English Language

Fill in the Blanks

13,781 Questions
All Contextual Vocabulary 2563 Prepositional Usage 2021 Tense and Aspect 1751 Determiners 1005 Phrasal Verbs 949 Confusable Vocabulary 908 Pronoun Antecedent 867 Subject-Verb Agreement 735 Collocations 654 Idiomatic Expressions 627 Conjunctions and Connectors 557 Modals 390

Fill in the Blanks Questions

Multiple choice

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (i).

Directions: Choose the most appropriate word/verb phrase from the options given below to complete the given paragraph.

Knowledge is great wealth. It can neither be stolen (i) ________ thieves nor snatched away  forcibly by robbers. A person (ii) _________ acquires knowledge wins great respect and is held (iii) _________ high esteem. It (iv) _________ decrease on being spent. Rather, it increases day by day. Only one has to work hard (v) __________ knowledge. During studentship there is no other worry than to study. One will never get an opportunity again and then there will be (vi) __________ to do but repent.

  1. of

  2. by

  3. with

  4. from
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The sentence says 'It can neither be stolen (i) ________ thieves'. Passive voice 'stolen by' is the correct construction - thieves are the agents performing the stealing. 'Of' would indicate possession, 'with' would indicate accompaniment, 'from' would indicate origin. Passive voice requires 'by' to show the actor.

Multiple choice

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (v).

Directions: Choose the most appropriate word/verb phrase from the options given below to complete the given paragraph.

Knowledge is great wealth. It can neither be stolen (i) ________ thieves nor snatched away  forcibly by robbers. A person (ii) _________ acquires knowledge wins great respect and is held (iii) _________ high esteem. It (iv) _________ decrease on being spent. Rather, it increases day by day. Only one has to work hard (v) __________ knowledge. During studentship there is no other worry than to study. One will never get an opportunity again and then there will be (vi) __________ to do but repent.

  1. to gain

  2. for gaining

  3. to the gaining of

  4. and gained
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The sentence states 'Only one has to work hard (v) __________ knowledge' - showing purpose. 'To gain' (infinitive of purpose) correctly expresses why one must work hard. 'For gaining' uses gerund which is less idiomatic here. 'To the gaining of' is wordy and awkward. 'And gained' doesn't express purpose clearly.

Multiple choice

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (iv).

Directions: Choose the most appropriate word/verb phrase from the options given below to complete the given paragraph.

Knowledge is great wealth. It can neither be stolen (i) ________ thieves nor snatched away  forcibly by robbers. A person (ii) _________ acquires knowledge wins great respect and is held (iii) _________ high esteem. It (iv) _________ decrease on being spent. Rather, it increases day by day. Only one has to work hard (v) __________ knowledge. During studentship there is no other worry than to study. One will never get an opportunity again and then there will be (vi) __________ to do but repent.

  1. do not

  2. does not

  3. did not

  4. is not
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The sentence says 'It (iv) _________ decrease on being spent. Rather, it increases day by day.' 'It' refers to 'knowledge' (singular, not a person). 'Does not decrease' uses auxiliary 'does' for singular neuter subject. 'Do not' is for plural subjects or 'I', 'did not' is past tense, 'is not' doesn't fit with decrease (base form required after auxiliary).

Multiple choice

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (iii).

Directions: Choose the most appropriate word/verb phrase from the options given below to complete the given paragraph.

Knowledge is great wealth. It can neither be stolen (i) ________ thieves nor snatched away  forcibly by robbers. A person (ii) _________ acquires knowledge wins great respect and is held (iii) _________ high esteem. It (iv) _________ decrease on being spent. Rather, it increases day by day. Only one has to work hard (v) __________ knowledge. During studentship there is no other worry than to study. One will never get an opportunity again and then there will be (vi) __________ to do but repent.

  1. at

  2. in

  3. with

  4. for
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase is 'held (iii) _________ high esteem'. The fixed expression is 'held in high esteem' - meaning greatly respected. 'In' is the correct preposition for this idiom. 'At' would indicate location, 'with' would indicate accompaniment, 'for' would indicate purpose - none fit this fixed expression.

Multiple choice

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (ii).

Directions: Choose the most appropriate word/verb phrase from the options given below to complete the given paragraph.

Knowledge is great wealth. It can neither be stolen (i) ________ thieves nor snatched away  forcibly by robbers. A person (ii) _________ acquires knowledge wins great respect and is held (iii) _________ high esteem. It (iv) _________ decrease on being spent. Rather, it increases day by day. Only one has to work hard (v) __________ knowledge. During studentship there is no other worry than to study. One will never get an opportunity again and then there will be (vi) __________ to do but repent.

  1. who

  2. which

  3. whose

  4. by whom
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The clause is 'A person (ii) _________ acquires knowledge'. This modifies 'person' (a human being). 'Who' is the correct relative pronoun for people. 'Which' is for things/animals, 'whose' shows possession, 'by whom' is passive voice agent. Relative clause defining a person requires 'who'.

Multiple choice

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (vi).

Directions: Choose the most appropriate word/verb phrase from the options given below to complete the given paragraph.

Knowledge is great wealth. It can neither be stolen (i) ________ thieves nor snatched away  forcibly by robbers. A person (ii) _________ acquires knowledge wins great respect and is held (iii) _________ high esteem. It (iv) _________ decrease on being spent. Rather, it increases day by day. Only one has to work hard (v) __________ knowledge. During studentship there is no other worry than to study. One will never get an opportunity again and then there will be (vi) __________ to do but repent.

