Fill in the blanks is a relatively easy section. In this section the candidate is supposed to know the meaning of the word in order to use it properly. One or two words are omitted from the sentence. Options are given below and the candidate has to choose from the five options the word or pair of words. When it is inserted into the blanks it should give a complete meaning to the sentence in such a way that it is clear logically, literally and grammatically. In terms of words that are to be filled, the candidate is expected to have knowledge in the following areas:
1. Preposition based- this is an important aspect- as in our earlier session we have studied in detail about the usage of prepositions, recollect them and place the right word by memorizing the tips we have studied earlier.
Ex: We met ____ the park.
1) in 2) at 3) on
4) to 5) from
The correct option is 'at', the answer is 2)
2. Article based- correct use of article (a/an/the) is another prominent area based on which the blanks may be given.
Ex: She is ____ most intelligent of all the candidates in the class.
1) A 2) an 3) the
4) or 5) no article
The definite article 'the' should be used here; article is used before the adjective in the superlative degree of comparison. The answer is 3)
3. Phrase/ idiom based- to have an understanding of the phrase/idiom that is given is the first task and the next task is to see that out of the five options given which option best fits aptly in the given blank/blanks to make a complete sense.
Ex: He is so obstinate that he will never ____ to our views.
1) Come down 2) come around
3) come about 4) come back
5) come over
The correct option is 'come around'. The answer is 2)
Broadly there are two types of fill in the blank questions, they are:
1. Single blank questions- Only one blank is given and you have to choose the word or phrase to be filled in the given blank to complete the sentence.
Sentence below has a blank; a blank indicates that some thing has been omitted. There are five answer options given choose the word that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
Ex: The girl who has joined our office last month dresses up in a very ____ manner.
1) Meretricious 2) Tyrranic
3) Enthusiastic 4) Hodge - podge
5) Fear
Answer - (a) The most suitable answer option is 'Meretricious' which means 'bold'. Rest of the options does not fit in the context of dressing style or manner.
2. Double blank questions- Two blanks are given, these are easier to answer as you can use elimination technique- as soon as you answer one blank you can eliminate a few answer choices which makes the selection easier.
Like any another section, to answer the questions from this section with ease, the candidate is expected to enhance their reading skills. Inculcate a general reading habit which is very useful. This helps in identifying the word/ words that are most appropriate to the sentence. Basic knowledge of grammar is however essential. Let us see a few tips to answer this section:
1. Understand the context of the given sentence, as words can be easily placed if you understand the context.
2. Identify whether the sentence is positive or negative in nature. This helps in eliminating some of the answer choices.
3. Identify the key words in the sentence, which acts as a clue in order to place the missing word/words.
4. Look for the correct parts of speech.
5. Options that do not fit in from the point of view of tenses/ gender/ usage etc. may be eliminated.
Directions (Q. 1-30): Each question below has a blank/ two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Choose the word/ set of words from the five options for each blank that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
1. All of us lost confidence in our leader because he never ____ the grandiose promises he made.
1) Delivered on 2) Tired of
3) Forgot about 4) Shied away from
5) Discussed
2. The distinctive qualities of this team of players were appreciated or even ____ by the Board until fairly recently.
1) Explored 2) Ignored 3) Praised
4) Recognized 5) Lauded
3. The mind of a bigot is like the pupil of the eye: the more light you pour upon it, the more it will ____.
1) See 2) Reflect 3) Contract
4) Blink 5) Redden
4. The enemy fired from behind the barracks, tanks, and any other ____ point they could find.
1) Clear 2) Easy 3) Clandestine
4) Vantage 5) Exposed
5. The ____ of the evidence was on the side of the accused, since all but one witness testified that his story was correct.
1) Accuracy 2) Brunt 3) Propensity
4) Preponderance 5) Paucity
6. As Ganesh could not contain his scorn for his boss, he was impudent enough to make ____ remarks about his superior officer.
