In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives. The result is that the impact of humanities and liberal arts on _____________ action and day-to-day activities seems to be distinctly on the wane. ______________ and conventional approaches of teaching coupled with stasis that makes them traverse the __________ beaten path of course curricula isn’t helping society seeing the relevance of humanities and social science ____________ a technology-driven, changing world. The approach inevitably will be nuanced and there will be a need to tweak the course content and fine-tune it to come ____________ with newer products to stay relevant and act as a facilitator to business and industry.
social science ____________ a technology-driven,
in
Understanding Prepositions in Context
The question asks us to fill in the blank in the phrase "social science ____________ a technology-driven, changing world" from the provided passage. To do this correctly, we need to understand how prepositions function to connect ideas and show relationships, especially concerning location or context.
The passage discusses the relevance of humanities and social science in today's world. The phrase specifically refers to the setting or environment in which social science operates and is perceived – a world shaped by technology and constant change.
Analyzing the Options
Let's look at the given options and how they might or might not fit the blank:
- in: The preposition 'in' is often used to indicate location within a space, area, or environment. It is also used to describe a condition, state, or the context in which something exists or happens. For example, "in the room," "in trouble," "in the 21st century," "in a difficult situation." When we talk about something existing or being relevant 'in a world', 'in' is the most common and natural preposition to use to describe the context or environment.
- into: The preposition 'into' typically indicates movement or transition from outside to inside, or transformation into something else. For example, "walked into the room," "turned into a frog." It doesn't fit here as we are describing the context of social science, not movement or transformation into the world.
- on: The preposition 'on' is usually used for surfaces, specific days or dates, or topics. For example, "on the table," "on Tuesday," "on the subject of history." It is not typically used to describe the general context or environment of a 'world'.
- onto: The preposition 'onto' indicates movement towards a surface. For example, "jumped onto the stage." This clearly does not fit the context of describing the relevance of social science within a technology-driven world.
Determining the Correct Preposition
Considering the function of each preposition, the word that best fits the blank to convey the idea of social science operating or being relevant within the environment of a "technology-driven, changing world" is 'in'. The phrase "in a technology-driven, changing world" correctly identifies the context or setting.
Conclusion
Filling the blank with the most appropriate preposition makes the sentence read: "social science in a technology-driven, changing world." This accurately reflects the idea that the relevance of social science is being discussed within the context of the modern, technologically advanced, and dynamic world.
| Preposition | Common Usage | Fits the Blank? | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| in | Location (area/environment), Context, State | Yes | Describes the context/environment of social science. |
| into | Movement (external to internal), Transformation | No | Implies movement or change, not context. |
| on | Surface, Day/Date, Topic | No | Incorrect for describing general context/world. |
| onto | Movement towards a surface | No | Implies movement towards a surface, incorrect here. |
Revision Table: Prepositions of Place and Context
| Preposition | Basic Meaning | Example in Context |
|---|---|---|
| in | Within an area, space, or environment; during a period; in a state or condition. | in the room, in the 21st century, in difficulty, social science in a world. |
| into | Movement towards the inside of something; changing state or form. | Went into the house, changed into a butterfly. |
| on | Positioned on a surface; relating to a day or date; about a topic. | on the table, on Monday, a book on science. |
| onto | Movement towards a position on a surface. | Jumped onto the bed. |
Additional Information: Prepositions and Meaning
Prepositions are small but important words that show relationships between nouns, pronouns, or phrases and other words in a sentence. They can indicate location, direction, time, manner, and more. Choosing the correct preposition is crucial for clear communication.
- Prepositions like 'in', 'at', and 'on' are commonly used for place and time, but their specific usage depends on the context (e.g., 'in' for larger areas/periods, 'at' for specific points, 'on' for surfaces/days).
- In the context of describing the environment or setting where something exists or is relevant, 'in' is frequently used, as seen in phrases like "in the modern era," "in this situation," or "in a globalized world."
- Understanding the subtle differences in meaning conveyed by prepositions is key to mastering English grammar and improving reading comprehension and writing skills.
- The relevance of social science needs to be understood in the context of a technology-driven world, which is exactly what the sentence implies.
Important Questions from Vocab Based Questions
Which of the following fits the blank (1) appropriately?
Which of the following fits the blank (2) appropriately?
Which of the following fits the blank (3) appropriately?
Which of the following fits the blank (4) appropriately?
Which of the following fits the blank (5) appropriately?
