Directions: In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given. Select the most appropriate option for each blank. The two men bowed to one (1)______ and parted. Tom found himself in a difficult (2)______. He was going to (3)______ three duels in a (4)______ of three hours. "Even if I am killed, it will be a (5)______ death," he thought.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no.5
glorious
Solving Fill in the Blanks: Passage Completion
This question requires us to fill in the blanks in a given passage using the most appropriate words from the provided options. The passage describes a character, Tom, facing a difficult situation involving duels.
Let's analyze the passage and the options for blank number 5.
The passage reads:
The two men bowed to one (1)______ and parted. Tom found himself in a difficult (2)______. He was going to (3)______ three duels in a (4)______ of three hours. "Even if I am killed, it will be a (5)______ death," he thought.
We need to choose the most appropriate word for blank number 5 from the given options:
- curious
- glorious
- spurious
- laborious
The sentence is: "Even if I am killed, it will be a (5)______ death," he thought.
Let's consider the context. Tom is facing three duels. Duels are historically often associated with honor, bravery, and significant risk, including death. The thought "Even if I am killed..." indicates he is contemplating his potential death in this context. We need a word that describes the quality of this death from his perspective.
- Curious: This means strange or unusual. While the situation of facing three duels might be curious, describing the *death* itself as merely curious doesn't fit the dramatic tone of facing duels.
- Glorious: This means having or deserving fame or admiration. Dying in a duel, especially when facing multiple opponents, could be perceived as a heroic or honorable act in certain contexts, thus considered 'glorious'. This fits the dramatic and potentially self-sacrificing nature of Tom's situation.
- Spurious: This means not genuine or true. A spurious death doesn't make sense in this context; it implies the death wouldn't be real, which contradicts the premise of being killed in a duel.
- Laborious: This means requiring considerable effort and time. While dying might be difficult, describing the *death* as laborious isn't the primary characteristic emphasized in the context of duels. The focus is more on the significance or manner of the death.
Considering the options and the context of facing duels, the word "glorious" best fits the blank. It suggests that even if Tom dies, his death would be seen as honorable or noteworthy due to the challenging circumstances he faces.
Therefore, the most appropriate option for blank number 5 is "glorious".
Understanding Key Vocabulary for Passage Completion
To effectively complete passages, understanding the nuances of vocabulary is crucial. Let's quickly review the options provided for blank 5:
| Word | Meaning | Relevance to Blank 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Curious | Eager to know or learn something; strange or unusual. | Doesn't fit the dramatic context of death in a duel. |
| Glorious | Having, worthy of, or bringing fame or admiration; magnificent. | Fits the context of an honorable or noteworthy death, often associated with bravery in conflict like duels. |
| Spurious | Not being what it purports to be; false or fake. | Does not make sense in the context of a real death. |
| Laborious | (especially of a task, process, or journey) Requiring much time and effort. | Describes the effort involved, not the significance or nature of the death itself in this context. |
Revision Table: Passage Completion Practice
| Blank Number | Context Clues | Reasoning | Appropriate Word Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | "Even if I am killed, it will be a (5)______ death," he thought. Facing duels. | Describes the perceived quality/significance of the death in a challenging, potentially honorable situation. | Adjective describing the noun 'death'. |
Additional Information: Context and Connotation in Fill-in-the-Blanks
Fill-in-the-blank questions often test your ability to understand the context and the connotations of words. The passage creates a specific mood and situation (facing duels, contemplation of death). The chosen word must fit this mood and situation. "Glorious" carries a connotation of honor, bravery, and significance, which aligns well with the historical and dramatic portrayal of duels, making it the best fit for describing a potential death in such circumstances.
Always read the sentences surrounding the blank carefully to grasp the full context before selecting an option. Eliminate options that clearly do not fit grammatically or semantically.
Important Questions from Cloze Test
What would come in blank space (1)?
What would come in blank space (2)?
What would come in blank space (3)?
What would come in blank space (4)?
What would come in blank space (5)?
