Direction: Each of the following sentences in the following question has a blank space with four words or a group of words given. Select whichever word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response accordingly. Whenever I go into a bank, I feel scared. Everybody and everything that I see there___(1)___me. As for the manager, the sight___(2)___him simply terrifies me and___(3)___me want to run-away___(4)___I can. As soon as I___(5)___the door of the bank I lose my head___(6)___when I try to do any___(7)___there, I behave like an idiot. I cannot explain___(8)___for this but that is how it___(9)___has been and that is how it is___(10)___.
Select whichever word you consider most appropriate for the blank (8)
The reasons
Understanding Cloze Test Blanks - Filling Blank (8)
This question asks us to choose the most appropriate word to fill the blank labeled (8) in the given passage. The passage describes a person's fear of banks and their difficulty in explaining this feeling.
Analyzing Blank (8) in Context
The sentence containing blank (8) is: "I cannot explain___(8)___for this but that is how it___(9)___has been and that is how it is___(10)___."
The phrase structure is "I cannot explain _______ for this". We need a word or phrase that fits grammatically and contextually after "explain" and before "for this", referring to the reason behind the feeling described.
Examining the Options for Blank (8)
Let's look at the provided options for blank (8):
- The reasons
- The responses
- The answers
- The causes
Now, let's substitute each option into the sentence fragment "I cannot explain _______ for this":
- "I cannot explain The reasons for this" - This sounds natural and grammatically correct. It means the speaker cannot explain why they feel this way.
- "I cannot explain The responses for this" - "Responses" are reactions to something. While the fear is a response, saying "explain the responses for this" is not the most common or natural phrasing when discussing the underlying cause of a feeling.
- "I cannot explain The answers for this" - "Answers" are typically solutions to problems or replies to questions. This doesn't fit the context of explaining the origin of a feeling of fear.
- "I cannot explain The causes for this" - This also sounds natural and grammatically correct. "Causes" refers to what brings something about. This is very similar in meaning to "reasons".
Selecting the Most Appropriate Word
Both "The reasons" and "The causes" fit well grammatically and semantically. However, in common usage, when someone says they cannot explain a feeling or situation, they often say they cannot explain "the reasons for it". "The reasons" specifically addresses the rationale or justification behind something, which aligns well with trying to understand a persistent fear.
Considering the options and common English phrasing, "The reasons" is the most appropriate choice to complete the sentence naturally and convey the intended meaning that the speaker doesn't know why they feel scared in banks.
Therefore, the most appropriate word for blank (8) is "The reasons".
Revision Table: Blank (8)
| Blank Number | Context Phrase | Options | Selected Word | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (8) | I cannot explain ___ for this | The reasons, The responses, The answers, The causes | The reasons | "Explain the reasons for this" is a common and natural phrase used to express inability to understand why something is the way it is. While "The causes" is similar, "The reasons" fits slightly better in the context of explaining a personal feeling. |
Additional Information: Understanding Cloze Tests
Cloze tests are exercises where words are removed from a passage and the test-taker must replace them. These tests assess reading comprehension, vocabulary, and understanding of context and grammar.
- To succeed in cloze tests, read the entire passage first to understand the overall meaning and tone.
- Focus on the sentence containing the blank, looking at the words immediately before and after it.
- Consider the grammatical role required for the blank (e.g., noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition).
- Try substituting each option into the blank and see which one fits best grammatically and makes the most sense in the context of the sentence and the overall passage.
- Pay attention to collocations – words that frequently go together (e.g., "explain reasons").
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