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. A city, predominantly made of red sandstone, Fatehpur Sikri (1)______ founded in the 16 th century by the Mughal Emperor, Akbar. It is essentially a fortified city (2)______ had been the capital of Akbar (3)______ fifteen years. Now a UNESCO world heritage site (4)______ a famous tourist attraction, it is a fine (5)______ of Mughal architecture.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3.
for
Understanding the Passage and the Blank
The passage describes the historical city of Fatehpur Sikri, focusing on its origin, structure, and status. It mentions that the city was founded by Emperor Akbar and served as his capital for a specific period. The question asks us to fill in blank number 3, which is part of the sentence: "It is essentially a fortified city (2)______ had been the capital of Akbar (3)______ fifteen years." We need to choose the most appropriate preposition to indicate the duration mentioned.
Analyzing the Options for Blank 3
Let's examine the given options and see which one fits the context of expressing a duration of time, specifically "fifteen years," during which Fatehpur Sikri served as Akbar's capital.
- by: This preposition typically indicates the agent performing an action ("built by Akbar") or a deadline ("complete by Friday"). It is not used to specify a duration.
- since: This preposition indicates a starting point in time from which an action or state has continued up to the present or a specified past point ("He has lived here since 2010", "It had been raining since morning"). It is used with a specific point in time (a date, a time, an event), not usually with a period of time like "fifteen years" when referring to how long something *had been* the case.
- for: This preposition is commonly used to indicate a duration of time ("He slept for eight hours", "They waited for twenty minutes"). When referring to how long something lasted or had been the case, "for" is the correct choice to use with a period of time like "fifteen years".
- from: This preposition usually indicates a starting point in time or space ("The journey starts from 9 AM", "He came from London"). While it can be used with 'to' to indicate a range ("from 2010 to 2020"), it is not used alone to indicate a simple duration like "for fifteen years".
Selecting the Most Appropriate Option
The sentence states that Fatehpur Sikri "had been the capital of Akbar ______ fifteen years". The phrase "fifteen years" represents the total length of time it served as the capital. To express this duration, the preposition "for" is the most suitable choice in English grammar.
The completed phrase would be "had been the capital of Akbar for fifteen years". This correctly conveys that the city served as the capital for that specific period.
Conclusion on Blank 3
Based on the analysis of the options and the requirement to express a duration of time, the most appropriate word to fill in blank number 3 is "for".
| Option | Preposition | Suitability for Duration | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | by | No | Used for agent or deadline, not duration. |
| 2 | since | No | Used for a starting point in time, not a period when expressing total duration. |
| 3 | for | Yes | Used to express a duration of time. |
| 4 | from | No | Used for a starting point in time or space, not a simple duration. |
Revision Table: Key Prepositions for Time
| Preposition | Usage for Time | Example |
|---|---|---|
| For | Duration (how long something lasts) | He lived in Delhi for five years. |
| Since | Starting point of a period continuing until now (or a past reference point) | She has been studying since morning. |
| By | Indicates a deadline or the latest time something will happen | Please submit the report by Friday. |
| From | Starting point in a sequence or range (often with 'to' or 'until') | The event runs from 10 AM to 4 PM. |
Additional Information: Fatehpur Sikri and Mughal History
Fatehpur Sikri is a fascinating example of Mughal architecture and planning. Founded by Emperor Akbar, it was intended to be a grand capital city. However, it was famously abandoned relatively shortly after its construction, often attributed to water scarcity. Despite its brief period as the capital, the city's well-preserved buildings provide valuable insights into the Mughal era. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its historical and architectural significance. The passage highlights that it served as Akbar's capital for approximately fifteen years, which is a key detail in its history.
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)?
