Analyzing the Passage and Filling Blank 9

The question asks us to fill in blank number 9 in the provided passage about the history of the treadmill. The passage discusses the invention of the treadmill as a prison rehabilitation device and how its design evolved. We need to select the most appropriate word from the given options to complete the sentence containing blank 9.

Let's look at the sentence with blank 9:

"Some devices at other prisons were smaller, and most treadmills soon ________ (9) partitions, so convicts could not socialize."

This sentence describes a design change in treadmills. It mentions "partitions" were added to prevent prisoners from socializing. We need a verb that shows how treadmills came to have these partitions.

Evaluating the Options for Blank 9

Let's examine each option:

• Option 1: resided
• Meaning: Lived in a particular place.
• Fit: This does not make sense in the context. Treadmills are inanimate objects; they don't reside.

• Option 2: divided
• Meaning: Separated into parts, or caused to separate.
• Fit: While partitions *divide* spaces, the sentence structure here is "treadmills soon divided partitions". This implies treadmills performed the action of dividing the partitions themselves, which is incorrect. If the sentence were "treadmills were divided by partitions", it might fit, but that's not the structure given.

• Option 3: included
• Meaning: Contained or had as part of something; made a part of.
• Fit: This fits perfectly. It means the treadmills started to have partitions as part of their structure or design. "Most treadmills soon included partitions" means partitions became a feature of most treadmills. This aligns with the purpose mentioned: "so convicts could not socialize."

• Option 4: examined
• Meaning: Inspected or looked at closely.
• Fit: Treadmills didn't "examine" partitions. This option is completely unrelated to the context of adding design features.

Determining the Correct Word for Blank 9

Based on the analysis, the word that best fits the blank, both grammatically and contextually, is "included". It correctly describes how partitions became a part of the treadmills to prevent prisoner interaction.

Completed Passage (with focus on Blank 9)

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 included (9) partitions, so convicts could not socialize. They ________ (10) for 10 hours a day in summer, and seven in winter.

Conclusion

The most appropriate word to fill blank number 9 is "included". This indicates that partitions were added to or became part of the treadmills.

Revision Table: Treadmill History and Design Changes

Understanding the historical context of the treadmill as a prison device helps in correctly filling the blanks in this passage. Key aspects include its purpose (rehabilitation/punishment), its early function (milling corn/pumping water), its inventor, and modifications made to its design, such as adding partitions.

Additional Information: Prison Treadmills

Prison treadmills, also known as treadwheels, were used extensively in British prisons in the 19th century. Their primary purpose was hard labour as a form of punishment, though they were also sometimes connected to machinery for useful work like grinding grain or pumping water. The work was arduous and monotonous, intended to be punitive and potentially rehabilitative through discipline. The addition of partitions, as mentioned in the passage, was a specific design feature aimed at preventing communication among prisoners, further isolating them during their labour.