The sentences given with blanks are to be filled with an appropriate word(s). Four alternatives are suggested for each question. For each question, choose the correct alternative and click the button corresponding to it. Children must be ______ to their parents.
obedient
Understanding Sentence Completion and Adjectives
This question asks us to choose the most appropriate word to fill the blank in the sentence: "Children must be ______ to their parents." This tests our knowledge of English grammar, specifically how words function in a sentence and which form is correct after modal verbs and the verb 'to be'.
Analyzing the Sentence Structure
The sentence structure is "Subject (Children) + Modal Verb (must) + Verb 'be' + Blank + Prepositional Phrase (to their parents)". The blank needs a word that describes the state or characteristic of the children in relation to their parents. The structure "must be + [word]" often requires an adjective or a past participle used as an adjective.
Evaluating the Options
Let's look at each option provided for filling the blank:
- obedient
- obeying
- obey
- obeyed
Statement-wise Analysis of Each Option:
- Option 1: obedient
The word 'obedient' is an adjective. Adjectives describe nouns (in this case, 'Children'). The structure "must be + adjective" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express a required state or characteristic. For example, "You must be careful." or "She must be happy." The phrase "obedient to their parents" fits perfectly to describe the state of being obedient towards parents.
- Option 2: obeying
'Obeying' is the present participle form of the verb 'obey'. While 'be + -ing' is used for continuous tenses (e.g., "They are obeying"), the structure "must be obeying" suggests an ongoing action that is required, which doesn't quite capture the required characteristic implied by the sentence. It would fit better in a context like "Children must be actively obeying instructions" if referring to a specific task.
- Option 3: obey
'Obey' is the base form of the verb. Modal verbs like 'must' are usually followed by the base form of a verb (e.g., "Children must obey their parents"). However, the sentence already includes the verb 'be' after 'must'. The structure "must be + base verb" is generally incorrect in standard English grammar.
- Option 4: obeyed
'Obeyed' is the past participle form of the verb 'obey'. It can be used after 'be' to form the passive voice (e.g., "Instructions must be obeyed"). However, the sentence is about the children's characteristic or action towards their parents, not something being done passively to the children. "Children must be obeyed" would mean others must obey the children, which is not the intended meaning.
Determining the Correct Word
Based on the analysis, the structure "must be + adjective" is required to describe the desired state or characteristic of the children towards their parents. 'Obedient' is the adjective form that fits this context and structure perfectly. The phrase "obedient to someone" is a standard construction.
| Option | Word Type | Fit in Sentence Structure | Meaning | Appropriateness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| obedient | Adjective | Correct (must be + adjective) | Describes children's characteristic | Correct |
| obeying | Present Participle | Unlikely (must be + -ing for required ongoing action) | Required ongoing act of obeying | Incorrect |
| obey | Base Verb | Incorrect (must be + base verb) | Base action form | Incorrect |
| obeyed | Past Participle | Incorrect (passive voice, wrong meaning) | Something done passively to children | Incorrect |
Therefore, the most appropriate word to fill the blank is 'obedient'. The complete sentence is "Children must be obedient to their parents."
Revision Table
| Question Type | Sentence Completion (Grammar) |
|---|---|
| Sentence | Children must be ______ to their parents. |
| Correct Option | 1. obedient |
| Reasoning | 'obedient' is the correct adjective form needed after 'must be' to describe the required characteristic of children towards their parents. |
Additional Information: Using 'Be' After Modal Verbs
Modal verbs (like must, can, could, will, would, shall, should, may, might) are typically followed by the base form of another verb. For example:
- Children must obey their parents. (Modal verb + Base verb)
- They can play outside. (Modal verb + Base verb)
However, if the sentence requires the verb 'to be' after the modal, it takes the base form 'be'. What follows 'be' depends on the intended meaning and grammatical structure:
- Modal + be + Adjective: Describes a required state or characteristic. Example: "You must be careful." "They should be ready." "Children must be obedient."
- Modal + be + Present Participle (-ing): Forms the continuous aspect, describing a required ongoing action. Example: "You must be kidding." "They will be arriving soon." (Less common to express obligation/requirement for a continuous action unless specific context).
- Modal + be + Past Participle (-ed): Forms the passive voice, describing something that must be done *to* the subject. Example: "The rules must be followed." "He should be informed." "Instructions must be obeyed."
In our specific sentence, the phrase "to their parents" strongly suggests that we are describing the children's required state or behavior *towards* their parents, not something passive being done to the children ("obeyed") or a continuous action ("obeying") that fits the general statement less well than a characteristic ("obedient").
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Important Questions from Fill in the blanks
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