Understanding Sentence Completion: Minister's Arrival

This question requires us to find the most suitable verb to complete the sentence: "The minister reached the venue of the programme before time which ______ wonder and awe among the organisers." The sentence describes the effect of the minister's early arrival on the organisers. The word needed should indicate that the early arrival *caused* or *produced* the feelings of wonder and awe.

Analyzing the Options

Let's examine each option to see how well it fits the context:

• 1. strengthened: This verb means to make something stronger. For example, "The applause strengthened the speaker's confidence." In our sentence, the minister's arrival didn't make the wonder stronger; it caused it in the first place. So, this option is not appropriate.
• 2. draped: This verb means to cover or hang something loosely. For example, "She draped a shawl over her shoulders." This meaning is completely unrelated to causing emotions like wonder and awe. Therefore, this is incorrect.
• 3. created: This verb means to bring something into existence or to cause something to happen. For example, "The news created excitement." In the context of the sentence, the minister's early arrival *caused* or *brought about* feelings of wonder and awe among the organisers. This fits the meaning perfectly.
• 4. lagged: This verb means to fall behind or move slowly. For example, "The runner lagged behind the others." This is the opposite of arriving before time and doesn't fit the cause-and-effect relationship described. Thus, this option is incorrect.

Selecting the Best Fit

Based on the analysis, the verb 'created' is the most appropriate choice because it accurately describes the action of causing or producing the feelings of wonder and awe among the organisers as a result of the minister's early arrival.

The completed sentence reads: "The minister reached the venue of the programme before time which created wonder and awe among the organisers."