Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank. ________ being…
2023
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
________ being hungry, she couldn't eat the food served in that restaurant.
- A.
Whether
- B.
In case
- C.
Because
- D.
In spite of
Attempted by 23 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Correct sentence: In spite of being hungry, she couldn't eat the food served in that restaurant.
Why "In spite of" is correct: "In spite of" expresses contrast (meaning "despite"). The sentence contrasts the fact that she was hungry with the unexpected result that she could not eat. It is correctly followed by the gerund phrase "being hungry."
Why "Because" is wrong: "Because" gives a reason (cause). Using it here would say she couldn't eat due to hunger, which contradicts the intended meaning of unexpected inability to eat despite hunger. Also, "because" typically requires a clause (e.g., "because she was hungry").
Why "In case" is wrong: "In case" denotes a condition or precaution (e.g., "take this in case it rains"). It does not convey contrast and does not fit the intended meaning or the gerund structure used here.
Why "Whether" is wrong: "Whether" introduces alternatives or indirect questions and does not express contrast or pair naturally with the gerund phrase "being hungry."
Grammar tip: "In spite of" should be followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (for example, "in spite of the rain" or "in spite of being tired").