In the following passage some words have been deleted. Fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given. Select the most appropriate option for each blank. On Hauz Khas Road, at the entrance to the pedestrianised Hauz Khas Village, the guard (1)_______ the barrier asks you to halt and directs (2)________ to the parking lot. It's 5 p.m. and the parking lot is nearly empty as shops are closed and there are (3)________ any shoppers. There aren't many people on the lane leading to the (4)_______ area either. This is unusual for HKV (as it is popularly known) (5)_________ it is one of Delhi's popular shopping areas. Initially a hub for designer (6)_______, the HKV experience (7)_______ a throbbing mix of cafes, art galleries, curio shops, gyms and, of course, fashion boutiques. The quirky neighbourhood was a hit (8)________ with youngsters and tourists for its happening nightlife. These days however, night comes hours (9)_______ dusk at HKV as you can only see street dogs, security guards, a few takeaway joint managers and bored attendants (10)________ to reach home early.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank 1.
at
Understanding the Passage and Blank (1)
The passage describes a scene at the entrance to Hauz Khas Village (HKV), focusing on the reduced activity there compared to its usual busy nature. We are asked to fill in ten blanks using the most appropriate options provided for each. This part focuses on filling in blank number (1).
The sentence containing blank (1) is: "On Hauz Khas Road, at the entrance to the pedestrianised Hauz Khas Village, the guard (1)_______ the barrier asks you to halt and directs (2)________ to the parking lot."
We need to choose the most suitable preposition to describe the guard's position relative to "the barrier". Let's examine the options for blank (1):
- at
- of
- with
- for
Analyzing Options for Blank (1)
Let's look at how each option fits grammatically and contextually in the sentence "the guard _______ the barrier".
Option 1: at
- Using "at" would give "the guard at the barrier".
- The preposition "at" is commonly used to indicate a specific point or location. A guard is typically positioned at a specific point, like a barrier or a gate, to control access. This phrase is grammatically correct and makes perfect sense in this context.
Option 2: of
- Using "of" would give "the guard of the barrier".
- The preposition "of" usually indicates possession or belonging. While a guard might be *of* an organization or institution, they are not typically *of* an inanimate object like a barrier itself. This doesn't fit the context of the guard's position.
Option 3: with
- Using "with" would give "the guard with the barrier".
- The preposition "with" usually indicates accompaniment or having something. Saying "the guard with the barrier" sounds like the guard possesses or is carrying the barrier, which is not the intended meaning. It could potentially mean the guard is accompanied by the barrier, but this is an unusual and awkward phrasing for describing location.
Option 4: for
- Using "for" would give "the guard for the barrier".
- The preposition "for" can indicate purpose or duration. "A guard for the barrier" might imply the guard's duty is related to the barrier, which is true, but it doesn't describe their immediate location *at* that moment in the most direct way. While understandable, "at" is a more precise preposition for indicating the guard's position right beside or at the barrier.
Determining the Most Appropriate Option
Comparing the options, "at" is the most standard and appropriate preposition to describe someone positioned at a specific point like a barrier or entrance for the purpose of controlling access. The phrase "guard at the barrier" is a natural and common construction in English to describe this scenario.
Therefore, the most appropriate option to fill in blank (1) is "at". The sentence becomes: "...the guard at the barrier asks you to halt..."
Revision Table: Prepositions of Place
| Preposition | Common Use for Place | Example | Fit for "guard ___ the barrier"? |
|---|---|---|---|
| at | Specific point, location, or small area | at the door, at the corner, at the barrier | Yes, fits well for a specific point like a barrier. |
| in | Enclosed space, larger area, city, country | in the room, in London, in the park | No, barrier is a point, not an enclosed space. |
| on | Surface, line, street, floor level | on the table, on Oxford Street, on the third floor | No, typically not used for being 'at' a structure like a barrier in this way. |
| of | Possession, belonging, relationship | the key of the door, guard of the company | No, doesn't indicate physical location relative to the barrier itself. |
| with | Accompaniment, having something | walking with a friend, the dog with a bone | No, implies accompaniment, not location at the barrier. |
| for | Purpose, duration, recipient | waiting for the bus, a gift for you | Less direct for location; indicates purpose related to the barrier rather than position at it. |
Additional Information: Prepositions in English Grammar
Prepositions are crucial elements in English grammar that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. They often indicate location, direction, time, or manner.
Common Types of Prepositions:
- Prepositions of Place: Indicate where something is located (e.g., at, in, on, beside, under, between).
- Prepositions of Time: Indicate when something happens (e.g., at, in, on, before, after, during).
- Prepositions of Direction: Indicate the direction of movement (e.g., to, into, onto, towards, through).
Choosing the correct preposition is essential for clear and accurate communication. Often, the choice depends on the specific context and common English usage. In this passage, understanding the use of prepositions of place like "at" is key to filling the blanks correctly.
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)?