  1. everything

  2. nothing

  3. something

  4. none
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The context shows the paragraph is discussing the importance of studying during studentship. The last sentence states that after this period ends, there will be nothing left to do except regret the missed opportunity. The phrase 'nothing to do but repent' is a common English expression meaning complete helplessness or lack of options.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence below has one or two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Beneath the sentence are five words or sets of words labeled (1) through (5). Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

The author has faithfully recorded the _________ role of the nationalist press in __________ the message of the October Revolution.

  1. demonstrative, suppressing

  2. rabid, propagating

  3. glorious, disseminating

  4. vicious, scandalizing

  5. unblemished, promulgating
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

'Faithful' is the key word here. It connotes something positive. And both words of (3) option go with it.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence below has one or two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Beneath the sentence are five words or sets of words labeled (1) through (5). Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

I walked on thinking about his earthy philosophy delivered in the _________setting of Mumbai's most ______ avenue.

  1. baneful, detached

  2. incongruous, bustling

  3. detrimental, dedicated

  4. motley, varied

  5. abnormal, normal
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

No other word except 'incongruous' fits well with setting. So, the answer is (2).

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence below has one or two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Beneath the sentence are five words or sets of words labeled (1) through (5). Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

The retreating Japanese were fighting _______ and doggedly pursuing _______ like us.

  1. desperately, fugitives

  2. bravely, pedigree

  3. perfectly, enemy

  4. convincingly, cronies

  5. half-heartedly, clam
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The first blank should be filled in accordance with 'doggedly'. So, the best possible answer is (1).

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence below has one or two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Beneath the sentence are five words or sets of words labeled (1) through (5). Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

Water is _________ and even the hardiest plant ________ and dies in Kalahari Desert.

  1. slaked, flares

  2. piquant, shatters

  3. scarce, shrivels

  4. profuse, obscures

  5. unwholesome, burgeons
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In the Kalahari Desert context, water is scarce, and even the hardiest plant shrivels and dies from lack of moisture. The word 'shrivels' means to dry up and wrinkle, which perfectly describes what happens to plants in extreme drought conditions.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence below has one or two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Beneath the sentence are five words or sets of words labeled (1) through (5). Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

Readers stood in _____ silence before the wall, their eyes ______ to the words.

  1. engrossed, fixed

  2. rapt, riveted

  3. sympathetic, moving

  4. cautious, looking
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Use of the 'eyes …to the words' shows that the readers are mesmerized reading. So, the best possible answer is (2).

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence below has one or two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Beneath the sentence are five words or sets of words labeled (1) through (5). Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

_________ on the lonely island after the storm damaged their yacht, they had to devise ways to ______ their food and fresh water stock, until help came.

  1. Trapped, install

  2. Marooned, conserve

  3. Abandoned, estimate

  4. Sucked, obviate

  5. Holed up, disseminate
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

It is clear from the sentence that because of the broken yacht, people have been left alone on an island. The second part of the sentence deals with 'stock'. And they have to preserve the stock. So, the answer is (2).

Multiple choice

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (iii).

Directions: Choose the most appropriate options to complete the dialogue given below.

Rajesh:   Hello! Rahul, what are you doing in the evening today?
Rahul:     I (i) __________ play football with my friends.
Rajesh:   May I also (ii) ________?
Rahul:     Of course! Welcome.
Rajesh:   When should I (iii) __________ the playground?
Rahul:     You may come at 4 PM.

  1. reaching

  2. reached

  3. reach

  4. be reaching
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The modal verb 'should' is always followed by the base form of the main verb. In the question 'When should I (iii) __________ the playground?', the base form of 'reach' is required. 'Reach' is the correct answer as it's the bare infinitive form that follows 'should'.

Multiple choice

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (ii).

Directions: Choose the most appropriate options to complete the dialogue given below.

Rajesh:   Hello! Rahul, what are you doing in the evening today?
Rahul:     I (i) __________ play football with my friends.
Rajesh:   May I also (ii) ________?
Rahul:     Of course! Welcome.
Rajesh:   When should I (iii) __________ the playground?
Rahul:     You may come at 4 PM.

  1. joined

  2. join

  3. be joining

  4. have joined
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase 'May I also (ii) ________?' uses the modal verb 'may' to request permission. Modal verbs are always followed by the base form of the main verb without 'to'. 'Join' is the correct base form, while 'joined' is past tense, 'be joining' is continuous, and 'have joined' is perfect tense - none of which fit grammatically after 'may'.

Multiple choice

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (iii).

Directions: Choose the most appropriate word/verb phrase from the options given below to complete the given paragraph.

Honesty (i) __________ truthfulness in word and deed. (ii) ________ honest man always says what he really (iii) ________. He hates (iv) ________ a lie. He always means what he says. He is frank. If he likes or dislikes anything, he says so plainly. He prefers to be put to (v) ________ rather than say what he believes to be (vi) ________. He is true to his word. He never backs out of his promise.

  1. is thinking

  2. thought

  3. thinks

  4. will think
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The sentence 'An honest man always says what he really (iii) ________' requires a verb that agrees with the subject 'he' (referring to 'an honest man'). This is present tense, third person singular, so 'thinks' is grammatically correct. 'Is thinking' is continuous, 'thought' is past tense, and 'will think' is future tense - none of which fit the context of a general statement about honest people.