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. Anders 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) ______. He was never in the best of tempers (4) ______. Anders - a book critic known for the weary, elegant savagery with which he (5) ______ almost everything he reviewed.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank No. 5.
dispatched
Understanding the Passage and Blank No. 5
The passage describes Anders, a book critic, who is in a bad mood. It mentions his reputation for being weary and having an elegant savagery when he reviews books. We need to find the word that best fits how he handles or deals with almost everything he reviewed, given this description of his style.
Analyzing the Options for Blank No. 5
Let's look at each option provided for blank number 5:
- transferred: This means moving something from one place to another. It doesn't fit the context of how a critic reviews something.
- incorporated: This means including something as part of a whole. While a review might incorporate ideas, the word itself doesn't describe the critic's action of reviewing in a 'savage' manner.
- conditioned: This means training or influencing something to behave in a certain way. This term is used in psychology or biology and is not appropriate for describing how a book critic reviews books.
- dispatched: This word has multiple meanings. It can mean sending something off, but it can also mean dealing with a task, problem, or opponent quickly and decisively. In the context of a critic known for "weary, elegant savagery," 'dispatched' implies that he dealt with the items he reviewed in a severe, critical, or even dismissive manner. It fits the idea of a sharp, final critique.
Selecting the Most Appropriate Option
Considering the phrase "weary, elegant savagery with which he (5) ______ almost everything he reviewed," the word 'dispatched' is the most fitting choice. It suggests that Anders handled or dealt with his reviews in a manner characterized by harshness and decisiveness, aligning with the description of his 'savagery'. The other options do not convey this sense of critical dealing or handling of the review process.
Conclusion for Blank No. 5
Based on the analysis of the options and the context of the passage describing Anders's reviewing style, 'dispatched' is the most appropriate word to fill in blank number 5.
| Option | Meaning | Fits Context? |
|---|---|---|
| transferred | Moved from one place to another | No |
| incorporated | Included as part of something else | No |
| conditioned | Trained or influenced behavior | No |
| dispatched | Dealt with or handled decisively/severely | Yes |
Revision Table: Key Concepts
| Term | Relevance to Passage | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Savagery | Describes critic's style | Extreme fierceness or cruelty; used here metaphorically for harsh criticism. |
| Weary | Describes critic's attitude | Feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion or lack of sleep; also implies boredom or resignation. |
| Elegant | Describes critic's style | Pleasingly graceful and stylish in appearance or manner; suggests sophistication in his harshness. |
| Dispatched | Action of critic | To deal with (a task, problem, or opponent) quickly and efficiently; implying a decisive handling of reviews. |
Additional Information: Word Choice in Context
When filling blanks in a passage, it's crucial to consider the surrounding words and the overall tone. The words "weary, elegant savagery" are strong descriptors that paint a clear picture of Anders's approach. Therefore, the word chosen for the blank must align with this intense and critical style. 'Dispatched', in the sense of dealing with something decisively and perhaps harshly, is the only option that resonates with the 'savagery' described. This highlights the importance of understanding the nuances of word meanings and how they function in specific contexts within a sentence and paragraph.
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)?
