In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank. A great fire (1) ________ in London in 1666 which (2) ________ the city and made around 1,00,000 people homeless. This fire is said to have begun in a pudding lane. It (3) ________ through the crowded streets and wooden houses. However, after the fire, London was (4) ________ with wider streets and improved water supplies. New buildings were (5) ________ using bricks instead of wood.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 1.
broke out
Understanding the Passage and Blank 1
The passage describes the Great Fire of London in 1666 and its impact. We need to choose the most appropriate word or phrase to fill in blank number 1, which completes the sentence: "A great fire (1) ________ in London in 1666". This sentence tells us about how the fire started or began.
Analyzing the Options for Blank 1
Let's look at the options provided and consider their meanings:
- broke for: This phrase doesn't form a standard phrasal verb that fits the context of a fire starting.
- broke in: The phrasal verb 'broke in' typically means to enter a building illegally, usually by force. It can also mean to interrupt a conversation or activity. Neither meaning applies to how a fire begins.
- broke out: The phrasal verb 'broke out' is commonly used to describe something negative, like a fire, war, or disease, starting suddenly. This meaning fits perfectly with how a fire starts.
- broke at: This phrase is not a standard phrasal verb used to describe a fire starting. 'Broke at' might be used in contexts like 'the wave broke at the shore' or 'the rope broke at the knot', but not for a fire originating.
Selecting the Correct Phrasal Verb
Based on the analysis, the phrasal verb that correctly describes a fire starting suddenly is 'broke out'. Therefore, the sentence should read: "A great fire broke out in London in 1666".
Why 'Broke Out' is the Best Fit
The context requires a phrase that signifies the beginning of the fire. 'Broke out' is the standard idiom used in English for events like fires, wars, or epidemics that start suddenly and often unexpectedly. The other options do not convey this meaning appropriately in this context.
| Option | Common Meaning(s) | Fits the Context of a Fire Starting? |
|---|---|---|
| broke for | Not a standard phrasal verb in this context. | No |
| broke in | Enter illegally; interrupt. | No |
| broke out | Start suddenly (used for fires, wars, diseases, etc.). | Yes |
| broke at | Not a standard phrasal verb in this context. | No |
Revision Table: Key Phrasal Verbs with 'Break'
Here are some common phrasal verbs using 'break' and their meanings:
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Break down | Stop functioning (machinery); become emotionally distressed; analyze something into parts. | My car broke down on the way. |
| Break in | Enter illegally; interrupt; train a new horse/person/equipment. | Someone broke in last night. |
| Break out | Start suddenly (fire, war, disease); escape from confinement. | A fire broke out in the building. |
| Break up | End a relationship; divide into smaller parts; laugh uncontrollably. | They decided to break up. |
| Break with | End a connection; abandon a tradition. | She decided to break with tradition. |
Additional Information: The Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was a major fire that swept through the central parts of London from Sunday, 2 September to Thursday, 6 September 1666. It destroyed vast areas of the city, including many homes, businesses, and historical buildings like St. Paul's Cathedral. The fire started in a bakery on Pudding Lane. One significant consequence was the subsequent rebuilding of London with wider streets and buildings made of brick or stone, aimed at preventing such a disaster from happening again.
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)?
