In the following questions, fill the blank space. Rock found at the bottom of…
2024
In the following questions, fill the blank space.
Rock found at the bottom of the Grand Canyon is ______ 2 billion years old.
- A.
below
- B.
around
- C.
under
- D.
about
Attempted by 28 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation:
The best word for the blank is "around" because it expresses an approximate age.
Why 'around' fits: It is used to indicate approximation (e.g., around 2 billion years), which matches the intended meaning.
Why 'about' is similar: 'About' is a close synonym of 'around' and would also be acceptable in natural English to show an estimate.
Why 'below' and 'under' are not appropriate here: 'Below' describes physical position, not an age estimate. 'Under' suggests a strict upper limit (less than 2 billion years) rather than an approximate value.
Examples:
Correct/expected: Rock found at the bottom of the Grand Canyon is around 2 billion years old.
Acceptable alternative: Rock found at the bottom of the Grand Canyon is about 2 billion years old.
Less appropriate: Rock found at the bottom of the Grand Canyon is under 2 billion years old. (This changes the meaning to 'less than' rather than an approximation.)