CLOZE TEST (7) --PARAGRAPH - FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH WORDS OUT OF GIVEN OPTIONS

It is of utmost importance that while attempting the question of Cloze Test the most appropriate word out of the suggested options is selected. It can be possible only if the word is selected in conformity with the text of the paragraph. It is therefore essential to understand the subject matter of the given paragraph. Paragraphs generally are descriptive or analytical in nature. The author gives positive or negative aspects of the selected subject. Sometimes it is of a mixed nature also. So the blank spaces are to be filled in according to the tone of the author in that particular part of the paragraph. For this a complete reading of the paragraph is necessary before attempting the exercise. This gives an idea of the essence of the subject matter of the paragraph and the author's mood in writing it. The best method to select a correct option is to use the method of elimination and selection of words out of the options. The apt word is selected only if the candidate sticks to the context and 'selects and rejects' the given words. The idea runs throughout all the sentences of the  the paragraph. So  all the sentences in the paragraph are interconnected with each other. There is a need to understand the underlying idea contained in the sentences and selection of the words is to be made according to the tone of the paragraph.   If the tone of the sentence is positive, all the negative words in the options can be rejected out rightly. This shortens the field of choice. Still if there are some confusing or similar appearing words it is better to read the succeeding sentences carefully and make the choice. 

Vocabulary helps a lot in this process but equally  necessary is knowledge of grammar rules for making appropriate choice of words. However above all continuous practice makes the job easy and convenient. There are small tips of applying grammar rules that are of great help. 

First of all the structure of the given sentence should be understood i.e. all the parts of speech are in their proper places in the sentence. Further what part of speech is required to be filled in the blank space. Its number, gender, and tense etc should be understood. The tense used in the whole paragraph or a part of the paragraph also gives the idea of the word to be selected. The article or a preposition used with the blank space also gives a hint about the word. The corresponding part of the speech used in the remaining sentence also helps. For example number of a noun or pronoun gives the idea of the verb to be used in blank space. The preposition accompanying the verb in case of a phrasal verb also helps. A  preposition 'to' before the blank space shows that only first form of verb is to follow. So all verbs in other forms or other parts of speech can be rejected.    The presence of a noun or a verb before the blank space also gives a hint of an adjective or an adverb to be filled in the blank space.   


EXERCISES FOR PRACTICE


ONE 

Directions  (1 - 10 ) : 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 are suggested, one of which fits the blank  appropriately. find out the appropriate word in each case.

On a huge banyan tree on the bank of a lake there lived a number of birds in nests built by them on its branches. They lived there happily as the tree saved them from 1......................  heat of the sun and rain. Among them there also lived a beautiful peacock . He often used to dance under this tree when the sky was 2........................... with clouds. All the birds saw him dancing there and enjoyed themselves. In the lake there lived a crocodile with his wife. The crocodile often used to come to the bank of the lake and rested there. The crocodile and the peacock became good friends. Once the crocodile and his wife saw the peacock dancing there. Both of them were 3....................... on  seeing him. The wife of the crocodile was much impressed to see the peacock dancing. She told her husband that his friend was very handsome and she wanted to 4.................................... his flesh. She asked him to invite his friend to dinner at their house. Once his friend came there they would not allow him to go back and will have a good feast of his flesh. Next day the crocodile went to peacock and told him that his dance 5.......................  his wife very much and she wanted to host a dinner party in his honour. The peacock accepted his offer and 6.........................  to accompany him. The peacock 7.................................. himself on the back of the crocodile and both started for the house. On reaching in the middle of the lake the crocodile told the peacock that his wife loved him very much and wanted to consume his heart. The peacock saw the crocodile through his 8.............................  that they would kill him on reaching their house. He hit upon a plan. He told the crocodile that he had left his heart on the branch of the tree because he had not told him about this earlier. He requested him to return to the bank so that he could bring his heart from there. The crocodile 9...........................agreed to his proposal and took him to the bank. On reaching the bank the peacock jumped from his back and climbed up the tree. 10...............................on a branch of the tree, he shouted at the crocodile, "You Cheat ! Go back !I am not going to be taken away by your tricks again".

1.parched, burning, inferno,scorching,vehement.
2.refilled,overcast, engraved, bound, hovered.
3. astonished, honoured, delighted, commended, clamoured.
4.devour, afflict, grasp, douse, hobble. 
5.captivate, fascinated, enchant, attempted, flayed.
6.greeted, abide, proposed, joined, consented.
7.alighted, descended,mounted,attached, supported.
8.habit,trick, tactical, deceive, ployed. 
9.willing, rejoice, readily, fully, playfully. 
10.posed, rested, backed,Perched, raised.




SOLUTION WITH EXPLANATION

The paragraph is of descriptive nature. The author describes that there lived birds in their nests on the branches of  a tree on the bank of a lake. There was a peacock among them also. It danced when it was cloudy. There lived a crocodile with his wife in the lake. The crocodiles made a plan to kill the peacock and eat his flesh. But the peacock with the help of his wit saved himself. The author writing in the past tense has given a good description of the whole incident.

1.In the sentence containing first blank space the author describes in past tense about birds living on the tree and their living condition. The tree saves the birds form rain and heat of the sun. ‘The tree’ a noun is Subject, saved is verb and ‘them’, a pronoun is an object. ‘Heat’ is a noun and the word in the blank space describes this noun. Here an adjective suitable with ‘heat’ is required. ‘Vehement’, an adjective, meaning strong or fervent does not fit here. ’Parched’, an adjective, means dry or dehydrated, ‘Inferno’, a noun, means big uncontrolled fire, ‘Burning’ a gerund is also used as a noun,  meaning something under the effect of fire. All these words do not fit here. ‘Scorching’ an adjective means sweltering, raising temperature. This is the correct word.

