Each question has a sentence with two blanks followed by four pairs of words…
2023
Each question has a sentence with two blanks followed by four pairs of words as choices. From the choices, select the pair of words that can best complete the given sentence.
I went into a ________ became angry, depressed and ________.
- A.
depression, fretful
- B.
degradation, surly
- C.
tailspin, moody
- D.
dejection, dour
Attempted by 41 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Answer: tailspin, moody
Explanation: 'Went into a tailspin' is an idiomatic expression meaning to fall into a disturbed or chaotic emotional state, so it suits the first blank. 'Moody' fits the second blank and pairs naturally with 'angry' and 'depressed', producing a fluent sentence: 'I went into a tailspin, became angry, depressed and moody.'
Why the other pairs are less suitable:
depression, fretful — Although 'a depression' can be used, choosing 'depression' for the first blank repeats the idea of being 'depressed' later in the sentence and feels redundant. 'Fretful' means anxious/restless and is a weaker fit than 'moody' here.
degradation, surly — 'Degradation' denotes humiliation or decline and is not an internal emotional state one typically 'goes into'; it is therefore not idiomatic for the first blank. 'Surly' (bad-tempered) does not match the emotional progression as well as 'moody'.
dejection, dour — 'Dejection' correctly means sadness, but idiomatically one says 'went into dejection' (without 'a'), so using 'a' makes the phrasing awkward. 'Dour' (sullen) fits the mood but the article/idiom issue weakens this pair.
Conclusion: 'tailspin, moody' best completes the sentence for idiomaticity and natural flow.