Analyzing the Passage for Word Choice

The question asks us to find the most suitable word for blank (7) in the given passage. The passage discusses the relationship between thought and action, contrasting deliberate actions with automatic responses.

Let's look closely at the sentence containing blank (7):

"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."

This sentence describes an immediate, unthinking reaction to a physical threat (a brick being thrown). The action involves a part of the body (likely a hand or arm) moving up in front of the person.

Evaluating Options for Blank (7): Protect, Stimulate, Rescue

We need to determine the purpose of raising the hand in this automatic reaction. The options provided for blank (7) are 'stimulate', 'rescue', and 'protect'. Let's analyze each option:

1. Stimulate: This word means to encourage interest or activity. Raising a hand to block a brick is not about encouraging interest or activity. It's a defensive move. So, 'stimulate' does not fit the context.
2. Rescue: This word means to save someone from a dangerous or difficult situation. While being hit by a brick is a dangerous situation, 'rescue' often implies saving someone else or a more involved process of saving. Protecting oneself is a more direct and accurate description of the immediate action of blocking a physical object aimed at oneself.
3. Protect: This word means to keep someone or something safe from harm or injury. Raising a hand to block a thrown brick is a clear action taken to prevent oneself from being harmed or injured by the brick. This aligns perfectly with the purpose of the automatic reaction described.

Determining the Best Fit for Blank (7)

Based on the analysis of the options and the context of the sentence, the action of raising a hand or arm in front of oneself when a brick is thrown is intended to keep oneself safe from harm. The word that best describes this purpose is 'protect'. The phrase "to protect myself" makes logical sense in describing the goal of this automatic defense mechanism.

Therefore, 'protect' is the most appropriate word to fill in blank (7).

Revision Table: Key Blank and Analysis

Additional Information: Automatic vs. Deliberate Actions

The passage highlights the difference between actions that are the result of deliberate thought and those that are automatic or impulsive. Understanding this distinction helps in analyzing the word choices.

• Deliberate Actions: These are actions that are carefully considered and planned. They require thought and decision-making. The passage suggests that thought should precede action where possible ("Action without thought is folly").
• Automatic Actions: These are reactions that happen quickly and without conscious thought, often in response to a stimulus. The example given (raising a hand to block a brick) is a reflex action, designed for immediate protection. The passage notes that our daily lives are filled with such automatic responses.

The sentence with blank (7) specifically identifies the action as "an automatic, ____ action and not a result of deliberate thought." This further supports that the word for (7) should reflect the immediate, protective nature of this reflex action.