In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank. A question like "How big is Faerie?” does not admit (1)_________ a simple answer. Faerie, after all, is not one land, one principality or (2)_________ Maps of Faerie are unreliable, and may not be (3)_________ upon. Faerie is bigger than England, as it is bigger than the world. In the middle of a wood so thick it was very nearly a forest was a small hut, (4)_________ of thatch and grey clay. A yellow bird in a cage sat on its perch outside the house. It did not sing, and sat (5)_________ silent.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 5.
mournfully
Understanding the Passage and Blank 5
The passage describes the mysterious nature of Faerie and then shifts focus to a small hut in a thick wood where a silent yellow bird sits in a cage. The question asks us to choose the most appropriate word to fill in blank number 5, which describes how the bird sat.
The sentence containing blank 5 is: "It did not sing, and sat (5)_________ silent." We need a word that describes the manner in which the bird sat silently, especially given the preceding phrase "It did not sing". The fact that the bird is not singing suggests it might be unhappy, sad, or in a state contrary to cheerfulness.
Analyzing Options for Blank 5
Let's examine the given options for blank number 5:
- blissfully: This word means extremely happy or joyful. If the bird were sitting blissfully, it would likely be singing, not silent.
- mournfully: This word means expressing sorrow or sadness. A bird that is not singing might be doing so because it is sad or mournful. This fits the context of silence due to a lack of cheerfulness.
- gaily: This word means cheerfully or lightheartedly. Like 'blissfully', this suggests happiness and would likely be accompanied by singing, not silence.
- chirpily: This word means in a cheerful and lively way, characteristic of a bird chirping. This is the opposite of being silent and not singing.
Selecting the Best Fit for Blank 5
Considering the context "It did not sing, and sat (5)_________ silent," the most logical word to describe the bird's silent state is one that implies a reason for not singing. The options suggesting happiness (blissfully, gaily, chirpily) contradict the idea of the bird being silent and not singing. The word 'mournfully' suggests a state of sadness or sorrow, which provides a plausible reason for a bird to be silent instead of singing.
Therefore, 'mournfully' is the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 5, suggesting the bird sat silently in a sad or sorrowful manner.
Step-by-Step Filling of Blank 5
- Identify the sentence: "It did not sing, and sat (5)_________ silent."
- Note the key information: The bird "did not sing" and was "silent".
- Consider what kind of adverb would describe sitting silently, especially when a bird is expected to sing.
- Evaluate each option based on its meaning and how it fits the context of a silent, non-singing bird.
Blissfully: Means happily. Doesn't fit silence and not singing.
Mournfully: Means sadly. Fits silence and not singing.
Gaily: Means cheerfully. Doesn't fit silence and not singing.
Chirpily: Means lively/cheerfully (like chirping). Doesn't fit silence and not singing.
- Conclude that 'mournfully' is the best fit as it provides a reason (sadness) for the bird's silence and lack of singing.
Comparison of Options for Blank 5
| Option | Meaning | Fits Context? ("Did not sing" and "sat silent") | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| blissfully | Extremely happy | No | Happy birds usually sing. |
| mournfully | Expressing sorrow | Yes | Sadness can cause a bird to be silent. |
| gaily | Cheerfully | No | Cheerful birds usually sing. |
| chirpily | Lively and cheerful (like chirping) | No | Opposite of being silent and not singing. |
Based on the analysis, 'mournfully' is the only option that logically completes the sentence and describes the state of a bird that is silent and not singing.
Revision Table: Blank 5 Analysis
| Blank Number | Sentence Context | Correct Word | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | It did not sing, and sat (5)_________ silent. | mournfully | The bird's silence and lack of singing suggest sadness or sorrow, which is conveyed by 'mournfully'. Other options implying happiness contradict the bird's state. |
Additional Information: Adverbs of Manner
Adverbs of manner describe how an action is performed. In this case, 'mournfully' describes how the bird sat. They often end in '-ly'. Examples include quickly, slowly, happily, sadly, loudly, quietly, etc. Choosing the correct adverb depends heavily on the context of the verb and the surrounding sentence.
In the given sentence, the adverb modifies the verb 'sat', describing the manner of sitting. The context of 'not singing' strongly influences the choice of adverb, ruling out those that suggest happiness or cheerfulness.
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)?
