Passage Blank 1: Filling the Gap

This question requires us to understand common English idioms to correctly fill in a missing word in the provided passage.

The specific sentence is: "People (2) ________ none of these things (3) ________ Johann Gutenberg of Strasbourg invented the printing press." The blank we need to fill is the first one in the phrase "we take (1) ________ granted today."

Understanding the Idiom 'Take Granted'

The phrase in question relates to how we perceive things in the present. Let's look at the options for blank (1):

• Option 1: as - "Take as granted" is not a standard English idiom. While 'as' can be used in comparisons, it doesn't fit the meaning of assuming something is readily available or will happen without question.
• Option 2: for - The common and universally accepted idiom is "to take something for granted". This means to appreciate something only after it is gone, or to not realize its value because it is so common. This fits the context perfectly, contrasting the modern availability of printed materials with a hypothetical world without them.
• Option 3: so - "Take so granted" doesn't form a standard phrase or idiom. 'So' usually indicates degree or result, which doesn't apply here.
• Option 4: to - "Take to granted" is grammatically incorrect and not an established idiom in English.

Conclusion for Blank 1

Based on the analysis of standard English idioms, the correct word to complete the phrase "take (1) ________ granted" is 'for'. The sentence means that we often don't appreciate printed materials like books and newspapers until we imagine a world where they don't exist.

Passage Context

The passage discusses the invention of the printing press by Johann Gutenberg and its impact. Understanding the idiom 'take for granted' helps emphasize the significance of this invention in making printed materials widely available.