Understanding the Fill-in-the-Blank Question

The question asks us to select the most appropriate word to fill in blank No. 1 in the given passage about the Valley of Flowers National Park. The passage describes the park, its location, and what it is known for. Blank No. 1 is part of the sentence: "(1)______ richly diverse area is also home to rare and endangered animals..."

We need to choose a word that correctly refers back to the subject of the previous sentence, which is the "Valley of Flowers National Park," described as "an Indian national park" and "a richly diverse area."

Analyzing Options for Blank No. 1

Let's look at the given options and evaluate which one best fits the context of blank No. 1:

• That: This word can be used as a determiner or pronoun. While it can refer to a singular noun previously mentioned, it often implies something further away or is used to distinguish one item from others. In this context, referring directly to the park just introduced, "That" might not be the most immediate or natural choice.
• These: This word is the plural form of "this." The phrase immediately following the blank is "richly diverse area." The word "area" is singular. Therefore, "These" cannot be used to modify a singular noun like "area." This option is grammatically incorrect here.
• This: This word is a singular determiner or pronoun used to refer to a person, thing, or idea that is near or has been recently mentioned or is being introduced as the current subject of discussion. The passage has just introduced the "Valley of Flowers National Park" and described it as "an Indian national park." Referring to it immediately after as "This richly diverse area" is a very common and natural way to continue discussing the subject. It directly points back to the singular park/area just mentioned.
• Which: This word is primarily used as a relative pronoun to introduce a clause that adds extra information about a noun (e.g., "the park, which is known for its flowers..."). It is not typically used as a simple determiner before a noun like in the structure "(1)______ richly diverse area." Grammatically, "Which richly diverse area..." doesn't make sense in this sentence structure.

Choosing the Most Appropriate Word

Based on the analysis, the phrase "richly diverse area" refers to the singular entity, the "Valley of Flowers National Park," which was just discussed. We need a singular determiner that points back to this subject directly and naturally. "This" serves this purpose effectively, indicating the specific area that has just been mentioned as the focus.

Therefore, "This" is the most appropriate word to fill in blank No. 1.

The completed sentence fragment would read: "This richly diverse area is also home to rare and endangered animals..."

Revision Table: Blank 1 Options

Additional Information: Demonstrative Determiners

The words "this," "that," "these," and "those" are often called demonstrative determiners (or demonstrative adjectives) when they are used before a noun to point out which specific person or thing is being referred to. They must agree in number with the noun they modify.

• This: Used with singular nouns near the speaker or recently mentioned. Example: This book is interesting.
• That: Used with singular nouns further away from the speaker or previously mentioned in contrast to something else. Example: That car looks fast.
• These: Used with plural nouns near the speaker or recently mentioned. Example: These books are mine.
• Those: Used with plural nouns further away from the speaker or previously mentioned in contrast to something else. Example: Those cars are expensive.

In the context of the passage, "richly diverse area" is singular, requiring a singular demonstrative. "This" is the most natural choice to refer to the area that is the immediate subject of the discussion.