1) Old-fashioned 2) Unfathomable
3) Ambiguous 4) Unclear
5) Scathing
7. If he is seeking ____ that will resolve all his ailments, then he is after a mirage.
1) A Direction 2) An idea
3) A panacea 4) A support
5) A precedent
8. She stated that she has no ____ motive in offering this advice; she seeks no personal advantage or honour.
1) Disinterested 2) Ulterior
3) Nominal 4) Altruistic
5) Incongruous
9. Some students are ____ and want to take only the courses for which they see immediate value.
1) Honest 2) Sincere 3) Pragmatic
4) Opinionated 5) Knowledgeable
10. Malathi is my close friend and confidante; I will not ____ anything from her.
1) keep out 2) keep back 3) keep up
4) keep down 5) keep away
11. There were ____ children in the class than expected.
1) lesser 2) fewer 3) less
4) little 5) small
12. He is young, intelligent and ____ .
1) charisma 2) appeal 3) friend
4) love 5) charming
13. Members are requested to ____ their subscriptions in time.
1) renewed 2) renew 3) renewal
4) renovate 5) reinvent
14. The dinner given by our colony association yesterday was not ____ arranged.
1) properly 2) property 3) prompt
4) impromptu 5) improper
15. Only you and ____ can do this work fast.
1) him 2) his 3) mine
4) he 5) her
16. A ____ worker is always admired by his employers.
1) careless 2) respect
3) conscientious 4) insincere
5) obedient
17. Man has to ____ many hardships in life.
1) barely 2) over come 3) phase
4) solution 5) encounter
18. He did not succeed in his ____.
1) Endeavour 2) plain 3) tricky
4) effect 5) entrepreneur
19. The leader's ____ attracted many ____ .
1) charisma… followers
2) appeal … disciple
3) can dour … student
4) magnetic appeal … power
5) humility … men
20. He____ a lot of money to the Hudhud ____ .
1) confessed…pilgrims
2) demanded.. accomplice
3) dared…people
4) contributed… victims
5) made… massacre
21. There was a ____ conversation ____ two actors in the play of "Nigama Sarma".
1) heated…among 2) debate… from
3) good… between 4) wonder… for
5) surprise… amidst
22. The teacher gave ____ punishment to the ___ students which is severely considered.
1) corporate… bright
2) corporeal… trouble makers
3) corporal… impish
4) communal… dark
5) group… intense
23. ____ from one language to the other ____ may spoil the beauty of the original work.
1) transmute… dialect
2) translation… language
3) transmit… speech 4) translate… words
5) transform… dialogue
24. The actors were ____ costly ____.
1) making… dresses
2) putting… material
3) wearing… costumes
4) building… fabric 5) trying… stuff
25. I am a ____ of ____ products.
1) retailer… diary
2) wholesaler… much
3) trader… texture
4) consumer… dairy
5) distributor… buyer
26. Our____happiness depends upon our___.
1) true… levels 2) reason… exams
3) many… results 4) real… contentment
5) factual… satisfaction
27. In spite of the fact that he is my best friend, he is ____ to me.
1) completely contrary
2) partially like 3) totally like
4) half unlike 5) much like
28. Harish has ____ sense of words. Therefore, the sentence he constructs is always ____ with rich meaning.
1) profound… pregnant
2) distinguished… loaded
3) terrific… tempted
4) meaningful … full
5) outstanding…consistently
29. He was an ____ musician, had been awarded the Grammy and ____ with the title King of Pop.
1) outstanding… popularise
2) underestimate… declared
3) accomplished … honoured
4) impressive … assigned
5) obdurate… proclaimed
30. Whether it be shallow or not, commitment is the ____ the bedrock of any ____ loving relationship.
1) expression… perfunctory
2) foundation… genuinely
3) manifestation… deep
4) key… alarmingly 5) basis… absorbing
ANSWERS:
1) 1; 2) 4; 3) 3; 4) 4; 5) 4;
6) 5; 7) 3; 8) 2; 9) 3; 10) 2;
11) 2; 12) 5; 13) 2; 14) 1; 15) 4;
16) 2; 17) 5; 18) 1; 19) 1; 20) 4;
21) 3; 22) 3; 23) 2; 24) 3; 25) 4;
26) 4; 27) 1; 28) 1; 29) 3; 30) 3.
K. LALITHA BAI
Associate Professor,
English, Hyderabad.
