriate words from the provided alternatives. We need to consider grammar, context, and meaning to select the best fit for each blank.
Analyzing Blank Number 1 in the Passage
The first blank appears in the sentence: "Recently, I visited an orphanage for differently-abled (1)______ in Delhi."
Let's examine the options for blank number 1:
- child: This is a singular noun.
- children: This is a plural noun.
- children’s: This is the plural possessive form, indicating something belonging to multiple children.
- child’s: This is the singular possessive form, indicating something belonging to a single child.
The phrase "orphanage for differently-abled ______" describes the type of individuals residing in the orphanage. An orphanage typically houses multiple individuals. Looking ahead in the passage, the author mentions interacting with "the children" and describes "the children, who were in the age group of five to thirteen". This confirms that the orphanage houses a group of children.
Therefore, the noun used to describe the residents after "differently-abled" should be in the plural form to match the context established later in the passage.
Options 3 and 4 are possessive forms ("children's", "child's"). These would be used to show ownership or association, for example, "children's toys" or "child's behavior". In this sentence, we are simply identifying the type of people the orphanage is for, not something belonging to them.
Between "child" (singular) and "children" (plural), "children" is the most appropriate choice because the orphanage is for multiple differently-abled children.
Thus, the most appropriate word for blank number 1 is "children".
Correct Answer for Blank 1
The most appropriate option for blank number 1 is children.
Revision Table: Grammar Concepts
| Term | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Singular Noun | Refers to one person, place, thing, or idea. | child, book, city |
| Plural Noun | Refers to more than one person, place, thing, or idea. Often formed by adding -s or -es. | children, books, cities |
| Possessive Noun (Singular) | Shows ownership or relationship for a single noun, usually formed by adding 's. | child's toy, cat's tail |
| Possessive Noun (Plural) | Shows ownership or relationship for a plural noun. For nouns ending in -s, add '; for irregular plurals, add 's. | students' books, children's games |
Additional Information: Context Clues in Reading
When filling in blanks in a passage, it's important to look for context clues in the surrounding sentences. Subsequent sentences can provide valuable information about the number (singular or plural) and type of nouns or verbs needed earlier in the text. In this passage, the later mention of "the children" explicitly indicates that the orphanage houses multiple children, guiding our choice for the first blank.
Considering the overall meaning and flow of the passage is crucial. Each sentence should logically connect to the others, and the vocabulary chosen should fit the tone and subject matter.
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)?
