Directions: 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. In spite of all the honours that were heaped upon him, Pasteur remained a simple man ___(1)___ heart. Perhaps the memories of his boyhood days, when he ___(2)___ the familiar scenes of his birthplace, and the ___(3)___ to be a great artist never wholly left him. He did ___(4)___ a great artist but after his sixteenth year he ___(5)___ the brush forever. He put his soul and energy ___(6)___ his work, and it was this very energy that in the end ___(7)___ him out. For him, each sufferer was more than ___(8)___ a case that was to be cured. He looked upon the ___(9)___ against hydrophobia as a battle and he was ___(10)___ to win at any cost.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank no. 3.
longing
Filling in the Blank: Understanding Context
The question asks us to choose the most appropriate word to fill in blank number 3 in the given passage about Louis Pasteur. We need to read the sentence containing the blank carefully and consider the meaning of the provided options.
The sentence in question is: "Perhaps the memories of his boyhood days, when he ___(2)___ the familiar scenes of his birthplace, and the ___(3)___ to be a great artist never wholly left him."
We are looking for a word that describes Pasteur's feeling about "to be a great artist" in his boyhood. The phrase "never wholly left him" suggests a feeling that persisted over time.
Analyzing Options for Blank 3
Let's examine the given options:
- itching: This means having an uncomfortable sensation on the skin that makes you want to scratch. It can also mean having a strong urge or restless desire for something. While it implies desire, it might sound informal or less profound in this context.
- wishing: This means having a desire or hope for something to happen. It's a general term for desire.
- longing: This means a strong, wistful desire or craving. It suggests a deep and persistent yearning, often for something that is absent or difficult to attain, or something from the past.
- loathing: This means a feeling of intense dislike or disgust. This is the opposite of what is needed here, as the sentence implies a desire or feeling that "never wholly left him," suggesting something positive or cherished.
Selecting the Most Appropriate Word
The sentence talks about a feeling "to be a great artist" that Pasteur had in his boyhood and that "never wholly left him." This suggests a deep, persistent desire rooted in his past. "Longing" best captures this sense of a strong, perhaps nostalgic or wistful desire that stayed with him throughout his life, even though he pursued a different path.
While "wishing" is also a possibility, "longing" conveys a stronger and more enduring sense of desire, fitting the context of something that "never wholly left him." "Itching" is too informal. "Loathing" is clearly incorrect as it means intense dislike.
Correct Answer for Blank 3
Based on the analysis of the context and the options, the most appropriate word to fill in blank number 3 is "longing".
Revision Table: Understanding Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning | Contextual Fit (Blank 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Itching | Strong urge or restless desire (informal) | Possible, but less formal/profound than 'longing' |
| Wishing | Desire or hope | Fits, but 'longing' suggests a stronger, more persistent feeling |
| Longing | Strong, wistful desire or craving | Best fit for a deep, persistent desire from the past |
| Loathing | Intense dislike or disgust | Incorrect; the feeling persisted, not disappeared |
Additional Information: Pasteur's Life and Interests
Louis Pasteur was a pioneering scientist known for his breakthroughs in microbiology and chemistry, including pasteurization and vaccines. Although he became a world-renowned scientist, this passage highlights that he had other interests in his youth, such as art. The mention of his "longing to be a great artist" adds a human touch to his biography, showing that even highly focused individuals may have held onto dreams or passions from their earlier years.
Understanding vocabulary in context is crucial for comprehension and filling blanks correctly in passages like this. Pay attention to the surrounding words and the overall tone of the text.
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
