In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given. Select the most appropriate option for each number. Temptations of one kind or another lure everyone. The important thing is (1)______ them from gaining a foothold in our (2)______. As soon as we detect the first (3)______ of temptation, we should become watchful and (4)______ our attention to good or noble thoughts. (5)______ we wait till the temptation becomes too (6)______, we are likely to fall. Playing with the temptation (7)______ to welcoming it. In fact, the safest (8)______ is to avoid situations in which we may be tempted. If, (9)______ all our care, a temptation becomes severe, we (10)______ not get upset or disappointed, but turn to a good friend for advice and help.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank No. 1.
to prevent
Solving the Fill in the Blank Passage Question
This question asks us to complete a passage by selecting the most appropriate word for each blank from the given alternatives. We need to focus on Blank No. 1 in this particular question.
Analyzing Blank No. 1 in the Temptation Passage
Let's look at the sentence containing Blank No. 1:
"The important thing is (1)______ them from gaining a foothold in our ______."
The phrase "The important thing is..." is followed by a clause that describes what the important thing is. This clause typically starts with an infinitive phrase (to + verb) or a gerund phrase (verb-ing) functioning as a noun or complement.
Evaluating the Options for Blank No. 1
The options provided for Blank No. 1 are:
- to preventing
- prevented
- prevent
- to prevent
Let's examine each option in the context of the sentence structure:
- to preventing: The construction "to + verb-ing" (infinitive followed by a gerund) is generally not grammatically correct in standard English. An infinitive is "to + base form of the verb".
- prevented: "Prevented" is the past simple or past participle form of the verb. The phrase "is prevented" could be part of a passive voice construction, but "The important thing is prevented them..." does not make grammatical sense in this context.
- prevent: "Prevent" is the base form of the verb. The structure "is prevent" is not grammatically correct. The verb following "is" in this type of construction needs to be an infinitive ("to prevent") or a gerund ("preventing").
- to prevent: "To prevent" is the infinitive form. The structure "The important thing is to prevent..." is a grammatically correct and common way to express a purpose, goal, or necessity. It means the main point or goal is the action of preventing. This fits perfectly with the context of the passage, which is about how to deal with temptations.
Selecting the Most Appropriate Option for Blank 1
Based on the grammatical analysis, "to prevent" is the only option that correctly completes the sentence structure "The important thing is ______ them from gaining a foothold...". It clearly states that the primary objective is to prevent temptations from becoming established.
Correct Word for Blank No. 1
The most appropriate word to fill in Blank No. 1 is "to prevent".
The completed part of the sentence reads: "The important thing is to prevent them from gaining a foothold in our ______."
This selection makes the sentence grammatically sound and logically consistent with the passage's theme of managing temptations.
Revision Table: Understanding Verb Forms
Understanding different verb forms like infinitives and gerunds is crucial for fill-in-the-blank questions involving grammar.
| Verb Form | Structure | Typical Usage After "is" (in this context) | Example in Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Form | verb | Incorrect | Incorrect: The important thing is prevent... |
| Past Simple/Participle | verb-ed (often) | Incorrect (in this active context) | Incorrect: The important thing is prevented... |
| Gerund | verb-ing | Possible (The important thing is preventing...) | Possible: The important thing is preventing them... |
| Infinitive | to + base form | Possible (The important thing is to prevent...) | Correct: The important thing is to prevent them... |
In this specific structure "The important thing is...", both the gerund ("preventing") and the infinitive ("to prevent") can sometimes be used, often with subtle differences in emphasis. However, given the options, only the infinitive "to prevent" is provided in a grammatically correct form (option "to preventing" is incorrect).
Additional Information: Dealing with Temptations
The passage discusses how to deal with temptations. Here are some key takeaways and related concepts mentioned:
- Early Detection: Recognizing the first signs of temptation is important.
- Mindfulness/Attention Shift: Consciously changing focus to positive or noble thoughts.
- Avoidance Strategy: The safest approach is to stay away from situations where one might be tempted.
- Seeking Help: If temptation becomes severe, seeking advice from a trusted friend is advised.
Effectively dealing with temptations involves vigilance, proactive strategies, and sometimes seeking support from others.
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)?
