Blank (ii)

Directions: Choose the most appropriate word to fill the numbered blank.

Books are a wonderful blessing. When the clouds of sorrow and misery darken the horizon of our life, like a (i) __________ friend, they comfort and console us with sweet words. When our friends and kith and kin desert us owing (ii) __________ our misfortunes, they do not leave us in the lurch. They encourage us and (iii) __________ us to get over difficulties with courage and perseverance. They are the essence of man’s wisdom and experience extending (iv) __________ thousands of years and are his (v) __________ valuable inheritance. It (vi) __________ true that all books are not equally good. Some books should better be avoided. Books should (vii) __________ judiciously and (viii) __________ selected.