Understanding the G20 Passage and Blank 1

The passage describes the G20, an international forum. The first blank asks for a verb that connects "The G20" to its members, "19 countries and the European Union (EU)". We need a word that means the G20 is made up of these members.

Analyzing Option Choices for Blank 1

Let's look at the given options and see which one best fits the context of describing the composition of the G20:

• accounts for: This phrase usually means to explain something or to be the reason for something. For example, "High demand accounts for the price increase." It doesn't fit here because the G20 is not explaining or causing the existence of its members.
• covers: This word can mean to include or deal with a range of topics or areas. While the G20 covers global economic challenges, the sentence is describing its membership, not its scope of work. "The G20 covers 19 countries" is grammatically possible but less precise than describing what it consists of in this context.
• adds: This means to join something new to something existing. The G20 is not adding the countries and the EU; the G20 *is* the collective group of these members.
• comprises: This verb means 'consists of' or 'is made up of'. It directly describes the components or members that form the whole entity. The structure "X comprises Y" means X is formed by Y. This perfectly fits the context: The G20 is formed by or consists of 19 countries and the EU.

Selecting the Most Appropriate Word

Based on the analysis, the word that accurately describes the G20 being made up of 19 countries and the EU is 'comprises'.

The sentence becomes: "The G20, or Group of Twenty, is an international forum which comprises 19 countries and the European Union (EU)."

Why 'Comprises' is the Correct Answer

The verb 'comprises' is the standard and correct way to express that a whole consists of specific parts. It is a formal word often used in descriptions of organizations, groups, or systems and their components. The structure "A comprises B and C" means A is made up of B and C.

Therefore, 'comprises' is the most appropriate option to fill blank number 1.

Revision Table: Key Vocabulary for Organizations

Additional Information: The G20 Forum

The G20 is a crucial forum for international cooperation on financial and economic matters. Its formation in 1999 was a response to the financial crises of the late 1990s. It elevated its status in 2009, becoming the primary platform for international economic and financial cooperation among its member countries. The forum discusses global economic challenges, including steps towards sustainable development and addressing climate change.