Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank. We _________ off old clothes and bought new ones for Diwali.
cast
Understanding the Sentence and Word Choices
The question asks us to select the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: "We _________ off old clothes and bought new ones for Diwali." We need a word that fits the context of getting rid of old clothes to make space for new ones for a festival like Diwali.
Let's look at the meaning of each option provided:
- cost: This refers to the price paid for something or the amount of money needed to buy something. It does not fit the context of removing clothes.
- coast: This refers to the land near a sea or ocean. It is completely unrelated to clothes or getting rid of them.
- caste: This refers to a system of social stratification, particularly in India. It has no relevance to clothes.
- cast: This word has multiple meanings. One of its uses is in the phrasal verb "cast off," which means to discard, abandon, or get rid of something old or unwanted.
Analyzing the Phrase "_________ off"
The sentence includes the word "off" immediately after the blank: "We _________ off old clothes...". This suggests we are looking for a word that forms a common phrase or phrasal verb with "off". Let's consider if any of the options form a meaningful phrase with "off" in the context of clothes:
- "cost off" - This is not a standard English phrase.
- "coast off" - This is not a standard English phrase related to clothes.
- "caste off" - This is not a standard English phrase related to clothes.
- "cast off" - This is a standard phrasal verb. As mentioned, "cast off" means to get rid of something old or unwanted. This meaning perfectly fits the sentence about disposing of old clothes before buying new ones for Diwali.
Why "Cast" is the Correct Word
The phrasal verb "cast off" is used to describe the action of getting rid of something, such as old clothes or even opinions or restrictions. In the given sentence, the action is about removing and discarding old clothes. Therefore, "cast off" is the correct phrase needed here.
The sentence "We cast off old clothes and bought new ones for Diwali" clearly means they got rid of their old clothes in preparation for buying new ones for the festival.
Comparison of Options
Let's summarize why the other options are incorrect:
| Option | Meaning | Fits Sentence Context? |
|---|---|---|
| cost | Price of something | No |
| coast | Land by the sea | No |
| caste | Social group | No |
| cast | Part of the phrasal verb "cast off" meaning to discard | Yes |
Based on the meanings and the context provided by the word "off", the only word that makes the sentence grammatically correct and meaningful is "cast".
Revision Table: Key Phrasal Verb
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Cast off | To discard or get rid of something old or unwanted. | They decided to cast off their old furniture before moving. |
Additional Information: Different Meanings of Cast
The word "cast" has several other meanings and uses in English, besides being part of "cast off". Understanding these different meanings is helpful for vocabulary building.
- To throw something forcefully: e.g., "He cast the stone into the river."
- To select actors for a play or film: e.g., "The director is trying to cast the lead role."
- A plaster mould used to protect a broken bone: e.g., "He has a cast on his broken arm."
- The shape produced by pouring liquid into a mould: e.g., "a bronze cast of the statue."
- The group of actors in a play or film: e.g., "The whole cast took a bow."
However, in the specific context of the phrase "_________ off old clothes", only the meaning related to discarding or getting rid of fits.
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