Understanding the Passage and Blank 2

The passage tells the story of Anders, who visits a bank just before it closes and finds a long queue. The sentence with blank No. 2 describes his position in this queue: "...and he got (2) ______ behind two women whose loud, stupid conversation put him in a murderous (3) ______." We need to choose the word that best describes being positioned or held up behind others in a line.

Analyzing the Options for Blank 2

Let's look at the given options and see which one makes the most sense in the context of being in a bank queue:

• stuck: This word means to be unable to move or to be held in a particular position. When you are in a queue and cannot move forward because of the people in front, you are "stuck behind" them. This is a very common way to describe this situation.
• struck: This is the past tense of 'strike'. It can mean to hit, or to be affected suddenly by something (like an idea or a feeling). It doesn't fit the meaning of being held up in a queue.
• stamped: This word usually relates to making a mark with a stamp or walking heavily. It has no relevance to being in a queue.
• fastened: This word means to attach or secure something. It does not describe being held up in a queue.

Choosing the Most Appropriate Word

Considering the meaning of each option and the context of the sentence, the word that most accurately describes Anders' situation in the bank queue is "stuck". The phrase "got stuck behind" is a common idiom used to express being held up or delayed by someone or something in front of you, exactly what happens in a long queue.

For example, if you are in traffic and the cars in front aren't moving, you might say, "I'm stuck behind this slow truck." Similarly, in a bank queue, Anders was unable to move forward because of the people in front of him, so he "got stuck behind" the two women.

Conclusion for Blank 2

The most appropriate option to fill in blank No. 2 is "stuck". It correctly conveys that Anders was held up or positioned behind the two women in the queue, unable to move forward efficiently.

Revision Table: Understanding Phrasal Verbs

The phrase "got stuck behind" uses the verb "get" with an adjective ("stuck") and a preposition ("behind") to form a common expression. Such combinations are frequent in English.

Additional Information: Vocabulary for Queues

Here are some other words and phrases commonly used when talking about queues:

• Queue: A line of people waiting for something.
• Line: Another word for queue (more common in American English).
• Join the queue/line: To stand at the back of the waiting line.
• Wait in line: To stand in a queue and wait your turn.
• Be at the front/back of the queue: Describe your position in the line.
• Jump the queue: To go ahead of people who have been waiting longer.
• Form a queue: When people arrange themselves into a line.