The latest football league season concluded with a ___(1)___ of unexpected turns and thrilling finishes. Many pre-season favorites found themselves ___(2)___ to maintain consistency, while a few underdog teams rose to ___(3)___ the established order. The eventual champions, a team widely considered to be rebuilding, displayed remarkable ___(4)___ and team cohesion, snatching the title on the final day. Their star midfielder, despite an early injury scare, managed to ___(5)___ a series of crucial goals and assists, cementing his status as the player of the season. Meanwhile, the struggle for European qualification was equally ___(6)___ , with multiple clubs battling fiercely until the last whistle. This intense competition has ___(7)___ those who feared a predictable league, instead offering a vibrant display of talent and strategy. However, the season was not without its ___(8)___ . Concerns over player burnout due to a congested fixture list and the financial health of smaller clubs continue to ___(9)___ a shadow over the sport. Despite these challenges, the league’s ability to attract and ___(10)___ millions of fans worldwide remains undiminished, underscoring its pivotal role in global sports entertainment.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 7.
Witness
Cricket IPL World Cup Preview for Blank 7
This question requires us to select the most appropriate word to fill in blank number 7 within the provided passage. The specific sentence we are focusing on is:
"In a year that will ___(7)___ the ICC Twenty20 World Cup, the league was a selection primer."
Our task is to find the word that makes this sentence grammatically correct and contextually sound, given the surrounding text about cricket.
Understanding the Context for Blank 7
The passage discusses the Indian Premier League (IPL) and its significance in the context of international cricket tournaments. The sentence in question suggests that the IPL season is taking place during a year when the ICC Twenty20 World Cup is also scheduled. The term "selection primer" indicates that the IPL serves as an important preparatory phase, likely for selecting players who will represent their countries in the upcoming World Cup.
Detailed Analysis of Options
Let's examine each provided option to determine the best fit for blank 7:
- Option 1: Stubbornness
The word 'stubbornness' implies resistance to change. A year cannot be stubborn towards an event like the World Cup. This choice does not align logically or grammatically with the sentence's intended meaning. - Option 2: Exactness
'Exactness' refers to precision or accuracy. While player selection might strive for exactness, the sentence structure "a year that will exactness the ICC Twenty20 World Cup" is incorrect. A year itself doesn't possess or display exactness in this manner. - Option 3: Awareness
'Awareness' means having knowledge or perception of something. Although the IPL might increase awareness about the World Cup, the phrase "a year that will awareness the ICC Twenty20 World Cup" is grammatically flawed. One cannot 'awareness' an event. - Option 4: Effectiveness
'Effectiveness' relates to producing a desired result. This word does not fit the context, as a year does not demonstrate effectiveness towards an event in the way implied by the sentence. - Option 5: Witness
The verb 'witness' means to see or be present at an event. A year can logically 'witness' an event, signifying that the event occurs within that year. Therefore, the sentence "In a year that will witness the ICC Twenty20 World Cup..." makes perfect sense. It establishes that the World Cup is happening in the same year as the IPL, reinforcing the idea that the IPL acts as a crucial preparatory stage and player selection guide for the World Cup.
Final Selection for Blank 7
Considering the contextual relevance and grammatical correctness, 'witness' is the most suitable word to fill blank 7. It correctly links the IPL season to the occurrence of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup in the same calendar year, highlighting the IPL's role as a significant preparatory event for international competitions.
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)?
