Directions: In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the…
2022
Directions: In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank. One day, a few hunters came into the forest and took the lion with them. They tied him up (1) ______ a tree. The lion was (2) ______ to get away and started to whimper. (3) ______, a mouse walked past and noticed the lion in trouble. He quickly ran and (4) ______ on the ropes to set the lion free. Both of them then (5) ______ into the jungle.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 1
Answer: C. against — ConceptA preposition expresses the relationship between a noun and another part of a sentence. For spatial relationships, the intended position or contact…
- A.
over
- B.
along
- C.
against
- D.
above
Attempted by 1 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept
A preposition expresses the relationship between a noun and another part of a sentence. For spatial relationships, the intended position or contact determines the suitable preposition.
When a person or object is fastened beside and touching a supporting surface, against expresses that contact; over and above express higher position, while along expresses direction or extension.
Application
The hunters fastened the lion so that he was beside and touching the tree. The phrase “against a tree” expresses this contact, giving the completed clause “They tied him up against a tree.”
Contrast
Over describes a higher position or movement across something.
Along describes position or movement following the length of something.
Above describes a position at a higher level than something.
Cross-check
Substituting against produces the natural spatial meaning required by the passage: the lion is secured in contact with the tree. Therefore, the word for blank 1 is against.