In the following passage some words have been deleted. Fill in the blanks with the help of the alternative given. Two hundred years ago, the treadmill was invented in England as a prison rehabilitation device. It was meant to cause the ________ (1) to suffer and learn from their sweat. It would mill a bit of corn or ________ (2) some water as a bonus. William Cubitt, a civil engineer raised in a family of millwrights, created the treadmill - which was also called a treadwheel in the early days- in 1818. Cubitt's early attempts at the treadmill's ________ (3) took many forms. Including two wheels you walked on, Whose cogs interlocked. But his most popular ________ (4), which was installed at Brixton Prison in London. ________ (5) a wide wheel. Prisoners pressed down with their feet on steps ________ (6) In the wheel, Which moved it, presenting them with the next step. The Brixton treadmill was hooked up to subterranean machinery that ________ (7) corn. This treadmill could keep as many as 24 prisoners ________ (8), standing side-by-side along the wheel. Some devices at other prisons were smaller, and most treadmills soon ________ (9) partitions, so convicts could not socialize. They ________ (10) for 10 hours a day in summer, and seven in winter.
Select the most appropriate option to fill blank no 2.
Pump
Understanding the Passage and the Question
The passage tells us the interesting history of the treadmill, which was first used in prisons in England about 200 years ago. It was invented as a way to make prisoners work hard as a form of rehabilitation. Besides making prisoners suffer and sweat, the treadmill had practical uses. It could "mill a bit of corn" and also perform another task related to "some water." The question asks us to choose the most appropriate word to fill the second blank, which describes what the treadmill did with water.
Analyzing Blank No. 2
The sentence containing blank number 2 is: "It would mill a bit of corn or ________ (2) some water as a bonus."
This sentence lists two things the treadmill could do besides just being a punishment: mill corn and perform an action related to water. We need a word that fits the context of a mechanical device (the treadmill) doing work involving water.
Evaluating the Options
Let's look at the given options for blank number 2:
- Pipe: A pipe is a tube used to transport fluids. It's a noun, not an action the treadmill performs on water. So, "pipe some water" doesn't make sense here.
- Tap: To tap water usually means to draw water from a supply, often using a tap or valve. While it involves water, it's not the primary mechanical work a large device like a treadmill would typically be built for in a prison setting as a means of hard labor.
- Save: Saving water is about conserving it, not a mechanical action performed by a machine like a treadmill. So, "save some water" is not appropriate here.
- Pump: To pump water means to use a mechanical device (like a pump) to move water, often against gravity or through a system. This is a type of work that requires energy and mechanical effort, making it a suitable task for a treadmill powered by human labor. Historically, treadmills were indeed used to power water pumps in prisons or other industrial settings.
Determining the Correct Word for the Blank
Considering the function of the treadmill as a device designed to perform mechanical work (like milling corn) and provide hard labor for prisoners, the most fitting action related to water that it could perform is pumping it. Pumping water requires significant effort, aligning with the purpose of the treadmill as a punishment and a source of power.
Therefore, the word that best fills blank number 2 is "Pump".
| Option | Meaning | Fit in Context |
|---|---|---|
| Pipe | A tube for water transport | Incorrect (Noun, not action) |
| Tap | Draw water from a source | Less likely (Not the primary work type) |
| Save | Conserve water | Incorrect (Not a mechanical action) |
| Pump | Move water using mechanical force | Correct (Common use of mechanical power) |
Revision Table: Key Concepts
| Term | Explanation | Relevance to Question |
|---|---|---|
| Treadmill | A device consisting of a moving belt or wheel stepped on by users; originally used for work or punishment. | Subject of the passage. |
| Rehabilitation Device | Equipment used to restore someone to health or normal life through training and therapy; in this case, through hard labor in prison. | Original purpose mentioned for the prison treadmill. |
| Mill Corn | To grind corn into flour using a mill. | One practical use of the treadmill mentioned. |
| Pump Water | To move water mechanically using a pump. | Another practical use of mechanical power, fitting the context. |
Additional Information on Prison Treadmills
Prison treadmills, also known as treadwheels, were a harsh form of punishment and labor used in the 19th century. Prisoners would step continuously on the rotating wheel for many hours a day. The energy generated by their stepping was used to power machinery, such as mills for grinding grain or pumps for lifting water. This made the hard labor serve a practical purpose while also being deliberately monotonous and difficult as a form of punishment. The design evolved over time, sometimes including partitions to prevent communication between prisoners, highlighting the focus on solitary suffering and labor.
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?
