In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given.
After my job was over, I went to Mumbai and returned after ___(1)___ six months. I had barely taken ___(2)____ my clothes when I saw Ratan standing ___(3)___ a new baby. He was ___(4)____ with joy. Even my daughter could not have ____(5)____ such joy on finding her younger brother after several years.
Select the most appropriate option that will fill in the blank number 2.
off
Understanding Fill in the Blanks: English Passage Completion
The question asks us to complete a passage by filling in the second blank with the most appropriate word from the given options. The passage describes a person returning home after some time away and observing a scene involving Ratan and a baby.
Analyzing Blank Number 2
The sentence containing blank number 2 is: "I had barely taken ___(2)____ my clothes when I saw Ratan standing ___."
We need to find the word that fits grammatically and contextually with "taken" and "my clothes" to describe an action the narrator performed upon returning home.
Evaluating the Options
Let's examine each option:
- away: If someone "takes away" clothes, it usually means they remove them from a location, often permanently or for a specific purpose like washing or donation. This doesn't fit the context of the narrator getting home.
- over: To "take over" something means to assume control or responsibility for it. This makes no sense in relation to clothes.
- of: The phrase "taken of my clothes" is not a standard grammatical construction in English. "Of" typically indicates possession or relationship, which isn't the intended meaning here.
- off: To "take off" clothes is a common idiom meaning to remove clothing from one's body. This action is natural when someone returns home after being away for an extended period, fitting perfectly with the context of the passage. The phrase "taken off" is the past participle form used correctly with "had".
Determining the Correct Word
Based on the analysis, the most appropriate word for blank number 2 is "off". The phrase "taken off my clothes" correctly describes the action of removing clothing after arriving home.
Completing the Passage (with blank 2 filled)
Let's see how the passage reads with "off" in blank 2:
"After my job was over, I went to Mumbai and returned after ___(1)___ six months. I had barely taken off my clothes when I saw Ratan standing ___(3)___ a new baby. He was ___(4)____ with joy. Even my daughter could not have ____(5)____ such joy on finding her younger brother after several years."
The completed sentence "I had barely taken off my clothes..." flows correctly and makes sense in the context of someone returning home.
Final Answer Selection
Comparing our conclusion with the given options, option 4, "off", is the correct word to fill in blank number 2.
| Blank Number | Context | Correct Word | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Taken ___ my clothes | off | "Take off" is an idiom meaning to remove clothing. |
Revision Table: Key Vocabulary and Idioms
| Word/Phrase | Meaning in Context | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Taken off (clothes) | Removed clothing from one's body. | She was tired and decided to take off her shoes. |
| Barely | Only just; almost not. | He barely made the train before it left. |
Additional Information: Phrasal Verbs with "Take"
The word "take" combines with various prepositions or adverbs to form phrasal verbs, each with a different meaning. Understanding these can help with fill-in-the-blank questions.
- Take off: to remove clothing; (for aircraft) to leave the ground; to become successful quickly.
- Take away: to remove something; to subtract.
- Take over: to gain control of something.
- Take on: to accept a task or responsibility; to employ someone.
- Take up: to start a hobby or sport; to occupy time or space.
In this passage, the phrasal verb "take off" is used in its meaning of removing clothing.
Important Questions from Vocab Based Questions
Select the most appropriate option that will fill in the blank number 1.
Select the most appropriate option that will fill in the blank number 3.
Select the most appropriate option that will fill in the blank number 4.
Select the most appropriate option that will fill in the blank number 5.
- Fill in the blank (1) with the most appropriate option.
