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. Many a travelogue I read nowadays is about how the traveller went on a road less travelled ___________ some off-the-track trek or to an unknown destination or simply into the wild. How no internet ________________ is what you need to reconnect with yourself! How leaving your watch and phone __________ and going into the world of no check-ins and no updates would bring you solitude! These write-ups are laced with adjectives describing the geography of the region and filled with __________ details of the author’s days in that remote place. And, ironically, they all end with a strange advice to travel, and tell no one. I beg to _________.
watch and phone __________ and going into
behind
Understanding the Passage and the Blank
The passage describes a common theme in modern travel writing: the idea of disconnecting from technology and the modern world to find solitude and reconnect with oneself. The specific sentence we are examining is: "How leaving your watch and phone __________ and going into the world of no check-ins and no updates would bring you solitude!"
The blank needs a word that fits the context of leaving electronic devices behind or not taking them with you when you embark on this journey of disconnection. Let's look at the options provided:
- under
- below
- backside
- behind
Analyzing the Options
Let's consider how each word fits into the sentence "leaving your watch and phone __________ and going into the world...":
- under: "Leaving your watch and phone under" doesn't make sense in this context. It usually refers to placing something beneath another object.
- below: Similar to "under," "leaving your watch and phone below" implies a physical position relative to something else, which isn't the intended meaning of disconnecting.
- backside: "Backside" refers to the rear part of something or the buttocks. "Leaving your watch and phone backside" is grammatically incorrect and nonsensical in this sentence.
- behind: "Leaving something behind" is a common idiom meaning to not take something with you when you leave a place, or to abandon it. In this passage, it fits perfectly with the idea of disconnecting from technology. You leave your watch and phone behind when you go on a trip seeking solitude, meaning you choose not to bring them or use them.
Selecting the Correct Word
Based on the analysis of the context and the options, the word that best completes the sentence and conveys the intended meaning of disconnecting from electronic devices is "behind".
The completed phrase "leaving your watch and phone behind" strongly supports the theme of the passage, which advocates for a digital detox and seeking solitude away from constant connectivity.
Why "Behind" is the Right Choice
The phrase "to leave something behind" means to not take it with you. This is exactly what the author is suggesting one should do with a watch and phone to achieve solitude and disconnect. The other options do not convey this meaning correctly.
Therefore, the most appropriate word for the blank is "behind".
Revision Table: Word Choice Comparison
| Option | Meaning in Context | Fits the Sentence? |
|---|---|---|
| under | Beneath something | No |
| below | Lower than something | No |
| backside | Rear part/buttocks | No (grammatically incorrect) |
| behind | Not taken along/left in a place | Yes |
Additional Information: Idiomatic Phrases and Context
Understanding idiomatic phrases is crucial for filling blanks in passages like this. "Leave behind" is a phrasal verb/idiom commonly used to mean not taking something with you or abandoning something (physically or emotionally). In this case, it refers to the physical act of not carrying or using the watch and phone while travelling.
The context of the passage is about seeking solitude and disconnecting from the digital world. This context strongly supports the choice of "behind" as it implies a deliberate act of separation from these devices.
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?
