In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank. Can we see (1)_______ the earth is a globe? Yes, we can, when we watch a ship that sails out to sea, if we watch closely, we see that the ship begins to (2)_______. The bottom of the ship disappears first, and then the ship seems to sink lower and lower, (3)_______ we can only see the top of the ship, and then we see nothing at all. What is hiding the ship from us? It is the earth. Stick a pin most of the way into an orange, and (4)____ turn the orange away from you. You will see the pin disappear, (5)_____ a ship does on the earth.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 3.
until
Analyzing the Ship Sailing Passage for Word Choice
The question asks us to select the most appropriate word to fill in blank number 3 in the provided passage. Let's look at the relevant sentence:
"The bottom of the ship disappears first, and then the ship seems to sink lower and lower, (3)_______ we can only see the top of the ship, and then we see nothing at all."
This sentence describes the sequence of events as a ship sails away from an observer over the curved surface of the Earth. First, the bottom disappears, then the ship appears to sink gradually, and this sinking continues until a specific point is reached: when only the top of the ship is visible. The blank needs a word that signifies the point in time or the condition that marks the end of the "sinking lower and lower" phase and transitions to the "only see the top" phase.
Evaluating the Options for Blank 3
Let's examine each of the given options to determine which one fits the context and grammatical structure of the sentence:
| Option | Word | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | after | If we use "after", the sentence would be: "...sinks lower and lower, after we can only see the top of the ship...". This implies the sinking happens *after* we can only see the top, which is chronologically incorrect based on the description of the ship disappearing. |
| 2 | up to | If we use "up to", the sentence would be: "...sinks lower and lower, up to we can only see the top of the ship...". "Up to" is typically used for limits in quantity, location, or status, not generally as a conjunction introducing a temporal or conditional endpoint like this. It doesn't fit naturally here. |
| 3 | until | If we use "until", the sentence would be: "...sinks lower and lower, until we can only see the top of the ship...". "Until" means 'up to the time that' or 'up to the point that'. This fits perfectly, as it describes the process of sinking continuing up to the point in time when only the top becomes visible. |
| 4 | since | If we use "since", the sentence would be: "...sinks lower and lower, since we can only see the top of the ship...". "Since" is used to indicate a reason ('because') or a point in time from which something started. Neither meaning fits the context of describing the endpoint of the sinking process. |
Selecting the Correct Word
Based on the analysis, the word "until" is the most appropriate choice. It correctly connects the continuous action of the ship sinking lower and lower with the specific state or point in time when only the top part of the ship remains visible to the observer. This sequence of disappearance (bottom first, then lower and lower, until only the top, then nothing) is a classic example used to demonstrate the curvature of the Earth, supporting the idea that the earth is a globe.
Let's reread the sentence with "until" in place:
"The bottom of the ship disappears first, and then the ship seems to sink lower and lower, until we can only see the top of the ship, and then we see nothing at all."
This sentence flows logically and accurately describes the visual phenomenon.
Conclusion on Blank 3
The word that best completes blank 3 is "until". It functions as a conjunction here, indicating the point in time or condition that marks the end of the preceding action.
Revision Table: Filling Blanks in a Passage
| Concept | Description | Relevance to Question |
|---|---|---|
| Context Clues | Hints within a passage that help determine the meaning of unfamiliar words or the correct word to fill a blank. | Analyzing the surrounding sentences about the ship's disappearance provides clues that blank 3 needs a word indicating a point in time or condition. |
| Conjunctions | Words used to connect clauses or sentences (e.g., and, but, until, since, after). | Blank 3 requires a conjunction that logically connects the action ("sinks lower and lower") to the subsequent state ("we can only see the top"). |
| Temporal Conjunctions | Conjunctions related to time (e.g., when, while, before, after, until, since). | "Until" is a temporal conjunction indicating the endpoint of an action, which is exactly what is needed in this sentence. |
Additional Information: Demonstrating Earth is a Globe
The passage uses the visual observation of a ship sailing away as evidence that the earth is a globe. Here's why this works:
- If the Earth were flat, a ship sailing away would simply become smaller and smaller until it was too far away to see. All parts of the ship would remain visible until it disappeared due to distance and limitations of eyesight.
- However, because the Earth is curved, the ship goes over the curve. The lowest parts of the ship (the hull) disappear first, hidden by the curve of the Earth. As the ship moves further away, more and more of the ship is hidden, until only the tallest parts (like the mast or funnel) are visible. Eventually, these disappear too.
- The experiment with sticking a pin in an orange and turning it away mimics this phenomenon on a smaller, tangible scale, illustrating how curvature hides objects from view.
This observation provides simple, observable evidence supporting the understanding that the earth is a globe.
Similar Questions
Directions: Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
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Important Questions from Fill in the Blanks
Directions: Fill in the blanks with the word that best completes the sentence.
At times he gets very angry, and then no one can_______ him.
Each of the following sentences has a blank space and four words are given below it. Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response accordingly.
Many people today have fallen into utter confusion of values with the result that they cannot______ the good from the bad.
Each of the following sentences has a blank space and four words are given below it. Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response accordingly
If Mohan________ at 5 a.m., he would not have missed the train.
Each of the following sentences has a blank space and four words are given below it. Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response accordingly.
His property was divided ______ his daughters and sons.
Each of the following sentences has a blank space and four words are given below it. Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response accordingly
His persistence in his misdemeanours has lowered him in the________ of everyone who knows him.
