In the following passage some of the words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives. These people remind me of a harmony that exists with the natural world, They know their environment in a (1) _______ that can only be acquired (2) ________ living on equal footing with the natural world, not in (3) _______ through a recognition that humans are dependent (4) _______ our surroundings, something those of us who live in towns and cities too (5) _______ forget.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 2.
through
Filling Blank 2 in the Passage
The question asks us to select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 2 in the provided passage. Let's look at the sentence containing blank 2:
"They know their environment in a (1) _______ that can only be acquired (2) ________ living on equal footing with the natural world..."
We need to choose a word for blank (2) that shows how the knowledge is acquired. The action that leads to acquiring this knowledge is "living on equal footing with the natural world."
Analyzing the Options for Blank 2
Let's examine each option provided for blank 2:
- Option 1: for
If we use "for", the phrase becomes "acquired for living". This suggests the knowledge is acquired *for the purpose of* living, which doesn't fit the context of how the knowledge is gained. - Option 2: through
If we use "through", the phrase becomes "acquired through living". This means the knowledge is acquired *by means of* or *as a result of* living on equal footing with the natural world. This fits the context perfectly, as the act of living in this way is the method or means of gaining the knowledge. - Option 3: to
If we use "to", the phrase becomes "acquired to living". This is not grammatically correct in this context. "Acquired to" might be used in other structures (e.g., "acquired an aversion to something"), but not here to indicate the means of acquisition. - Option 4: with
If we use "with", the phrase becomes "acquired with living". This could imply the knowledge comes alongside living, but "through living" is a more precise way to express that the living itself is the process by which the knowledge is gained. "Through" better indicates the direct means.
Selecting the Correct Word for Blank 2
Based on the analysis, the word "through" is the most appropriate option to indicate that the knowledge is gained by the means of living on equal footing with the natural world. The phrase "acquired through living" clearly explains the method of acquisition described in the passage.
The completed part of the sentence would read: "...that can only be acquired through living on equal footing with the natural world..."
Therefore, the correct option for blank number 2 is "through".
| Option | Word | Fit in Context | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | for | No | Implies purpose, not the method of acquiring knowledge. |
| 2 | through | Yes | Implies the means or method by which knowledge is acquired. |
| 3 | to | No | Grammatically incorrect usage in this context. |
| 4 | with | Less Accurate | While possible, "through" is a better fit for indicating the method of acquisition. |
Revision Table: Prepositions of Means/Method
| Preposition | Common Usage for Means/Method | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Through | Indicating the means or process by which something happens or is achieved. | He learned English through watching movies. |
| By | Indicating the agent or method used. | She solved the problem by using a different approach. |
| With | Indicating the instrument used or sometimes accompanying circumstance. Less common for abstract means like "living". | He cut the rope with a knife. |
Additional Information on Prepositions
Prepositions are words that link a noun, pronoun, or phrase to other words in a sentence. They typically indicate relationships such as location, direction, time, or means. In this question, we are dealing with prepositions that can indicate the means or method by which an action is performed or something is achieved.
- The preposition 'through' is frequently used to show how something is achieved or happens. It highlights the process or method involved.
- For example, if you gain experience by doing a job, you gain experience 'through' doing the job. If you understand a topic by reading a book, you understand it 'through' reading the book.
- In the passage, the knowledge is acquired by the act of living on equal footing, making 'through' the most suitable choice to express this relationship of means.
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)?
