In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank. The expansive (1) __________stretched as far as the eye could see, its vastness seeming endless. Majestic mountains towered in the distance, their peaks (2)__________ by a thin layer of snow. A gentle breeze whispered through the (3)__________ trees, rustling their vibrant leaves. The air (4)_______ the sweet fragrance of the flowers, filling the surroundings with a delightful aroma. As the sun began to set, the sky transformed into a radiant canvas, painted with (5)______ of orange, pink, and gold.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 3.
lustrous
Understanding Context Clues in Passage Completion
The question asks us to select the most appropriate word to fill the third blank in the given passage. To do this effectively, we need to read the sentence containing the blank and consider the surrounding words and the overall tone of the passage.
The passage describes a beautiful, expansive natural scene with mountains, trees, and flowers. The tone is positive and descriptive of natural beauty.
The sentence with the third blank is: "A gentle breeze whispered through the (3)__________ trees, rustling their vibrant leaves."
We are looking for a word to describe the trees or their leaves in a way that fits with "gentle breeze," "rustling," and especially "vibrant leaves." Vibrant means full of energy, bright, and lively. So, the trees or their leaves are healthy and lively.
Analyzing Options for Blank 3
Let's examine the given options for blank 3:
- shrivelled
- withered
- shrinking
- lustrous
Now, let's consider what each word means and how it fits the context:
- shrivelled: This means wrinkled and contracted, typically due to loss of moisture. This word describes something that is drying up or dying.
- withered: This means dry and decayed; faded or wilted. This also describes something that is dying, unhealthy, or losing its vitality.
- shrinking: This means becoming smaller in size. While things can shrink, this word doesn't typically describe the state of healthy trees being rustled by a breeze.
- lustrous: This means having a soft sheen or glow; glossy. This word describes something that is radiant, healthy, and reflects light.
Evaluating Options Based on Context
The sentence states the trees have "vibrant leaves." This suggests the leaves are healthy, lively, and possibly bright in colour. Let's see which option aligns with "vibrant leaves":
- "Shrivelled trees" or "trees with shrivelled leaves" would not have "vibrant leaves."
- "Withered trees" or "trees with withered leaves" would definitely not have "vibrant leaves."
- "Shrinking trees" doesn't fit the description of a breeze rustling "vibrant leaves." Shrinking refers to size change, not the appearance or health of the leaves.
- "Lustrous trees" or "trees with lustrous leaves" implies the leaves have a healthy glow or sheen, which is consistent with them being "vibrant." Healthy, well-hydrated leaves often have a shiny or lustrous appearance.
Conclusion: Selecting the Most Appropriate Word
Based on the analysis, "lustrous" is the only word among the options that fits the description of trees with "vibrant leaves." The gentle breeze rustles the healthy, glowing, vibrant leaves of the lustrous trees.
Therefore, the most appropriate option to fill blank no. 3 is "lustrous".
| Option | Meaning | Fits Context ("vibrant leaves")? | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|
| shrivelled | Wrinkled, dried up | No | Contradicts "vibrant leaves" |
| withered | Dry, decayed, wilted | No | Contradicts "vibrant leaves" |
| shrinking | Becoming smaller | No | Doesn't describe leaf appearance/health; doesn't fit "rustling" action |
| lustrous | Soft sheen, glossy | Yes | Consistent with healthy, "vibrant leaves" |
Revision Table: Key Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning | Context Example |
|---|---|---|
| Expansive | Covering a wide area; vast | The expansive desert stretched before them. |
| Majestic | Having or exhibiting majesty; grand, impressive | Majestic mountains rose in the distance. |
| Lustrous | Having a soft sheen or glow; glossy | Her hair had a beautiful, lustrous shine. |
| Vibrant | Full of energy and enthusiasm; bright and striking (of colour) | The garden was full of vibrant flowers. |
| Fragrance | A pleasant or sweet smell | The fragrance of roses filled the air. |
| Radiant | Shining brightly; giving off light | The sunset created a radiant sky. |
Additional Information: Using Context Clues
When you encounter a blank in a passage, context clues are your best friends. These are hints found in the words, phrases, and sentences around the blank that help you figure out the meaning or the type of word needed.
Types of context clues include:
- Definition/Explanation Clues: The word's meaning is directly stated or explained nearby. (Not the case here).
- Synonym Clues: Another word with a similar meaning is used in the sentence or surrounding sentences. ("Vibrant" acts as a synonym clue for "lustrous" here, implying health and liveliness).
- Antonym Clues: A word with the opposite meaning is used, often with words like "but," "however," or "unlike." (Words like "shrivelled" and "withered" are antonyms to the implied state of the trees).
- Example Clues: Examples are given that illustrate the meaning of the word. (Not directly used here, but the action of "rustling" by a "gentle breeze" combined with "vibrant leaves" creates an image consistent with "lustrous").
- Inference/General Sense Clues: You have to use the overall meaning of the passage or sentence to figure out the word. This was the primary method used in this question, combining the overall positive tone with the specific description of "vibrant leaves."
By paying close attention to these clues, you can often determine the most appropriate word even if you don't know the definition of every option immediately.
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)?
