Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

What is it about one place that will bring 40 or 50 feet of water rising about its shores, while at another place, lying under the same moon and sun, the tide will rise a ________inch/ inches?

The operative word in this sentence is ‘while’, which highlights two contrasting situations. The word that replaces the blank should be opposite to 40 or 50 feet (high). “Few” and “meager” both fits our prediction. But “meager” is usually used to denote poor quality or small amount, inadequate, it will not be coherent if we use it with inches. Hence, (3) is the answer.