Understanding Relative Pronouns in Passage Completion

This question asks us to select the most appropriate word to fill blank number 3 in the given passage. The passage discusses the traditional practice of eating off banana leaves and mentions the properties of the banana plant.

The sentence containing blank 3 is: "The Vedas refer to (2) ______ sacred properties of the banana plant, (3) ______ uniquely bears fruit without pollination, the fruits containing no (4) ______ ."

We need to choose the correct relative pronoun or adverb to connect the clause "uniquely bears fruit without pollination" to the noun it describes, which is "the banana plant".

Analyzing the Options for Blank 3

Let's look at the provided options:

• where
• which
• whom
• who

We need to consider how each option functions in a sentence and what kind of noun it typically refers to.

Here's a breakdown:

• Where: This is a relative adverb used to refer to a place. For example, "This is the house where I grew up."
• Which: This is a relative pronoun used to refer to things, animals, or to introduce non-restrictive clauses that add extra information about a noun. For example, "The car, which was red, was parked outside."
• Whom: This is a relative pronoun used to refer to people, specifically when they are the object of the verb or a preposition in the relative clause. For example, "The person whom I met yesterday was kind."
• Who: This is a relative pronoun used to refer to people, typically when they are the subject of the verb in the relative clause. For example, "The student who solved the problem got a prize."

Selecting the Best Fit for Blank 3

The clause "uniquely bears fruit without pollination" is describing "the banana plant". The banana plant is a thing, not a place or a person.

• "where" is incorrect because "the banana plant" is not a place.
• "whom" is incorrect because "the banana plant" is not a person.
• "who" is incorrect because "the banana plant" is not a person.
• "which" is appropriate because it is used for things (like "the banana plant") and introduces a descriptive clause about it. The clause "which uniquely bears fruit without pollination" adds extra, non-essential information about the banana plant.

Therefore, the most appropriate word to fill blank 3 is "which". The sentence then reads: "The Vedas refer to (2) ______ sacred properties of the banana plant, which uniquely bears fruit without pollination, the fruits containing no (4) ______ ."

The relative pronoun 'which' correctly links the descriptive clause to the noun 'banana plant'.

Revision Table: Relative Pronouns and Adverbs

Additional Information on Relative Clauses

Relative clauses are clauses that modify a noun or pronoun. They begin with a relative pronoun (like who, whom, which, that) or a relative adverb (like where, when, why).

There are two main types:

• Restrictive clauses: These are essential to the meaning of the sentence because they identify the noun being talked about. They are not set off by commas. Example: "The student that sits in the front is good at math." (We need the clause to know which student).
• Non-restrictive clauses: These add extra information about a noun that is already clearly identified. They are set off by commas. Example: "My brother, who lives in London, is a doctor." (We already know who "My brother" is; the clause just gives more info). The clause in blank 3 is likely non-restrictive, adding extra information about the banana plant's unique property. 'Which' is typically used for non-restrictive clauses referring to things.