Analyzing Blank No. 2 in the Passage

The question asks us to fill in blank No. 2 in the sentence: "More than 134,000 people were _____ (2) to safe areas in advance." This sentence describes what happened to the population near Mount Agung volcano before its activity.

Let's look at the options provided for blank No. 2:

• exited
• left
• abandoned
• evacuated

We need to choose the word that best fits the context of moving people away from a dangerous area, such as a volcano erupting, to a safe location.

Evaluating the Options for Blank No. 2

Let's consider each option:

• Exited: The verb 'exit' usually means to leave a place. The passive form 'were exited' is not standard English grammar in this context. You might say "people exited the area," but not "people were exited to safe areas."
• Left: The verb 'leave' means to go away from a place. While 'were left' is grammatically possible, it often implies being abandoned or remaining behind ("The survivors were left on the island"). The phrase "were left to safe areas" doesn't make sense grammatically or contextually; people are usually taken or moved to safe areas, not 'left' to them in this way.
• Abandoned: The verb 'abandon' means to leave something or someone behind, often permanently, without intending to return, and sometimes implies neglect. If people were 'abandoned', it would mean they were left behind in the dangerous area, which contradicts the phrase "to safe areas in advance."
• Evacuated: The verb 'evacuate' means to remove people from a place of danger to a safer place. This precisely matches the context of moving people away from a volcano eruption threat "to safe areas in advance." The passive form 'were evacuated' is also grammatically correct and commonly used in this situation.

Conclusion for Blank No. 2

Based on the meanings of the words and the context of the sentence describing people being moved away from a volcano to safety, the word evacuated is the most appropriate choice for blank No. 2.

The completed sentence fragment is: "More than 134,000 people were evacuated to safe areas in advance."

Revision Table: Vocabulary for Disasters

Additional Information: Volcano Evacuations

Volcano evacuations are planned responses to potential volcanic eruptions. They involve moving people from areas at high risk to designated safe zones.

• Authorities monitor volcano activity closely using instruments like seismographs, gas sensors, and satellite imagery.
• Based on the level of threat, authorities issue warnings or mandatory evacuation orders for specific zones around the volcano.
• Evacuation routes and shelters are typically planned in advance.
• The decision to evacuate can be complex, balancing the risk of eruption against the disruption and cost of moving large populations.
• Not everyone complies with evacuation orders, sometimes due to concern for property, livestock, or a belief the danger is low.