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Question

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 1.

This question was previously asked in
SSC Stenographer 2018 Previous Year Paper (08-Feb-2019) (Shift 2)
The correct answer is

incarcerated

Understanding the Treadmill Passage and Blank 1

The passage discusses the historical context of the treadmill's invention, specifically its use as a rehabilitation device in English prisons about two hundred years ago. The device was intended to make the people using it suffer as part of their punishment and learning process.

The sentence containing blank 1 is: "It was meant to cause the ________ (1) to suffer and learn from their sweat."

We need to identify the word that best describes the people who were subjected to this suffering on the treadmill in prison.

Analyzing the Options for Blank 1

Let's look at the provided options and see which one fits the context of people in prison:

  • Internalized: This word means to make something, such as feelings, attitudes, or beliefs, part of one's own nature by learning or unconscious assimilation. It describes a process or a state of mind, not the people themselves in the context of prison.
  • inculcated: This means to instill an idea, attitude, or habit by persistent instruction. Like "internalized," this describes an action or process, not the people using the treadmill in prison.
  • incarcerated: This is the past tense or past participle of "incarcerate," which means to imprison or confine. "The incarcerated" refers to people who have been imprisoned. This directly aligns with the passage's topic of treadmills in prisons used by prisoners.
  • intimidated: This means to frighten or overawe someone, especially in order to make them do what one wants. While people in prison might feel intimidated, the word describes a feeling or action, not the general state or identity of being the people in prison using the device.

Selecting the Correct Word for Blank 1

Based on the analysis, the word that most appropriately describes the people who were in prison and meant to use the treadmill is "incarcerated." The phrase "the incarcerated" is a way to refer to people who are imprisoned.

Therefore, the most appropriate option to fill blank no 1 is "incarcerated".

Option Meaning Fit in Context?
Internalized Made part of one's nature No
inculcated Instilled ideas/habits No
incarcerated Imprisoned (refers to people) Yes
intimidated Frightened/Overawed No

Conclusion for Blank 1

The context of the passage clearly points to the people using the treadmill being prisoners. The word "incarcerated" specifically means imprisoned, making "the incarcerated" a suitable term for the individuals subjected to the treadmill's suffering in the historical prison setting.

Revision Table: Key Concepts

Term Context in Passage Relevance to Blank 1
Treadmill Prison rehabilitation device, causes suffering The device used by the people in Blank 1
Prison Setting where treadmill was used The location of the people in Blank 1
Suffer Purpose of the treadmill What the people in Blank 1 were meant to do
Incarcerated Meaning: Imprisoned Describes the state of the people in Blank 1

Additional Information: Treadmill History and Vocabulary

The passage provides a brief history of the early treadmill, highlighting its original punitive purpose in prisons rather than its modern use for exercise. Understanding this historical context is crucial for selecting the correct vocabulary.

  • Prison Rehabilitation: In the 19th century, the idea of making prisoners perform hard labor was seen as a way to punish them and potentially reform their character through discipline and suffering.
  • William Cubitt: The civil engineer credited with inventing the prison treadmill. His invention was designed to be arduous and monotonous.
  • Treadwheel: Another term used for the early treadmill, emphasizing its wheel-like structure that prisoners had to step on to make it turn.
  • Vocabulary Note: Words like "internalized," "inculcated," and "intimidated" are common vocabulary but do not describe the identity or state of being imprisoned in the same way that "incarcerated" does. "The incarcerated" functions as a noun phrase referring to the group of prisoners.
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Important Questions from Vocab Based Questions

  1. Select whichever word you consider most appropriate for the blank (1)

  2. Select whichever word you consider most appropriate for the blank (2)

  3. Select whichever word you consider most appropriate for the blank (3)

  4. Select whichever word you consider most appropriate for the blank (4)

  5. Select whichever word you consider most appropriate for the blank (5)

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