Select the most appropriate word to fill in the blank. The police used tear gas to ______ the crowd.
disperse
Understanding the Question: Fill in the Blank with the Appropriate Word
The question asks us to select the most suitable word from the given options to complete the sentence: "The police used tear gas to ______ the crowd." We need a verb that describes what the police intend to do to a crowd by using tear gas.
Analyzing the Options
Let's look at the meaning of each word provided in the options:
- Attack: To launch a violent assault on someone or something.
- Disburse: To pay out money; to distribute something.
- Collect: To gather together; accumulate.
- Disperse: To scatter, spread over a wide area; to cause to break up or scatter.
Evaluating the Options in Context
Consider the context of the sentence. The police use tear gas as a method of crowd control, typically to break up gatherings that are disorderly or potentially dangerous. We need a word that describes this action.
- Using tear gas to attack the crowd is a possible interpretation of the police's action, but it doesn't specifically describe the effect of tear gas, which is to make people leave the area.
- Using tear gas to disburse the crowd is incorrect. "Disburse" relates to money or distribution of things, not the physical scattering of people.
- Using tear gas to collect the crowd is the opposite of what happens. Tear gas is used to scatter people, not gather them.
- Using tear gas to disperse the crowd means to cause the crowd to scatter or break up. This precisely describes the intended effect of using tear gas in this situation.
Why 'Disperse' is the Correct Word
The word "disperse" perfectly fits the context. When police use tear gas against a crowd, their aim is to make the people scatter and leave the area, thereby breaking up the gathering. "Disperse" means exactly this – to cause something (like a crowd) to break up and scatter.
Therefore, the most appropriate word to fill in the blank is "disperse".
Final Answer
The completed sentence is: "The police used tear gas to disperse the crowd."
| Option | Meaning | Fit in Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| attack | Violent assault | Possible, but not specific effect |
| disburse | Pay out money | Incorrect |
| collect | Gather together | Incorrect (opposite meaning) |
| disperse | Scatter, break up | Best fit |
Revision Table: Understanding Vocabulary in Context
| Word | Common Usage Example |
|---|---|
| Attack | The army decided to attack at dawn. |
| Disburse | The treasurer will disburse the funds. |
| Collect | She likes to collect stamps. |
| Disperse | The clouds began to disperse after the storm. |
Additional Information: Crowd Control and Vocabulary
Crowd control often involves actions designed to manage or break up large gatherings. Verbs like "disperse," "scatter," "break up," or "clear" are commonly associated with the police's actions in such situations, especially when using methods like tear gas or water cannons.
Understanding the specific meaning of verbs and how they are used in different contexts is crucial for filling in blanks correctly in sentences.
Important Questions from Fill in the Blanks
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