Filling Blanks in Passage - Analyzing Blank 4

The question asks us to complete a passage by selecting the most appropriate word for blank number 4 from the given options. The passage describes a return home after some time and the joyful reaction of someone named Ratan upon seeing the narrator with a new baby.

Let's look at the part of the passage relevant to blank 4:

"He was ____ with joy."

This sentence describes Ratan's emotional state. The word needed should fit grammatically and contextually to express intense happiness or joy.

Analyzing Options for Blank 4

We need to choose the best word to fill the blank "He was ____ with joy." The options are:

1. bursting
2. singing
3. dancing
4. skipping

Let's evaluate each option:

• bursting: The phrase "bursting with joy" is a common idiom used to describe someone who is extremely happy, so happy that their joy feels overwhelming or full to overflowing. It fits perfectly to describe an intense feeling of happiness.
• singing: While singing can be an expression of joy, the phrase "singing with joy" usually describes the act of singing in a joyful manner, not the state of being overwhelmed by joy itself. It's less about the *intensity* of the emotion compared to "bursting with joy".
• dancing: Dancing is also an expression of joy, but "dancing with joy" describes the physical act of dancing happily. Similar to singing, it's an action rather than a description of the internal state of overwhelming happiness.
• skipping: Skipping is a physical activity often associated with happiness or lightheartedness, typically done while moving. "Skipping with joy" would describe this specific action, not the internal feeling of immense joy as well as "bursting with joy".

Determining the Most Appropriate Word for Joy

Considering the context "He was ____ with joy", the phrase needs to describe an intense state of happiness. The idiom "bursting with joy" is the most fitting expression for being overwhelmingly happy. The other options describe physical actions that can be associated with joy, but "bursting" describes the internal feeling of being full of intense joy.

Therefore, the most appropriate word to fill blank number 4 is "bursting". The complete phrase becomes "He was bursting with joy."

Final Answer for Blank 4

Based on the analysis of the options and the context of the passage describing Ratan's reaction, the word that best fits blank 4 is "bursting".

The completed sentence part reads: He was bursting with joy.

Revision Table: Understanding Idioms of Joy

Additional Information: Expressing Emotions in Writing

Using vivid language and idioms helps writers convey emotions effectively. Idioms are phrases whose meaning isn't obvious from the individual words. "Bursting with joy" is a good example of an idiom that strongly expresses intense happiness.

When filling blanks in a passage, it's important to consider:

• The grammatical correctness of the word in the sentence structure.
• The contextual meaning required by the surrounding text.
• Common collocations (words that often go together) and idioms.
• The tone and style of the passage.

In this passage, the tone is personal and focuses on a touching reunion, making the strong expression of joy with "bursting with joy" very suitable.