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. I arrived in Delhi in 2009 from a very small town. I had (1)______ lived in a big city before. It was a (2)______ experience for me. I walked around, learning (3)______ names of the streets and taking note (4)______ the shops. After months of wandering, I (5)______ that I had slowly become familiar with Delhi and (6)______ at home. On weekends, I packed some chapatis that (7)______ as my mid-day meal. Then I left for a (8)______ park where I spent hours (9)______ the people of my new city (10)______ feeding the birds with bits of chapatis.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank No. 8.
nearby
Let's analyze the provided passage and determine the most appropriate word for blank number 8.
Understanding the Passage Context
The passage describes a person's experience moving to Delhi from a small town. The narrator is exploring the city, becoming familiar with it, and feeling at home. The sentence containing blank 8 describes a weekend routine:
"On weekends, I packed some chapatis that (7)______ as my mid-day meal. Then I left for a (8)______ park where I spent hours (9)______ the people of my new city (10)______ feeding the birds with bits of chapatis."
Blank 8 is an adjective modifying the noun "park". It describes the location or type of park the narrator goes to. The options relate to proximity.
Analyzing Options for Blank 8: Location Adjective
We need to choose the word that best describes a park that the narrator would go to on a weekend from their location. The options are 'nearest', 'nearer', 'nearby', and 'near'. Let's look at each one:
- Nearest: This is the superlative form of 'near'. It means the absolute closest one among all possible parks. While grammatically correct (e.g., "the nearest park"), it usually requires 'the' article and implies there are multiple parks to choose from, and the narrator selects the absolute closest one. Using "a nearest park" is generally grammatically awkward and not common usage.
- Nearer: This is the comparative form of 'near'. It means closer than something else. It requires a point of comparison (e.g., "nearer than the last park I visited"). The sentence provides no such comparison, so 'nearer' is not appropriate here.
- Nearby: This word functions primarily as an adjective meaning "close at hand" or "in the vicinity". It directly describes a noun (like 'park') as being located close by. "A nearby park" is a very common and natural phrase used to indicate a park that is not far away from the speaker's current or implied location.
- Near: 'Near' can be used as an adjective, but it often follows the noun it modifies (e.g., "a park near my house") or is used with a preposition ("near the river"). While "a near park" is sometimes used, "a nearby park" is generally the more idiomatic and preferred way to describe a park located in the vicinity as a direct adjective before the noun.
Evaluating the Best Fit
The sentence describes the narrator leaving for "a ______ park" to spend hours there. The phrase needs an adjective that indicates the park's proximity to the narrator's location without requiring a comparison or specific context about other parks. 'Nearby' perfectly fits this requirement, acting as a simple adjective meaning "close by".
Let's see how the options sound in the sentence:
- "Then I left for a nearest park..." - Awkward grammar ("a nearest").
- "Then I left for a nearer park..." - Grammatically incorrect without a comparison point.
- "Then I left for a nearby park..." - Sounds natural and correct. Describes a park that is close by.
- "Then I left for a near park..." - Less natural and common than "a nearby park" when used as a direct adjective before the noun.
Based on the analysis, 'nearby' is the most appropriate word to fill blank 8.
| Option | Word | Analysis | Suitability for Blank 8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | nearest | Superlative; usually used with 'the'; "a nearest" is awkward. | Poor |
| 2 | nearer | Comparative; requires a comparison point. | Incorrect |
| 3 | nearby | Adjective meaning "close by"; naturally modifies "park". | Excellent |
| 4 | near | Can be adjective/adverb/preposition; "a near park" is less idiomatic than "a nearby park". | Fair, but less suitable than 'nearby' |
Conclusion
The word "nearby" is the most suitable option to fill blank number 8, as it functions correctly as an adjective to describe a park located close by, fitting the context of the narrator's routine.
Revision Table: English Adjectives of Proximity
| Word | Type | Meaning | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Near | Adjective, Adverb, Preposition | Close in distance | (Adj) The near future; (Prep) near the house; (Adv) He lives near. |
| Nearby | Adjective, Adverb | Close at hand; in the vicinity | (Adj) a nearby store; (Adv) He lives nearby. |
| Nearer | Comparative Adjective/Adverb | Closer than something else | This park is nearer than the other one. |
| Nearest | Superlative Adjective/Adverb | Closest of all | The nearest bus stop is two blocks away. |
Additional Information: Filling Blanks in Passages
When filling blanks in a passage, consider the following:
- Context: Read the sentences immediately before and after the blank to understand the meaning required.
- Grammar: Determine the part of speech needed (noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, etc.). Check for correct articles, prepositions, verb tense, and subject-verb agreement.
- Meaning: Evaluate how each option changes the meaning of the sentence and the overall passage.
- Collocation: Consider which words naturally go together (e.g., "make a decision" not "do a decision").
- Tone and Style: Ensure the chosen word fits the overall tone and style of the passage.
In this specific question, blank 8 required an adjective describing the location of the park. Analyzing the meaning and common usage of proximity adjectives helped identify "nearby" as the best fit.
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)?
