Solving the Passage Completion Question

The question asks us to determine the most appropriate word to fill in blank (2) in the provided passage. This requires careful reading of the passage and understanding the context surrounding the blank.

The relevant part of the passage is:

"But he had walked only for a few minutes when it suddenly ---(1)--- to him that he was being ----(2)--- by someone. There was no----(3)--- for it except a very slight ----(4)---- of footsteps."

We need to choose a word for blank (2) that fits logically and grammatically with "he was being ____ by someone" and is supported by the subsequent mention of "a very slight noise of footsteps."

Analyzing the Options for Blank (2)

Let's examine the given options for blank (2):

Option 1: Followed

If we insert "Followed" into the blank, the sentence becomes: "But he had walked only for a few minutes when it suddenly ... to him that he was being followed by someone." This means someone was walking behind him, trailing him. The next sentence mentions the evidence for this realization was the "noise of footsteps." Footsteps are directly associated with someone walking, and thus following. This option fits the context perfectly.

Option 2: Shot

If we insert "Shot" into the blank, the sentence becomes: "But he had walked only for a few minutes when it suddenly ... to him that he was being shot by someone." This means someone was firing a weapon at him. This action is sudden and violent. The subsequent sentence talks about "noise of footsteps" as the evidence, which is inconsistent with being shot. Realizing you are being shot is usually accompanied by the sound of the shot, the impact, etc., not just footsteps in the distance. This option does not fit the context or the evidence provided.

Option 3: Looked

If we insert "Looked" into the blank, the sentence becomes: "But he had walked only for a few minutes when it suddenly ... to him that he was being looked by someone." The phrase "being looked by someone" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing would typically be "being looked at by someone" or "looked at by someone." Even if grammatically corrected, "being looked at" implies visual observation. While being followed often involves being looked at, the primary evidence mentioned is "footsteps," which is a sound related to movement behind someone, not just visual observation. Therefore, this option is grammatically incorrect and less fitting to the evidence than "Followed."

Determining the Best Word for Blank (2)

Based on the analysis of the options and the crucial clue provided by the "noise of footsteps" in the sentence immediately following the blank, the word that best fits the context and makes the sentence grammatically correct and logically sound is "Followed." The realization that he was "being followed by someone" is naturally supported by hearing their "footsteps."

Therefore, the correct word to fill in blank (2) is Followed.

Revision Table: Passage Completion Key Points

Additional Information: Understanding Context Clues in Passage Completion

Passage completion questions, often called fill in the blanks, test your understanding of vocabulary, grammar, and context. To successfully answer these questions, you should:

• Read the entire passage first to get a general sense of the topic and flow.
• Focus on the sentence containing the blank and the sentences immediately before and after it. These sentences often provide crucial context clues.
• Consider the grammatical structure required by the blank (e.g., is it a noun, verb, adjective, adverb?).
• Evaluate each option provided, inserting it into the blank to see if it makes sense logically and grammatically within the sentence and the overall passage.
• Look for specific clues like actions, descriptions, cause-and-effect relationships, or evidence mentioned, as seen with the "noise of footsteps" in this passage completion example.
• Eliminate options that are grammatically incorrect or contradict the context of the passage.

By using these strategies, you can improve your accuracy in answering passage completion questions and enhance your reading comprehension skills.