In the following passage some of the words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives. One headteacher asked what she should say to parents who request guidance ________ (1) getting their child "school- ready", because she was concerned that too ________ (2) parents have become convinced that an expert (the teacher) knows more than they do about their own child's ________ (3) Her intention was not to bash parents, ________ (4) she wanted to know how to encourage parents to see "school" as a distinct domain from "home", where their own ________ (5) ought to hold sway.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank 1
on
Understanding Prepositions with "Guidance" for Blank 1
The question asks us to fill in the first blank in the passage. The sentence is: "One headteacher asked what she should say to parents who request guidance ________ (1) getting their child 'school- ready'". We need to choose the most appropriate preposition to follow the word "guidance".
Analyzing the Options for Blank 1
Let's look at the given options and see how they fit after the word "guidance":
- at: "guidance at getting". Using "at" in this context feels incorrect. "At" is usually used for a specific point in time or location.
- to: "guidance to getting". While "to" can show direction, it doesn't typically follow "guidance" when indicating the topic of the guidance.
- of: "guidance of getting". "Of" can show possession or relationship, but "guidance of [topic]" is not the standard phrasing to indicate what the guidance is about.
- on: "guidance on getting". The preposition "on" is commonly used to mean "about" or "concerning" a particular subject. We often say "guidance on a topic" to specify what the guidance is related to. For example, "guidance on parenting," "guidance on how to study," or "guidance on health issues."
In the sentence, the headteacher is asked for advice or direction regarding the process of preparing a child for school. The phrase "getting their child 'school- ready'" describes the subject of the requested guidance.
Choosing the Correct Preposition
Comparing the options, "guidance on" is the most natural and grammatically correct way to express that the guidance is about the topic of "getting their child 'school- ready'". This phrasing clearly indicates the subject matter of the guidance requested by the parents.
Therefore, the most appropriate word to fill in blank (1) is "on".
Revision Table: Blank 1 Analysis
| Option | Preposition | Fit with "guidance"? | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | at | No | Incorrect usage for topic. |
| 2 | to | No | Incorrect usage for topic. |
| 3 | of | No | Incorrect usage for topic. |
| 4 | on | Yes | Correct usage to mean "about" or "concerning" a topic. |
Additional Information: Prepositions After "Guidance"
The choice of preposition after "guidance" depends on the context. Some common usages include:
- Guidance on: Used when the guidance is about a specific topic or subject. (e.g., guidance on career choices)
- Guidance for: Used when the guidance is intended for a specific person or group. (e.g., guidance for students)
- Guidance from: Used to indicate the source of the guidance. (e.g., guidance from a mentor)
In the context of this passage, the parents are asking for guidance that is *about* how to get their child school-ready, making "on" the suitable choice.
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)?
