In the following passage, there are blanks each of which has been numbered.…
2024
In the following passage, there are blanks each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each five words have been suggested, one of which fills the blanks appropriately.
Recently the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) released separate reports on poverty. The World Bank (___1___) its benchmark of extreme poverty by 25 cents from $ 1 per person per day to $1.25 per person a day. The ADB announced an even (___2___) benchmark of $1.35 per person a day. These new benchmarks are based on surveys in the world’s poorest countries. Experts often like to claim that poverty has declined because of economic growth in India and China. This is wrong and (___3___). In the past twenty – five years the poverty rate in India has (___4___) by less than one – percentage point a year. Whether we use a poverty line of $1 per person per day or $1.25 per person per day makes little difference. The number of poor in India is large. The purpose of these statistics is not to dispute them but to (___5___) whether the benefits of economic growth are being shared with the poor.
Find out the appropriate word in 5th case.
- A.
acknowledge
- B.
suggest
- C.
actuate
- D.
inspire
- E.
study
Attempted by 1 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: E
Concept: In a meaning-based cloze test, the blank is not filled by any word that seems like a rough synonym — it must be the word whose sense AND typical collocation (the words it naturally pairs with, such as a following 'whether' clause) fit the sentence's exact logic.
Application: The sentence contrasts two possible purposes of the poverty statistics: “not to dispute them but to ___ whether the benefits of economic growth are being shared with the poor.” The missing verb must combine naturally with a following 'whether' clause and carry the sense of investigating an open question, not confirming a settled one. 'Study' means to examine something closely in order to find out about it, and it regularly takes a following 'whether' clause in exactly this investigative sense — matching the sentence perfectly.
Contrast: The other words fail on sense or usage:
'Acknowledge' means to accept or admit that something already known is true; it does not fit a sentence about finding out an unresolved question.
'Suggest' means to put an idea forward for consideration; it does not naturally combine with a following 'whether' clause in this investigative sense.
'Actuate' means to make a machine or mechanism start operating; that physical/mechanical sense has nothing to do with examining an abstract statistical question.
'Inspire' means to fill someone with a creative urge or motivation to act; it has no connection to examining a statistical question.