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 6.
embedded
Understanding the Treadmill History Passage: Filling Blank 6
The question asks us to select the most appropriate word to fill blank number 6 in the provided passage about the history of the treadmill. Let's look at the sentence containing blank 6:
"Prisoners pressed down with their feet on steps ________ (6) In the wheel, Which moved it, presenting them with the next step."
This sentence describes how the steps were physically related to the wheel of the treadmill. We need a word that explains how the steps were positioned or attached within the wheel.
Let's examine the given options:
- entrenched: This word usually means firmly established and difficult to change, often used for ideas, attitudes, or positions. It doesn't fit the physical description of steps in a wheel.
- adorned: This means decorated or enhanced. Steps might be decorated, but this word describes adding decoration, not how they are structurally placed in the wheel.
- embellished: Similar to adorned, this means made more attractive by adding decorative details. Again, it describes decoration rather than the fundamental structural placement.
- embedded: This means fixed firmly in a surrounding mass. This word accurately describes how steps would be placed or fixed within the material or structure of the wheel itself. The steps are part of the wheel's structure, fixed within it.
Considering the context of steps being part of and fixed within the wheel's structure, the word that best describes this relationship is "embedded". The steps were not just sitting on top or decorating the wheel; they were built into it, fixed firmly within its mass.
Therefore, the most appropriate option to fill blank number 6 is embedded.
| Blank No. | Sentence Fragment | Options | Best Fit | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | steps ________ In the wheel | entrenched, adorned, embellished, embedded | embedded | Describes steps being fixed firmly within the wheel's structure. |
Revision Table: Key Vocabulary for Passage Completion
Understanding the precise meaning of words is crucial for filling blanks correctly in passages.
| Word | Meaning | Context Example |
|---|---|---|
| Entrenched | (of an attitude, habit, or belief) firmly established and difficult or unlikely to change; (of a military force) occupying a strong defensive position. | Entrenched habits are hard to break. |
| Adorned | Decorated or enhanced. | The room was adorned with flowers. |
| Embellished | Made more attractive by the addition of decorative details or features; (of a story) made more interesting by adding extra details, especially ones that are not true. | The dress was embellished with beads. |
| Embedded | Fixed firmly in a surrounding mass; (of an idea or feeling) existing as an essential part of something. | The stone is embedded in the wall. |
Additional Information: Treadmill Design and History
The passage provides interesting details about the early design and purpose of the treadmill.
- The early treadmills were used as a form of punishment and rehabilitation in prisons, not for exercise as they are today.
- William Cubitt's design involved prisoners walking on steps fixed within a large wheel, which would then power machinery, like milling corn.
- The introduction of partitions on later treadmills shows an effort to prevent communication among prisoners during the arduous labor.
- The intensity of the work is highlighted by the long hours prisoners were expected to spend on the treadwheel daily.
Choosing the correct word in a fill-in-the-blank question often requires careful consideration of the context, the specific sentence structure, and the precise meanings of the provided options.
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Important Questions from Vocab Based Questions
Select whichever word you consider most appropriate for the blank (1)
Select whichever word you consider most appropriate for the blank (2)
Select whichever word you consider most appropriate for the blank (3)
Select whichever word you consider most appropriate for the blank (4)
Select whichever word you consider most appropriate for the blank (5)
