In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given. The first murder ever _____(1) in the United States occurred in September 1630, shortly after the Pilgrims arrived in Massachusetts. John Billington was the father of two sons, _____(2) the first to settle in the new Plymouth Colony near what is today Boston, and one of the people who signed the Mayflower Compact and he was also the colony’s first murderer. Billington, in fact, was the first person to commit any _____(3) in the colony, as far as we know today. He was also the first to be executed by the state in the New World. Billington’s crime was to _____(4) a man named John Newcomen, for reasons which are lost to history. But Billington’s problems had not begun on the soil of North America. He and his sons had nearly caused a mutiny aboard the Mayflower _____(5) the arduous trip across the ocean. One of his sons, in fact, _____(6) his gun aboard the Mayflower near an open keg of gunpowder! The flash from the gun could easily have ignited the powder, which would _____(7) have sunk the ship. Once in Plymouth Colony, Billington’s behaviour did not improve. He _____(8) to serve any form of military duty under the leadership of Miles Standish, a duty that was seen by the colonists as part of every man’s responsibilities in the New World. He was later suspected to be guilty, in a plot to overthrow the entire leadership of Plymouth Colony, _____(9) a lack of evidence prompted the town’s leaders to let him go free. In the end, Billington’s rebellious and angry nature caught up with him. He was found _____(10) of the murder of John Newcomen and died in disgrace on the gallows.
Select the most appropriate option to fill blank no 4.
shoot
Understanding the Passage and Fill-in-the-Blanks
The provided passage describes the first recorded murder in the United States, which occurred in the Plymouth Colony shortly after the Pilgrims arrived. It focuses on John Billington, one of the early settlers and the father of two sons. The passage details his history from the voyage on the Mayflower to his eventual execution for murder. We need to select the most appropriate word to fill each blank based on the context.
Analyzing Blank 4: Billington's Crime
Blank number 4 appears in the sentence: "Billington’s crime was to _____(4) a man named John Newcomen, for reasons which are lost to history." Later in the passage, it states, "He was found _____(10) of the murder of John Newcomen and died in disgrace on the gallows." This tells us that the action described in blank 4 was the specific act that led to John Newcomen's death, i.e., the murder.
Evaluating Options for Blank 4
Let's look at the given options for blank 4:
- shoot
- injure
- hurt
- wound
We need to choose the word that best describes the action of committing murder against John Newcomen. Consider the options in the context of a historical account of the first murder:
- Injure, Hurt, Wound: These words describe causing physical harm. While murder certainly involves injuring, hurting, or wounding, these terms are general and do not specify the *method* of causing death. One could injure, hurt, or wound someone without committing murder, or the injury/hurt/wound might not be the direct cause of death in all contexts.
- Shoot: This word implies using a projectile weapon, likely a firearm in this historical period. Being shot, especially in a vital area, is a common and direct cause of death, leading to murder. Given the historical setting and the direct link to "murder" mentioned later, "shoot" is a specific action that fits the crime of murder. The passage also mentions one of Billington's sons handling a gun near gunpowder on the Mayflower, indicating firearms were present.
Why 'Shoot' is the Correct Word
The passage explicitly states that Billington was found guilty of the murder of John Newcomen. Among the given options, "shoot" is the most likely and direct action that would result in murder in the context of early colonial life where firearms were present. While other methods of murder exist, "shoot" is a specific, violent action that strongly aligns with the subsequent mention of murder, making it the most appropriate word to fill blank 4.
Revision Table: Key Passage Details
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Event | First murder in the United States |
| Location | Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts |
| Date | September 1630 |
| Murderer | John Billington |
| Victim | John Newcomen |
| Billington's Fate | First execution in the New World |
Additional Information: Plymouth Colony History
The Plymouth Colony was one of the earliest successful English settlements in North America, founded by the Pilgrims in 1620. The Mayflower Compact was a significant document signed by the male passengers aboard the Mayflower, establishing a form of self-governance for the colony. Life in the early colony was challenging, involving difficult relations with some native tribes, internal conflicts, and the struggle for survival. John Billington's story, though dark, is a notable, albeit tragic, part of this early history, highlighting the harsh realities of life in the New World and the establishment of a legal system, including capital punishment.
Important Questions from Vocab Based Questions
Which of the following fits the blank (1) appropriately?
Which of the following fits the blank (2) appropriately?
Which of the following fits the blank (3) appropriately?
Which of the following fits the blank (4) appropriately?
Which of the following fits the blank (5) appropriately?
