In the following passage at certain points you are given a choice of three words marked (1), (2) and (3), one of which fits the meaning of the passage. Choose the best word out of the three. I was engaged in many activities and I wanted a proper reconciliation between my activity and thought. Thought without___ (1)___. is undeveloped thought. Action without___(2)___is folly. Of course we___(3)___ act on some impulse or___(4)___urge. If suddenly you throw___(5)___brick at me and my___(6)___goes up in front to____(7)____myself, it is an automatic,____(8)____action and not a result____(9)____deliberate thought. Our living is____(10)____by a series of automatic ____(11)____ from morning till night. Anything____(12)____do outside that common range of____(13)____however, has to be____(14)____by some measure of thinking,____(15)____more action and thought are____(16)____and integrated, the more effective____(17)____become and the happier you ____(18)____. There will then be no____(19)____between a wish to do something and____(20)____to act.
Which of the following fits the blank (3) appropriately?
sometimes
Understanding the Passage and Blank (3)
The passage discusses the importance of balancing activity and thought. It suggests that while action needs thought, and thought needs action, there are instances where we act without conscious deliberation.
The sentence containing blank (3) is: "Of course we___(3)___ act on some impulse or___(4)___urge." This sentence introduces a situation where actions might not be the result of deliberate thought, contrasting with the earlier points about thought and action being integrated.
Analyzing Options for Blank (3)
Let's look at the options provided for blank (3):
- never: If we insert "never," the sentence becomes "Of course we never act on some impulse or urge." This statement is not accurate in the context of human behavior. People frequently act on impulse without thinking things through completely. The phrase "Of course" usually introduces something that is commonly understood or accepted. Saying we "never" act on impulse contradicts this common understanding.
- belatedly: If we insert "belatedly," the sentence becomes "Of course we belatedly act on some impulse or urge." "Belatedly" means doing something later than it should have been done. Acting on an impulse or urge is typically a spontaneous and immediate reaction, not a delayed one. Therefore, "belatedly" does not fit the meaning of acting based on sudden impulse.
- sometimes: If we insert "sometimes," the sentence becomes "Of course we sometimes act on some impulse or urge." This aligns perfectly with everyday experience. There are times when we react quickly based on a sudden feeling or urge, without deep or deliberate thought. The passage uses this to illustrate the contrast between automatic actions and actions resulting from thought.
Selecting the Best Fit for Blank (3)
Based on the analysis of the options and the context of the passage, the word that best fits blank (3) is "sometimes". It accurately reflects the fact that not all actions are the result of deliberate thought; some actions are driven by impulse or urge, and this happens on occasion, not always or never, and certainly not "belatedly". The passage acknowledges this type of action before discussing automatic actions like ducking from a brick, further supporting the idea that such non-deliberate actions occur at times.
Conclusion
The most appropriate word for blank (3) that maintains the meaning and flow of the passage is "sometimes".
| Blank Number | Sentence Context | Options | Best Fit | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (3) | Of course we___(3)___ act on some impulse or... | never, belatedly, sometimes | sometimes | Acknowledges that acting on impulse happens occasionally, contrasting with deliberate thought discussed elsewhere. |
Revision Table: Passage Analysis
| Concept | Key Points from Passage | Relevance to Blank (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Activity & Thought | Need for reconciliation; Thought without action is undeveloped; Action without thought is folly. | Sets up the context where non-thought-driven action (impulse) is discussed as an exception or different category. |
| Impulse/Urge Action | Mentioned as a way we "sometimes" act. | Directly relates to the action type described in the sentence with blank (3). |
| Automatic Action | Example of ducking from a brick is given. | Presented alongside impulse/urge actions as examples of actions not driven by deliberate thought, reinforcing the idea that such actions occur. |
Additional Information: Understanding Context in Passages
When filling blanks in a passage, it is crucial to understand the overall meaning and flow of the text. Each sentence builds upon the last, and the words chosen must fit logically and grammatically into the context. For example, in this passage, the author is contrasting deliberate, thought-out actions with spontaneous, impulse-driven, or automatic actions. The word chosen for blank (3) must reflect how often or under what circumstances these impulse actions occur, in a way that supports the author's argument about the importance of integrating thought and action for effectiveness and happiness.
Steps to follow when attempting such questions:
- Read the entire passage once to get the main idea.
- Read the sentence with the blank carefully.
- Consider each option provided.
- Substitute each option into the blank and read the sentence aloud or in your head.
- Evaluate if the resulting sentence makes sense in isolation and within the context of the surrounding sentences and the whole passage.
- Choose the word that fits best in meaning, grammar, and context.
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 (4) appropriately?
Which of the following fits the blank (5) appropriately?
Which of the following fits the blank (7) appropriately?
