In the sentence below, the word “whole” is highlighted. Identify the sentence…
2025
In the sentence below, the word “whole” is highlighted. Identify the sentence or sentences in which “whole” has the same meaning as it has in the given sentence.
He ate the whole cake by himself.
(A) The whole matter was discussed in the meeting.
(B) She is missed terribly, and her death has left a whole in all our lives.
(C) The whole class was present during the lecture.
Answer: B. Both A and C — ConceptContext and grammatical role determine a word’s meaning. As an adjective, “whole” means “entire” or “complete” and normally modifies a noun. The noun…
- A.
Only B
- B.
Both A and C
- C.
Only C
- D.
Only A
- E.
All A,B,C
Attempted by 15 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Concept
Context and grammatical role determine a word’s meaning. As an adjective, “whole” means “entire” or “complete” and normally modifies a noun. The noun “hole,” although it sounds the same, means an empty space or gap.
Application
In “the whole cake,” “whole” modifies “cake” and means the entire cake.
In sentence A, “whole” modifies “matter” and means the entire matter.
In sentence B, the frame “left a ___ in our lives” requires the noun “hole,” meaning a gap or emptiness. The spelling “whole” is an error there, so it does not carry the adjective sense.
In sentence C, “whole” modifies “class” and means the entire class.
Contrast
“Only B” selects the gap construction rather than an adjective use.
“Only C” omits the parallel adjective phrase “whole matter.”
“Only A” omits the parallel adjective phrase “whole class.”
“All A, B and C” includes the sentence that requires the noun “hole.”
Result
Sentences A and C use “whole” in the sense of “entire.” Therefore, the answer is “Both A and C.”