Read the passage given below and complete it by selecting the right words from…
2023
Read the passage given below and complete it by selecting the right words from the choices given to match them to the numbered blanks.
While a certain 101 attitude can be detected in the 102 of fast food in the narratives of the established 103 , the popular writings which appear in cookbooks and dailies 104 the virtues of fast food. A quick 105 through some of the recipes published in ‘Metro Plus’ in The Hindu, a 106 Indian newspaper, will show the importance given to the time 107 to cook as well as the appliances which are 108 in cooking. On the cover of a popular ‘Readymade Paneer’, I have come across the 109 ‘no cooking required’. All that is required is heating the food in a microwave oven. This is probably the other end of the 110 of food writing in India where minimalism has become the buzzword. More importantly, their entry into the group of Indian English writers also signals a significant shift in the way we look at Indian writing in English.
Choose the word that best completes blank 104.
Answer: A. praise — ConceptIn a cloze test, the chosen word must satisfy both sentence grammar and contextual meaning. In the simple present, an ordinary lexical verb takes its…
- A.
praise
- B.
hate
- C.
flay
- D.
More than one of the above
- E.
None of the above
Attempted by 1 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Concept
In a cloze test, the chosen word must satisfy both sentence grammar and contextual meaning.
In the simple present, an ordinary lexical verb takes its base form with a plural subject; the surrounding contrast then reveals whether the writer expresses approval or criticism.
Application
Here, ‘the popular writings’ is a plural subject and ‘the virtues of fast food’ is the object. The earlier clause describes a critical attitude in established narratives, whereas the clause with the blank contrasts popular writing with that attitude. ‘Praise’ means to express approval or admiration, so ‘the popular writings … praise the virtues of fast food’ is grammatical and coherent.
Contrast
‘Hate’ expresses intense dislike, which conflicts with the approving reference to virtues.
‘Flay’ means to strip skin or, figuratively, to criticize severely, so it carries the opposite tone.
‘More than one of the above’ does not apply because only one listed word fits both grammar and meaning.
‘None of the above’ does not apply because ‘praise’ supplies a complete, coherent sentence.
Cross-check
Substituting ‘praise’ gives the simple-present plural-subject/base-verb construction and preserves the passage’s contrast.
Result
The word for blank 104 is ‘praise’.