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 101.
Answer: B. disapproving — Concept: In a contextual cloze test, the missing word must satisfy both local grammar and the relationship between clauses. A contrast marker such as ‘while’…
- A.
celebratory
- B.
disapproving
- C.
elated
- D.
More than one of the above
- E.
None of the above
Attempted by 3 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Concept: In a contextual cloze test, the missing word must satisfy both local grammar and the relationship between clauses. A contrast marker such as ‘while’ often sets two opposing attitudes or tendencies against each other.
Application
The blank comes before the noun ‘attitude’, so it requires an adjective describing that attitude.
The later clause says that popular writings praise the virtues of fast food. Because ‘while’ introduces a contrast, the earlier attitude must express criticism or lack of approval.
‘Disapproving’ has exactly that negative evaluative meaning, so the phrase becomes ‘a certain disapproving attitude’.
Contrast
‘Celebratory’ expresses praise or approval, so it follows the same positive direction as praising virtues rather than forming the required contrast.
‘Elated’ describes intense personal happiness and is not the natural evaluative tone intended by ‘attitude’ here.
Only one offered word satisfies the grammatical and contrast clues, so the two set-referential choices do not apply.
Cross-check
Substituting the word gives ‘While a certain disapproving attitude can be detected …, the popular writings … praise the virtues of fast food.’ The two clauses now form a coherent contrast. Therefore, the missing word is ‘disapproving’.