In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank. In the village of Wall, men wore brown and grey, and even the reddest neckerchief worn by the ruddiest of farmers was soon (1) ________ by the sun and the rain makes a more (2) _______ colour. Due to this, it would (3) _________ easily. While clothes do not make the man and fine feathers do not make (4) ______. However, Thorn was not the same man that he had been. There was a swagger (5)________ his steps.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 5.
in
Understanding the Cloze Test Passage
This question asks us to complete a passage by filling in blank spaces with the most appropriate words from the given options. This type of question tests our vocabulary and understanding of context and common English phrases.
Let's focus specifically on blank number 5 in the passage:
"However, Thorn was not the same man that he had been. There was a swagger (5)________ his steps."
We need to choose the best word to fit in blank number 5 from the options provided: 'in', 'of', 'to', 'into'.
Analyzing Options for Blank 5
The sentence describes a change in Thorn's demeanor, specifically how he walked or moved, indicated by the word "swagger". "Swagger" means to walk or behave in a very confident or arrogant way.
We need a preposition to connect "swagger" to "his steps". Let's examine each option:
- Option 1: in - The phrase "swagger in his steps" is a common and idiomatic way to describe someone walking with a confident, perhaps slightly exaggerated, gait. The swagger is evident *in* the way he takes his steps.
- Option 2: of - "Swagger of his steps" doesn't form a standard or meaningful phrase in English. "Of" is usually used to indicate possession or relationship, which doesn't fit here.
- Option 3: to - "Swagger to his steps" implies direction or purpose related to the steps, which isn't the intended meaning. A swagger is *part* of the steps, not something directed towards them.
- Option 4: into - "Swagger into his steps" doesn't make grammatical or contextual sense. "Into" implies movement towards the inside of something, which doesn't apply to the manner of walking.
Selecting the Most Appropriate Word
Based on the analysis, the phrase "swagger in his steps" is the only option that forms a grammatically correct and meaningful expression in this context. It perfectly conveys that his confident bearing was visible in the way he walked.
Therefore, the most appropriate word to fill blank number 5 is "in".
The completed sentence would be:
"There was a swagger in his steps."
Revision Table: Options for Blank 5
| Option | Word | Fit in Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | in | Fits perfectly, forms idiomatic phrase "swagger in his steps". |
| 2 | of | Does not form a standard or meaningful phrase. |
| 3 | to | Does not fit the meaning; implies direction, not manner. |
| 4 | into | Grammatically incorrect and illogical in this context. |
Conclusion
The word "in" is the most suitable choice for blank number 5, creating the phrase "swagger in his steps" which clearly describes Thorn's new confident way of walking.
Additional Information: Understanding Prepositions with "Swagger"
The word "swagger" as a noun (meaning a confident way of walking) is often followed by prepositions that indicate where this confidence is displayed. "In" is commonly used with body parts or actions where the swagger is evident, such as:
- Swagger in his walk
- Swagger in his gait
- Swagger in his steps
Other prepositions might be used with "swagger" depending on the sentence structure or whether "swagger" is used as a verb, but "in" is standard when referring to the physical manifestation of swagger in someone's movement.
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)?
