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 number. English vocabulary has ___(1)___ remarkable range, flexibility, and adaptability. Thanks to the periods ___(2)___ contact with foreign ___(3)___ and its readiness to ___(4)___ new words out of old elements. English seems to have far more words in its core ___(5)___ than other languages.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 4.
coin
Understanding the Fill-in-the-Blank Question on English Vocabulary
This question asks us to fill in the blank in a passage about English vocabulary. We need to choose the most appropriate word from the given options for blank number 4. The passage discusses the range, flexibility, and adaptability of English vocabulary.
Let's look at the sentence containing blank 4:
"Thanks to the periods ___(2)___ contact with foreign ___(3)___ and its readiness to ___(4)___ new words out of old elements."
The sentence explains *how* English vocabulary achieves its flexibility and adaptability. One way is contact with foreign languages (blanks 2 and 3). The other way is its readiness to do something with "new words out of old elements." This suggests a process of creating or inventing new words using existing parts of the language.
Analyzing Options for Blank 4: Creating New Words
Let's examine each option provided for blank 4:
- discard: This word means to get rid of something or throw it away. This does not fit the context of creating or developing new words from existing elements.
- coin: This word means to invent or create a new word or phrase. This is a common term used to describe the process of forming new words, often by combining existing parts or giving a new meaning to an old word. This aligns well with the phrase "new words out of old elements."
- shed: This word typically means to get rid of something naturally (like an animal shedding skin) or to cast light. It is not used in the context of creating language or words.
- think: This word means to form ideas or opinions in the mind. While thinking is involved in language creation, "think new words" is not the idiomatic or precise term for the process described, especially when it involves using "old elements." The verb needed is one that specifically means 'to create a new word'.
Selecting the Most Appropriate Word
Based on the analysis, the word that best describes the action of creating new words from existing parts (old elements) is "coin". The phrase "to coin a word" is a standard expression in English.
Let's insert "coin" into the sentence:
"...and its readiness to coin new words out of old elements."
This sentence now makes perfect sense in the context of explaining the development and adaptability of English vocabulary. English is flexible because it can easily create new words using the building blocks it already has.
Conclusion
The most appropriate option to fill blank number 4 is "coin". This word accurately reflects the process of creating new words, which contributes to the richness and flexibility of English vocabulary discussed in the passage.
| Option | Meaning | Fit for Blank 4 |
|---|---|---|
| discard | To get rid of | No (Means removing, not creating) |
| coin | To invent (a word) | Yes (Fits "new words out of old elements") |
| shed | To cast off; to emit | No (Not related to word creation) |
| think | To form ideas | No (Not the specific action of creating a word) |
Revision Table: Key Vocabulary and Concepts
| Term | Definition | Relevance to Passage |
|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary | The body of words used in a particular language. | The main subject of the passage. |
| Adaptability | The quality of being able to adjust to new conditions. | A key characteristic of English vocabulary discussed. |
| Coin (a word) | To invent a new word or phrase. | The action that helps English create new vocabulary from old elements. |
| Old elements | Existing parts of the language (roots, affixes, existing words). | Used as building blocks to coin new words. |
Additional Information: How English Vocabulary Grows
English vocabulary is indeed known for its vastness and ability to incorporate new words. Here are some ways new words enter or are created in English:
- Borrowing: Taking words from other languages (e.g., 'kindergarten' from German, 'sushi' from Japanese). The passage alludes to this with "contact with foreign".
- Coinage: Inventing entirely new words, although this is rare (e.g., 'Kodak').
- Derivation: Adding prefixes or suffixes to existing words (e.g., 'unhappy' from 'happy', 'quickly' from 'quick'). This uses "old elements" (the base word and the affix).
- Compounding: Combining two or more existing words (e.g., 'sunrise', 'keyboard'). This also uses "old elements" (the component words).
- Conversion (Zero Derivation): Using a word from one word class in another word class without changing its form (e.g., 'email' (noun) > 'to email' (verb)). Uses an "old element" (the noun) in a new way.
- Blending: Combining parts of two words to form a new one (e.g., 'smog' from 'smoke' + 'fog', 'brunch' from 'breakfast' + 'lunch'). Uses "old elements" (parts of existing words).
- Clipping: Shortening a word (e.g., 'flu' from 'influenza', 'exam' from 'examination'). Uses an "old element" (part of the word).
The blank in the passage specifically refers to creating "new words out of old elements," which encompasses processes like derivation, compounding, conversion, blending, and clipping, all of which can be broadly described by the term "coin" when referring to the invention of the word.
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)?
