In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Fill in the blank with the help of the alternatives given. Select the most appropriate option for each bank. Equiano was born in 1745 in Nigeria. When he (1) ________ about eleven, Equiano was kidnapped and sold to slave traders headed (2) ________ the West Indies. Though he spent a brief (3) ________ in the state of Virginia, much of Equiano's time (4) ________ serving on slave ships and British navy vessels. In his service on these (5) ________, Equiano travelled extensively.
Select the most appropriate option for blank number 3.
period
Understanding the Passage and Blank 3
The passage tells the story of Equiano, focusing on his early life, capture, and travels. We need to select the most appropriate word to fill in blank number 3 in the sentence: "Though he spent a brief (3) ________ in the state of Virginia, much of Equiano's time (4) ________ serving on slave ships and British navy vessels."
The phrase "a brief ________ in the state of Virginia" describes a duration of time Equiano spent in Virginia. Let's examine the given options:
- life: This refers to the entire existence of a person. It doesn't fit the context of a "brief" stay in one location, as he lived and travelled extensively elsewhere.
- age: This refers to the number of years a person has lived. It doesn't make grammatical sense in the structure "a brief age in the state of Virginia".
- era: This refers to a long and distinct period of history or a person's life, often marked by particular events or characteristics. While a period, 'era' usually implies something more significant or longer than a temporary stay described as "brief".
- period: This refers to a length or portion of time. The phrase "a brief period" is commonly used to describe a short duration spent somewhere or doing something. This fits the context perfectly, describing a short time spent in Virginia before moving on to other travels.
Based on the context and the meaning of the words, "period" is the most suitable option to describe a short duration of time spent in a particular place.
Analyzing the Options for Blank 3
Let's consider how each option would sound in the sentence:
- "Though he spent a brief life in the state of Virginia..." (Incorrect - implies his whole life was brief and spent only there)
- "Though he spent a brief age in the state of Virginia..." (Incorrect - grammatically awkward and doesn't make sense)
- "Though he spent a brief era in the state of Virginia..." (Incorrect - 'era' is too long and significant for a 'brief' stay)
- "Though he spent a brief period in the state of Virginia..." (Correct - refers to a short amount of time spent there)
Therefore, "period" is the word that correctly completes the sentence, conveying that Equiano spent a short length of time in Virginia.
Final Answer Selection
The most appropriate word for blank number 3 is "period".
The completed sentence fragment is: "Though he spent a brief period in the state of Virginia..."
Revision Table
| Blank Number | Context | Most Appropriate Word |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Describing a short duration of stay in Virginia | period |
Additional Information on Vocabulary in Context
Understanding vocabulary is crucial for filling blanks in passages. When choosing a word, always consider:
- The meaning of the word.
- How the word fits grammatically into the sentence (e.g., tense, singular/plural, part of speech).
- The surrounding words and the overall context of the passage. The word should make sense logically within the story or description.
- Common collocations (words that are often used together), such as "a brief period".
In this case, the phrase "a brief period" is a very common and natural way to describe a short duration of time.
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)?
