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 silk routes are a good example of vibrant pre-modern trade and cultural links between ________1________ parts of the world. The name 'silk routes' points to the ________2________ of West-bound Chinese silk cargoes along this route. Historians have identified several silk routes, over land and by sea, knitting together vast regions of Asia, and ________3________ Asia with Europe and northern Africa. They are known to have existed since before the Christian Era and ________4________ almost till the fifteenth century. But Chinese pottery also ________5________the same route, as did textiles and spices from India and Southeast Asia.
Understanding Silk Routes Duration: Filling Blank 4
The question asks us to find the most suitable word to fill in blank number 4 in the passage about the Silk Routes. The sentence in context is: "They are known to have existed since before the Christian Era and ________4________ almost till the fifteenth century." This sentence describes the time period during which the Silk Routes were active.
Analyzing Blank 4 Context
The blank needs a verb that indicates the state or activity level of the Silk Routes during their existence, spanning from before the Christian Era until the fifteenth century. We need a word that signifies continuity and activity over this long historical period.
Evaluating Option Choices for Blank 4
Let's examine the provided options:
- 1. languished: This word means to become weak or feeble. If the Silk Routes had languished, it would imply they were declining or losing importance, which doesn't fit the idea of them existing 'almost till the fifteenth century' as active routes.
- 2. thrived: This word means to prosper, grow vigorously, or flourish. This fits the context perfectly, suggesting that the Silk Routes were active, successful, and bustling with trade and cultural exchange throughout the period mentioned. The passage already mentions "vibrant pre-modern trade", supporting this idea.
- 3. retreated: This word means to move back or withdraw. Trade routes don't typically 'retreat'; they become disused or shift location. This word does not fit the context of the routes' duration.
- 4. radiated: This word means to spread outwards from a central point. While routes spread out geographically, 'radiated' does not describe the continuity or success of the routes over time as effectively as 'thrived'.
Conclusion for Blank 4
Based on the analysis, the word thrived best describes the state of the Silk Routes during their long period of existence, from before the Christian Era until the fifteenth century. It indicates that these routes were flourishing and actively facilitating trade and cultural exchange.
Similar Questions
- Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3.
- Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 2.
- Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 1.
- Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 4.
- Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 5.
Important Questions from Cloze Test
- Directions: Select the most appropriate option that will fill in the blank number 1.
- Directions: Select the most appropriate option that will fill in the blank number 2.
- Directions: Select the most appropriate option that will fill in the blank number 3.
- Directions: Select the most appropriate option that will fill in the blank number 4.
- Directions: Select the most appropriate option that will fill in the blank number 5.
