Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
Understanding Vocabulary for Sentence Completion
The question asks us to select the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: "We should ______ his outfit as he has put on weight." To find the correct answer, we need to understand the meaning of each option and how it fits the context of the sentence.
Analyzing the Options
Let's look at the meaning of each word provided in the options:
- alter: This word means to change or make different. When talking about clothing, 'alter' means to make changes to the size or shape of the garment so it fits better.
- altar: This is a noun that refers to a table or sacred place used in religious ceremonies.
- ultra: This word means beyond, to an extreme degree, or refers to something that is very extreme or modern.
- utter: As a verb, it means to say or make a sound. As an adjective, it means complete or absolute.
Selecting the Correct Word
The sentence states that someone has "put on weight," which implies their clothes might no longer fit properly. The action needed is to adjust the outfit to accommodate the weight gain. Out of the given options, the word that means to change or modify clothing is "alter".
Let's see how each word fits into the sentence:
- "We should alter his outfit as he has put on weight." - This makes sense. It means we should change the outfit so it fits him now that he has gained weight.
- "We should altar his outfit as he has put on weight." - This does not make sense. 'altar' is a religious structure and cannot be used as a verb in this context.
- "We should ultra his outfit as he has put on weight." - This does not make sense. 'ultra' is primarily used as an adjective or prefix meaning extreme.
- "We should utter his outfit as he has put on weight." - This does not make sense. 'utter' means to say, and you cannot 'utter' an outfit.
Therefore, the most appropriate word to fill in the blank is "alter".
Completed Sentence
The completed sentence is:
"We should alter his outfit as he has put on weight."
Revision Table: Key Vocabulary
Here's a quick review of the words and their meanings discussed in this question:
| Word | Meaning Relevant to Question Context | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
| alter | To change or modify (especially clothing) | The tailor will alter the dress to fit you perfectly. |
| altar | A religious structure | Flowers were placed on the altar. |
| ultra | Extreme; beyond | He has an ultra-modern car. |
| utter | To speak; complete (adj.) | She didn't utter a word. / It was utter nonsense. |
Additional Information: Homophones and Context Clues
This question highlights the importance of understanding vocabulary, especially words that sound similar but have different meanings (like 'alter' and 'altar'). These are sometimes called homophones or near-homophones.
- Context Clues: Always look at the rest of the sentence for clues about the meaning of the missing word. The phrase "as he has put on weight" strongly suggests that a change or modification to the outfit is needed.
- Root Words: The word 'alter' comes from Latin 'alterare' meaning 'to change'. Understanding root words can sometimes help with vocabulary.
- Practice: Regularly practicing vocabulary and sentence completion exercises is key to improving your understanding and usage of English words.
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