In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank. Courtesy, etiquette and demeanour are words which were of (1)____ importance till a few years ago. Formal behaviour has always been an important part of not (2)____ workplaces, but also at schools and government organisations. However, of late, informality is being considered cool by many from this generation. This, however, leads to situations where the language and mannerism (3)____ could be considered rude. Although language has transformed over time, there is no (4)____ for lack of etiquette. There are definitely times and places where not displaying politeness and manners could lead to (5)______ consequences.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 1.
paramount
The sentence: 'Courtesy, etiquette and demeanour are words which were of (1)____ importance till a few years ago.'
Read the passage's direction first. It goes on to regret that informality is now thought 'cool' and that manners are being lost. A writer who laments the decline of these qualities must be saying they once mattered a great deal.
Paramount means supreme or of the highest importance, and 'of paramount importance' is a standard collocation.
Why the others fail:
Small is grammatically possible but reverses the argument. If courtesy had been of small importance, the rest of the passage would make no sense.
Mount is a verb meaning to climb, and triumph is a noun meaning victory. Neither can modify the noun importance, so both fail on grammar before meaning is considered.
The answer is paramount.
Similar Questions
- Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 9
Which of these should be filled at blank (10) as per the context of the passage?
Which of these should be filled at blank (9) as per the context of the passage?
Which of these should be filled at blank (8) as per the context of the passage?
Which of these should be filled at blank (7) as per the context of the passage?
Which of these should be filled at blank (6) as per the context of the passage?
Which of these should be filled at blank (5) as per the context of the passage?
Which of these should be filled at blank (4) as per the context of the passage?
Which of these should be filled at blank (3) as per the context of the passage?
Which of these should be filled at blank (2) as per the context of the passage?
Important Questions from Cloze Test
What would come in place of 1
What would come in place of 2
What would come in place of 3
What would come in place of 4
What would come in place of 5
