Direction: Fill in the blanks in the passage below, with the word from among the options given for each blank labelled (A) to (E). Choose the word that fits in each blank most appropriately in the context of the passage. For years anthropologists have been trying to work out what binds a family together in a lifetime of ________ (A) . Raising a family isn’t something I put on my resume, but I have to ask myself: would I apply for the same job again? It’s been hard work but in ________ (B) , no matter what deeds my life yielded, I have done something rather________ (C) . For three decades, I have been a ________ (D) of my family bonding them together, waiting for stragglers to grow up, catch up or make up, adding a little glue for ________ (E) here, patching a few harsh exchanges there, and daily ________ (F) a portion of love and loyalty to something bigger than all of us. Why is it then, that we continually test one another’s patience, loyalty, and love? Could it be these that the survival of a family is based on?
Which of the following fits in the blank labelled (C)?
Prodigious
Understanding the Blank (C) in the Passage
The passage discusses the enduring bonds within a family and the significant effort involved in maintaining them. The sentence leading up to blank (C) is: "It’s been hard work but in ________ (B) , no matter what deeds my life yielded, I have done something rather________ (C)." The speaker reflects on their role over three decades, implying they have achieved something significant or impressive through their efforts in holding the family together.
Analyzing Options for Blank (C)
Let's look at the options provided for blank (C) and evaluate which word best fits the context of the passage:
- Extraneous: This means irrelevant or unrelated. Doing something "rather extraneous" doesn't fit the context of the speaker's reflection on their life's work in maintaining family bonds.
- Extenuating: This describes something that makes a wrong act seem less serious. It doesn't apply to the positive achievement the speaker feels about their role in the family.
- Expository: This means intending to explain or describe something. Doing something "rather expository" doesn't make sense in this context; the speaker is describing the nature of their achievement, not something explanatory.
- Prodigious: This means remarkably great in extent, size, or degree; marvelous or wonderful. Doing something "rather prodigious" fits perfectly. It suggests the speaker views their effort in maintaining family bonds as a remarkable and significant achievement, considering the hard work involved over three decades.
- Pedestrian: This means lacking inspiration or excitement; dull or ordinary. This is the opposite of the sentiment expressed by the speaker, who sees their work as significant despite being hard.
Choosing the Best Fit for Blank (C)
Based on the analysis, the word "prodigious" most accurately conveys the speaker's feeling that their role in bonding the family together over many years, despite being hard work, was a remarkable and significant accomplishment. It highlights the scale and importance of the task undertaken.
Therefore, "Prodigious" is the most appropriate word to fill in blank (C).
Important Questions from Cloze Test
What would come in place of 1
What would come in place of 2
What would come in place of 3
What would come in place of 4
What would come in place of 5
