Understanding the Passage and the Blank

The question asks us to select the most appropriate word to fill in blank number 3 in the given passage. The passage describes Anders' frustrating experience at a bank. The sentence containing the blank is: "He couldn't get to the bank until just before it closed, so of course the (1) ______ was endless and he got (2) ______ behind two women whose loud, stupid conversation put him in a murderous (3) ______."

We need to find a word that fits the context of being made extremely angry by a "loud, stupid conversation". The phrase "put him in a murderous ______" is a key indicator of the required meaning.

Analyzing the Options for Blank 3

Let's examine the provided options for blank number 3:

• wrath: Intense anger; rage. While related to anger, the phrasing "put someone in a murderous wrath" is not a standard English idiom. We usually say someone is "filled with wrath" or "aroused to wrath".
• quality: A characteristic or feature. This word refers to an inherent trait, not a temporary emotional state induced by a situation. It does not fit the context of being made angry by a conversation.
• temperament: A person's usual mood, character, or emotional state. Temperament refers to one's disposition over a longer period, not a sudden state caused by an external event. It's like saying someone has a calm temperament or an irritable temperament. The conversation didn't change his fundamental temperament, it put him in a specific mood.
• temper: A person's state of mind regarding their mood, especially anger. The phrase "put someone in a murderous temper" is a common idiom used to describe making someone extremely angry, to the point of feeling violent (though not necessarily acting on it). This perfectly matches the context of being irritated to a great degree by the conversation.

Identifying the Correct Word: Temper

The phrase "put someone in a murderous temper" is a well-known idiom meaning to make someone incredibly angry. The conversation described was "loud and stupid", which is clearly presented as the cause of Anders' extreme irritation. Among the given options, 'temper' is the only word that fits grammatically and contextually within this common idiomatic expression.

Let's look at how the full sentence would read with 'temper':
"...behind two women whose loud, stupid conversation put him in a murderous temper."

This sentence makes perfect sense, indicating that the conversation made Anders extremely angry.

Conclusion for Blank 3

Based on the analysis of the options and the idiomatic use of language, the most appropriate word to fill in blank number 3 is 'temper'.

Revision Table: Vocabulary and Idioms

Additional Information: Understanding Context in Passages

When completing passages with blanks, it's crucial to consider not just the individual word meanings but also how words fit together in phrases, sentences, and the overall context. Idioms, common collocations (words that often go together), and the tone of the passage are all important clues.

• Context Clues: Look at the words immediately surrounding the blank, as well as the sentences before and after. These provide hints about the meaning and type of word needed.
• Idioms and Fixed Phrases: English has many fixed phrases and idioms where specific words are used together to create a particular meaning (e.g., "in a bad mood", "lose your temper", "make ends meet"). Recognizing these helps in choosing the correct word.
• Tone: The tone of the passage (e.g., humorous, serious, critical) can also guide word choice. In this passage, words like "endless" queue, "loud, stupid" conversation, and "murderous temper" suggest a tone of frustration and irritation.
• Elimination: If unsure, try eliminating options that clearly do not fit the grammar or meaning of the sentence.