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 (9)
Always
English Cloze Test Solution: Analyzing Blank (9)
This question requires us to fill in the blanks in a passage to make it grammatically correct and contextually meaningful. We need to select the most appropriate word for blank (9) based on the flow and meaning of the sentence.
Understanding the Sentence for Blank (9)
The sentence containing blank (9) is: "I cannot explain___(8)___for this but that is how it___(9)___has been and that is how it is___(10)___."
The phrase "that is how it ___ has been" talks about a continuous or repeated state or condition in the past that extends to the present. We need a word that fits this idea.
Analyzing the Options for Blank (9)
Let's examine each option provided for blank (9):
- Always: If we use "Always", the phrase becomes "that is how it always has been". This means that this feeling or situation has continuously existed in the past up to now. This makes perfect sense in the context of describing a long-standing personal feeling ("Whenever I go into a bank, I feel scared...").
- No time: If we use "No time", the phrase becomes "that is how it no time has been". This is grammatically incorrect and does not convey any sensible meaning in this context.
- Any time: If we use "Any time", the phrase becomes "that is how it any time has been". "Any time" typically means "whenever" or "at any point". While it relates to time, the structure "it any time has been" is not a standard English construction to describe a continuous past state.
- Many times: If we use "Many times", the phrase becomes "that is how it many times has been". This suggests the feeling has occurred on numerous occasions in the past, but "always" is stronger and better fits the idea of a consistent, ongoing condition described by "has been". "Always" implies a more constant state than "many times".
Conclusion for Blank (9)
Comparing the options, "Always" is the only word that grammatically and contextually fits the phrase "that is how it ___ has been", signifying a continuous state in the past leading up to the present. The sentence expresses a long-standing feeling of fear associated with banks.
Revision Table: Key Vocabulary & Usage
| Word | Meaning in Context | Usage Example |
|---|---|---|
| Always | At all times; on all occasions; continuously. | She always arrives on time. It has always been this way. |
| No time | Not any time; an extremely short period. | There is no time to waste. He finished in no time. (Not suitable here) |
| Any time | Whenever; at any time. | You can call me any time. (Not suitable for "it has been") |
| Many times | On numerous occasions. | I have visited that place many times. (Could fit in some contexts, but "always" implies consistency better here) |
Additional Information: Understanding 'Has Been'
The phrase "has been" is part of the present perfect tense (specifically, the present perfect simple or continuous depending on context and the verb). In the structure "it has been", it often describes a state that started in the past and continues up to the present moment.
Examples:
- "It has been cold this week." (Started cold earlier, still cold)
- "She has been a teacher for ten years." (Started teaching ten years ago, still a teacher)
- "That's how it has always been." (It was like that in the past, and it is still like that now)
In the given sentence, "that is how it always has been" correctly uses "always" to emphasize the continuous nature of the state described by "has been".
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