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 3.
with
Analyse the Fill in the Blanks Passage Question
The question asks us to complete a passage by filling in the blanks using the most appropriate words from the given alternatives. We need to select the best word for blank number 3.
The passage describes someone's return home after six months and seeing Ratan with a new baby, expressing great joy.
Focusing on Blank Number 3 in the Passage
Let's look at the sentence containing blank number 3:
"I had barely taken ____(2)____ my clothes when I saw Ratan standing ___(3)___ a new baby."
We need to choose a word from the options that best describes Ratan's relationship or position relative to the new baby while standing.
- Option 1: with
- Option 2: by
- Option 3: near
- Option 4: along
Let's examine each option in the context of "standing ___(3)___ a new baby":
- Standing with a new baby: This implies that Ratan is accompanied by the new baby. This is a common and natural way to express that someone is in the company of another person, especially a child they are caring for.
- Standing by a new baby: This means standing next to the baby. While grammatically correct, it describes physical proximity and is less specific about Ratan's role or connection to the baby compared to 'with'.
- Standing near a new baby: Similar to 'by', this also indicates physical proximity. It means being close to the baby but doesn't necessarily imply a direct relationship or responsibility for the baby.
- Standing along a new baby: The word 'along' typically means moving or extending in a line or path, or in addition to. Standing 'along' a baby doesn't form a standard or meaningful phrase in English to describe this situation. You might say 'along with' someone, but not simply 'along' someone.
Considering the context of Ratan seeing the baby and the subsequent expression of joy, the most fitting word to describe Ratan's state of being accompanied by the baby is "with". It suggests Ratan is together with the baby, likely holding or presenting the baby.
Filling in the Blanks
Based on the analysis for blank number 3, the most appropriate word is "with". Let's consider possible words for other blanks to see if "with" fits the overall flow (although the question only asks for blank 3):
- (1) after ___(1)___ six months: Common phrases are "after about six months" or "after nearly six months".
- (2) I had barely taken ___(2)____ my clothes: This usually means taking off clothes, so "off" or "out of" might fit, with "off" being more common after a journey.
- (4) He was ___(4)____ with joy: People are often "beaming with joy" or "radiant with joy" or simply "filled with joy". "Beaming" is a strong possibility here.
- (5) could not have ____(5)____ such joy: One might "felt" or "shown" or "experienced" such joy. "Felt" or "experienced" seems suitable here.
Let's try filling the passage with plausible words, including "with" for blank 3:
After my job was over, I went to Mumbai and returned after about six months. I had barely taken off my clothes when I saw Ratan standing with a new baby. He was beaming with joy. Even my daughter could not have felt such joy on finding her younger brother after several years.
This completed passage makes perfect sense, confirming that "with" is indeed the correct choice for blank number 3.
Conclusion for Blank 3
The most appropriate word to fill in blank number 3, considering the context of Ratan's presence with a new baby, is "with".
| Blank Number | Sentence Context | Selected Word | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | standing ___(3)___ a new baby | with | Implies being accompanied by or together with the baby, which fits the context of seeing Ratan with a baby. |
Revision Table: Mastering Fill in the Blanks
| Skill | Importance | How to Improve |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Essential for understanding the passage context and tone. | Read diverse texts regularly. Identify the main idea and flow. |
| Vocabulary | Knowing the meanings and common usage of words and prepositions. | Learn new words daily. Use a dictionary to understand nuances. |
| Grammar (especially Prepositions) | Crucial for choosing words that fit grammatically in the sentence structure. | Study rules of grammar, focusing on how words (like prepositions) connect parts of a sentence. Practice sentence construction. |
Additional Information: Understanding Prepositions
Prepositions are words that link a noun, pronoun, or phrase to other words in a sentence. They typically indicate relationships of location, direction, time, or manner. In the sentence, the preposition "with" shows the relationship between "Ratan" and "a new baby" in the action of "standing".
- Prepositions like "with", "by", and "near" can all indicate location or proximity, but they often carry different connotations:
- With: Often implies companionship, possession, or being together. (e.g., He is playing with his dog. She came with her friend.)
- By: Usually means next to, beside, or near a place. (e.g., The book is by the lamp. He stood by the door.)
- Near: Indicates being a short distance away. (e.g., The park is near the school. They sat near the window.)
Choosing the correct preposition depends heavily on the specific context and the intended meaning of the sentence.
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 2.
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.
