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

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

Although there were ______circumstances in this particular violation of the law, the judge ruled that there had to be strict _______ or there would be no law at all.

  1. extraordinary …… complaisance

  2. specific …… obedience

  3. questionable …… observation

  4. extenuating …… compliance

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

First blank should be filled in by the word denoting some extreme situation, therefore 'extraordinary' and 'extenuating' both fits the prediction. Let's look at it's pair word. Of 'complaisance'(willingness to please; disposition to be obliging and agreeable) and 'compliance', 'compliance' is in tandem with law and gives a cogent meaning to the sentence. Hence, (4) is the answer.

Multiple choice

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

Because he was generally ________ on the football field, he was genuinely touched by the amount of praise he received for his game - winning touchdown.

  1. indelible

  2. methodical

  3. succinct

  4. unheralded

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The clue word in this sentence is “because”. 'Unheralded' means unappreciated or unnoticed. Clearly Jim was not the star of this team and was not used to receiving accolades. Hence, (4) is the answer.

Multiple choice

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

In a large group of people, she often seemed ________ and aloof, although among her friends and family she was quite ________.

  1. reticent ….. convivial

  2. gregarious ….. simpatico

  3. insidious ….. multifarious

  4. intriguing ….. enticing
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

“Although” tells us that this is a contrasting sentence, so the description of Irina in a large group of people in the first part of the sentence should be different from how she acts when she is with her friends and family. Moreover, the word for first blank should be similar in meaning to aloof, thus “reticent” (habitually silent or uncommunicative) replaces the first blank. “Convivial” (companionable, sociable) is in contrast to reticent, thus fits our prediction for second blank. Hence, (1) is the answer.

Multiple choice

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

Although the warring parties had settled a number of disputes, past experience made them ________ to express optimism that the talks would be a success.

  1. impetuous

  2. ambivalent

  3. scornful

  4. reticent
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

'Although' sets up a contrast between what has occurred 'success on some issue' and what can be expected to occur 'success for the whole talks'. Hence, the parties are reluctant to express optimism. The simple and common word “reluctant” is not offered as an answer choice, but a synonym 'reticent' is. Hence, (4) is the answer.

Multiple choice

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

________ by electoral wins, conservative Christians are pushing ahead state and local initiative on controversial issues.

  1. Pestiferous

  2. Energized

  3. Frenetic

  4. Stagnant

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The clause after the comma provides an explanation to what precedes it. “Pushing ahead” gives another clue that conservative Christians are working on something, which implies that they are energized by the elections. Hence, (2) is the answer.

Multiple choice

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

Changes to prevailing notions about the citizenship rights of blacks, ________ with a redefinition of the role of the government and courts in protecting these rights, continue to ________ the human rights of all Americans, regardless of their skin color.

  1. dealing ….. entrench

  2. coupled ….. bolster

  3. accompanied ….. exonerate

  4. apportioned ….. stanchion

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

'These rights' in second clause is a reference to the 'citizenship rights of blacks' in the first clause, thereby giving clue for the first blank. As the second clause is in continuation with the first clause and provides support to the first clause, therefore 'apportioned' (to divide and distribute in shares according to plan) in (4) and 'sundered' (separate) in (5) can be ruled out. Now, let's examine the pair words of (1), (2) and (3) for the correct answer. 'Entrench' in (1) means to encroach or infringe, which makes no sense, hence is ruled out. 'Exonerate' in (3) means to relieve of (a burden, obligation); unload. The concept of 'citizenship rights of blacks' would not exonerate Americans of their human rights, instead they would 'bolster' them up. Hence, (2) is the answer.

Multiple choice

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

Marconi's invention, “wireless telegraphy”, was a means of Morse code through the air, and though it was an ________ breakthrough, the next step of transmitting the human voice without wires wouldn't have been accomplished without the ________ of Steinmetz and his brilliant associates.

  1. unqualified ….. ingenuity

  2. absolute ….. artifice

  3. effectual ….. ineptitude

  4. efficacious ….. heavy handedness

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

“Breakthrough” must be lacking the necessary or desirable qualifications as is indicated by the word “though” in first part of the sentence. Thus, “unqualified” replaces the first blank. Also, 'ingenuity' gives sense to latter part of the sentence. Hence, (1) is the answer.