In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank. The contract (1) __________ the author and the reader is a game. And the game is one of the greatest inventions (2) __________ Western civilisation: the game of telling stories, inventing characters and creating the (3) ___________ paradise of the individual, from whence no one can be expelled (4) __________, in a novel, no one owns the truth and everyone has the right to be (5) _____________ and understood.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 1.
between
Understanding the Passage and Blank (1)
The passage describes the relationship between the author and the reader as a contract that is a game. We need to select the most appropriate word to fill in blank (1) in the sentence: "The contract (1) __________ the author and the reader is a game."
Let's examine the options provided:
- as
- between
- before
- beside
Analyzing the Options for Blank (1)
The sentence talks about a contract that involves two parties: the author and the reader. We need a word that correctly expresses the relationship or connection involving these two entities in the context of a contract.
Evaluating Option 1: as
Using "as" would result in: "The contract as the author and the reader is a game." "As" is typically used to indicate role, function, or comparison. In this context, "as" doesn't fit grammatically or logically to describe a contract involving two parties. A contract isn't typically described "as" two parties.
Evaluating Option 2: between
Using "between" would result in: "The contract between the author and the reader is a game." The word "between" is used to show a relationship or connection involving two people, things, or groups. A contract is a formal agreement, and agreements or relationships involving two parties are commonly described as being "between" those parties. This fits the context perfectly.
Evaluating Option 3: before
Using "before" would result in: "The contract before the author and the reader is a game." "Before" usually refers to time or position in front of something. It does not make sense in this sentence to describe the relationship of a contract with the author and the reader.
Evaluating Option 4: beside
Using "beside" would result in: "The contract beside the author and the reader is a game." "Beside" means next to. A contract cannot physically be next to abstract concepts like "author and the reader" in this relational sense. It's used for physical proximity.
Determining the Correct Word for Blank (1)
Based on the analysis, the word that correctly describes a contract involving two parties (the author and the reader) is "between". It establishes the necessary relationship between the two entities involved in the contract being discussed.
The completed sentence fragment is: "The contract between the author and the reader is a game."
Statement-wise Analysis
- "The contract (1) __________ the author and the reader..." - This phrase sets up a relationship concerning a contract, an author, and a reader.
- The options are prepositions or conjunctions that could potentially link "contract" and "the author and the reader."
- The term "contract" implies an agreement or relationship binding two or more parties.
- The most natural and grammatically correct way to express a contract involving two parties (author and reader) is to use the preposition "between".
| Option | Meaning/Usage | Fit in Sentence | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| as | Role, function, comparison | No | Doesn't show relationship between contract and parties. |
| between | Relationship/connection involving two entities | Yes | Correctly links the contract to the two parties involved. |
| before | Time or position | No | Irrelevant meaning in this context. |
| beside | Next to (physical proximity) | No | Incorrect meaning for an abstract relationship. |
Conclusion on Blank (1)
The most appropriate word to fill in blank (1) is "between", as it accurately describes the parties involved in the contract being discussed.
Revision Table: Understanding Prepositions
| Preposition | Common Usage Examples |
|---|---|
| Between | Used for two people or things; also used for more than two when specifying pairwise relationships or clear distinctions. Example: The negotiation is between the two companies. |
| Among | Used for three or more things or people considered as a group. Example: The prize was divided among the winners. |
| As | Used to mean 'in the role of', 'like', or 'at the same time that'. Example: He works as a teacher. |
| Before | Used to refer to an earlier time or in front of something. Example: Meet me before noon. |
| Beside | Used to mean next to. Example: Sit beside me. |
Additional Information: Contract between Parties
In legal and common language, a contract or agreement is always established "between" the parties involved. If there are two parties, it's "between" them. If there are multiple parties, and we are discussing the agreement as a whole involving all of them, "among" might sometimes be used (e.g., "an agreement among the member states"), but when specifying the parties directly as A and B, or A, B, and C entering an agreement together, "between" is often still preferred, especially in formal contexts or when highlighting the relationship involving distinct parties. In the given sentence, "the author and the reader" clearly refers to two distinct roles or entities involved, making "between" the correct choice to describe the contract.
Understanding how prepositions like "between", "among", "as", "before", and "beside" are used is crucial for selecting the correct word in fill-in-the-blank questions. Each preposition has specific uses related to relationships, time, position, or role.
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)?
