Analyzing the Passage for Blank 3

The question asks us to fill in blank number 3 in the given passage. The passage describes the aftermath of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption and the resulting tsunami that affected Tonga. The specific sentence containing blank 3 is: "Communications were ______(2)______ because there was only one undersea cable ______(3)_______ connected Tonga to the outside world."

We need to select the most appropriate word from the options that fits grammatically and contextually into blank 3. The blank follows the phrase "one undersea cable" and precedes the verb "connected". The word needed is a relative pronoun that connects the clause "connected Tonga to the outside world" to the noun phrase "one undersea cable". This clause tells us more about the specific undersea cable being referred to.

Understanding Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns are used to introduce relative clauses, which provide additional information about a noun or pronoun. Common relative pronouns include:

• Who: Used for people.
• Whom: Used for people (as an object).
• Whose: Used for possession (people or things).
• Which: Used for things or animals.
• That: Can be used for people, animals, or things, often in restrictive clauses.

In the sentence, the noun being described is "one undersea cable", which is a thing, not a person.

Evaluating the Options for Blank 3

Let's examine each option to determine which one correctly fits in blank 3:

1. who: This relative pronoun is used for people. Since "one undersea cable" is a thing, 'who' is incorrect.
2. that: This relative pronoun can be used for things (as well as people or animals). It is commonly used to introduce restrictive relative clauses, which provide essential information about the noun. The clause "connected Tonga to the outside world" is essential because it specifies *which* undersea cable caused the communication issues. Therefore, 'that' is a grammatically correct and appropriate choice here.
3. this: This is a demonstrative pronoun or adjective. It is not a relative pronoun and cannot connect the two parts of the sentence in the required way.
4. what: This word can introduce noun clauses (e.g., "I know what you mean") or be used as an interrogative pronoun. It is not used as a relative pronoun in this type of construction to modify a specific preceding noun like "one undersea cable".

Selecting the Correct Relative Pronoun

Based on the analysis, 'that' is the most appropriate relative pronoun to refer to "one undersea cable" and introduce the restrictive clause "connected Tonga to the outside world". The sentence structure requires a word that links the cable to its function described in the following clause.

The completed sentence segment is: "...there was only one undersea cable that connected Tonga to the outside world."

Conclusion on Filling Blank 3

The word 'that' correctly serves as a relative pronoun to link the noun "undersea cable" to the descriptive clause, explaining why communications were affected. The options 'who', 'this', and 'what' are grammatically incorrect or inappropriate in this context.

Revision Table: Relative Pronouns

Let's review the usage of common relative pronouns that refer to things or people.

Additional Information: Restrictive vs. Non-Restrictive Clauses

Understanding the type of relative clause can help determine which relative pronoun to use and whether commas are needed.

• Restrictive Clause: Provides essential information needed to identify the noun it modifies. The sentence's meaning changes if you remove the clause. Commas are NOT used. 'That' is often used for restrictive clauses referring to things.
• Non-Restrictive Clause: Provides extra, non-essential information about the noun. The sentence's meaning remains clear if you remove the clause. Commas ARE used to set it off. 'Which' is commonly used for non-restrictive clauses referring to things.

In the passage, "connected Tonga to the outside world" is essential information because it specifies *which* of potentially many undersea cables is relevant to the communication problem. It's a restrictive clause, making 'that' a suitable choice.