Comprehension: In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read…
2024
Comprehension:
In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
From the beginning (1)_________ the eighteenth century, the ladies of European cities covered (2)_______ faces in layers of paint and powder. This particular fashion was largely brought (3) __________ by the urgent need to disguise the ravages of smallpox, (4)_________ left their faces pitted and scarred. During this same period, the ‘beauty spot’ was introduced to cover (5) __________ a facial defect.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3.
- A.
within
- B.
around
- C.
to
- D.
about
Attempted by 41 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
The correct answer is 'about' because the phrase 'brought about' is a standard English phrasal verb meaning to cause something to happen or to bring into existence. In the context of the passage, the fashion of covering faces was caused by the urgent need to disguise smallpox scars. The sentence structure requires a preposition that completes this specific idiomatic expression.\nOption A ('within') is incorrect because 'brought within' does not convey the meaning of causing an event. Option B ('around') is also incorrect as 'brought around' typically means to persuade someone or to visit a place, which does not fit the context of creating a fashion trend. Option C ('to') is incorrect because 'brought to' usually implies delivering something or regaining consciousness, neither of which fits the sentence. Therefore, only 'about' correctly completes the idiom to indicate that smallpox caused this particular fashion.