In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank. Poetry and novels became very (1)______ in the 18th century. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe was published in 1719. This is regarded as the first successful English novel. It is partly based on the true life adventures of a traveller called Alexander Selkirk. Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s travels was written in 1726 and (2) ______ four imaginary journeys of a ship’s doctor named Gulliver. Poetry (3) ______ around British people and places. Poets also considered nature as a source of (4) ______ . The poets wrote in a simple style and language so that the (5) ______ masses could understand it.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3.
revolved
Analyzing the Passage and Filling Blank 3
The question asks us to select the most appropriate word to fill in blank number 3 in the given passage about 18th-century literature. The passage discusses the popularity of poetry and novels during this period and mentions specific works and characteristics.
Let's look at the sentence containing blank 3:
"Poetry (3) ______ around British people and places."
We need a word that fits grammatically and makes sense in the context of what poetry in the 18th century was often about. The phrase "around British people and places" suggests the subject matter or themes of the poetry.
Evaluating the Options for Blank 3
Let's consider the meaning of each provided option:
- revolved: This word means to move in a circle around a central point, or metaphorically, to be centered on or focused on something. If poetry "revolved around" British people and places, it means these were the main subjects or themes.
- encircled: This means to surround something. Poetry doesn't surround people or places in this sense.
- revolutionised: This means to completely change something, often in a dramatic way. If poetry "revolutionised around" people and places, it would imply a change happening around them, which doesn't fit the description of the poetry's subject matter.
- executed: This means carried out, performed, or put into effect, often a plan or action. This word is completely out of context when talking about what poetry is about.
Selecting the Most Appropriate Word
Based on the analysis of the sentence and the options, the word that best fits the context is "revolved". The phrase "revolved around" is commonly used to describe something that is centered on or focused on a particular topic or theme. In this case, the poetry of the 18th century often focused on or was centered around themes related to British people and places.
Therefore, filling blank 3 with "revolved" results in the sentence: "Poetry revolved around British people and places." This sentence makes logical sense within the context of the passage, describing the typical subjects of 18th-century poetry.
Let's re-read the relevant part of the passage with the chosen word:
"Poetry revolved around British people and places. Poets also considered nature as a source of (4) ______ . The poets wrote in a simple style and language so that the (5) ______ masses could understand it."
This flow confirms that "revolved" is the correct fit for describing the themes of the poetry.
Conclusion
The most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3 is 'revolved', as it accurately describes the focus or central themes of 18th-century poetry discussed in the passage.
| Blank Number | Sentence Part | Correct Word | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Poetry (3) ______ around British people and places. | revolved | 'Revolved around' means centered on or focused on. This fits the description of poetry's subject matter. |
Revision Table: Key Concepts from the Passage
| Concept | Description |
|---|---|
| 18th Century Literature | Period when novels and poetry became very popular. |
| Robinson Crusoe | First successful English novel (published 1719) by Daniel Defoe. |
| Gulliver's Travels | Novel by Jonathan Swift (published 1726) describing imaginary journeys. |
| 18th Century Poetry Themes | Often focused on British people and places, nature. |
| 18th Century Poetry Style | Simple style and language for wider understanding. |
Additional Information: Understanding 'Revolved Around'
The phrase "revolved around" is a common idiom used to indicate that something is the central theme, topic, or focus of a discussion, activity, or work. For example:
- "The conversation revolved around the upcoming exams." (The main topic was exams.)
- "His life revolved around his work." (His work was the most important thing in his life.)
- "The plot of the movie revolved around a stolen artifact." (The central story was about a stolen artifact.)
In the context of the passage, "Poetry revolved around British people and places" means that British people and places were the main subjects or themes that poets wrote about during that time.
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)?