2. The word in blank space is to describe ‘sky’ having effect of clouds on it. ‘Bound’ means something encircled or surrounded on all sides, ‘engraved’ means written on material like stone or metal, ‘hovered’ means to fly in the sky. ‘Refill’ means to fill something empty. All these words do not fit here according to the context. ‘Overcast’ meaning ‘covered with’ clouds. It is the correct word to be used here.


3. ‘Felt’ is a verb and to describe it an adverb is required in the blank space. ‘Astonish’ means to surprise, ‘honour’ means to show respect, ‘commend’ means to praise, ‘clamour’ means to shout or make noise. Birds on seeing the peacock dancing do not astonish or honour, or commend or clamour. All these words do not fit here. ‘Delight’ meaning to be happy is the most suitable word.


4. After preposition ‘to’ first form of a verb is used. All the words given as options are verbs in first form. ‘Afflict’ means to cause pain, ‘grasp’ means to understand or to hold. ‘Douse’ means to extinguish, ‘hobble’ means to stumble or to stagger, ‘devour’ means to gulp or gobble. All the words except ‘devour’ do not fit here. ‘Devour’ is the correct word.


5.‘His dance’ is subject and ‘his wife’ is object, a verb is required in the blank space to complete this part of the sentence. As the paragraph is written in the past tense, here too verb in past tense is required. ‘Captivate’ and ‘enchant’ mean ‘to attract’ but these both are in present tense. ‘Flayed’ means ‘criticised’, ‘attempted’ means ‘tried’, both these words do not fit here according to the context. ‘fascinated’, verb in past tense means attracted. This words fits here.

6. Here ‘consented’ is a verb in past tense, ‘and’ is a conjunction and after this conjunction a verb in past tense is required in the blank space. The sentence tells that the peacock agreed to his proposal and he further expresses his concurrence. ‘Greet’ means ‘to welcome’, abide, a verb in present tense, means ‘to agree’, ‘proposed’ means ‘to offer’. ‘Joined’ means ‘to unite’ or ‘to merge’. All these words do not fit here according to the context. ‘Consented’ a verb in past tense meaning ‘agreed’ is the appropriate word here.

7. ‘The peacock’ is subject and ‘himself’ is object and a verb is required to complete it. ‘Alighted’ means ‘to descend’, ‘descended’ means ‘to come down’, ‘attached’ means ‘to tie with’. All these words do not fit here. ‘Mounted’ means ‘to ride’ is the appropriate word.

8. The peacock is subject, ‘saw through’ is a phrase meaning to come to know about someone’s act of mischief or deceit, In the blank space some word, a noun, with negative tone is required. ‘Deceive’ is a verb in present tense, ‘Ployed’ is a verb in past tense, ‘tactical’ is an adjective or an adverb. All these words do not fit here. ‘Habit’ and ‘Trick’ are nouns but habit is a positive verb whereas ‘trick’ is a negative word. So ‘trick’ is the correct word here.

9. ‘The crocodile’ is subject, ‘agreed to’ a phrasal verb and ‘his proposal’ is object. In the blank space an adverb describing the verb ‘agreed’ is required. ‘Willing’ is a gerund and noun, rejoice is a verb, ‘fully’ ‘playfully’ and readily are adverbs. ‘Playfully’ does not fit with verb ‘agreed’. Out of ‘fully’ and ‘readily’, ‘readily’ is the most appropriate word here.

10. Sometimes to put stress on a certain part of the sentence this part is moved to the beginning of the sentence. Here the sentence is ‘ He, ……. on a branch of the tree, shouted at the crocodile…’ The word to be used in blank space describes the subject, pronoun, ‘he’. A verb in third form i.e. the past participle also works as an adjective. All the options are the past participles of verbs. ‘Raised’ means ‘elevated.’ and posed and backed mean positioned. All these words do not fit here. ‘Rested’ means ‘reposed’ or ‘relaxed’ This word also does not fit here. ‘Perched’ meaning ‘having settled’ or ‘sat’ is the correct word here. This word is used for birds to sit on branch of a tree.

TWO 

Directions  (1 - 10 ) : 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 are suggested, one of which fits the blank  appropriately. find out the appropriate word in each case.






Books are a great source of 1...................... for a man who
is in the habit of reading books. These  not only provide him knowledge but also act as a 2......................... of recreation. These provide him life-long company. A man never feels lonely, 3...................... or anguished in the company of books. He 4..............................feels 5......................... in their company. He enjoys his leisure time in reading. He derives a unique type of pleasure from reading them. Blessed is the man who 6.............................the habit of reading books at a young age because he thus accumulates a huge 7........................of knowledge with him when he grows up. This treasure never diminishes but goes on 8................................ as he grows further in years. Reading books 9.......................... a man’s knowledge and awareness. By 10.....................he experiences immense inner joy and happiness.



1. a) enjoy, b) appreciation, c) disillusion, d) relaxation,
e) Inspiration.
2. a) reason, b) cause, c) ground, d) source, e) root.
3. a) forsake, b) afraid, c) desolate, d) bleak, e) mild.
4. a)ever, b) always, c) occasionally, d) rarely, e) never.
5. a) occupied, b) relief, c) liberty, d) safe, e) protected .
6. a)enjoy, b) cherishes, c) favours, d) inculcates, e) dares.
7. a) source, b) treasure, c) assembly, d) hoard, e) casket.
8. a) increasing, b) lifting, c) addition, d)ascending, e) arising.
9. a) engross, b) engages, c) enhances, d) entails, e) ensues.
10. a) reciting, b)listening, c)looking, d) reading, e)speaking.







SOLUTION WITH EXPLANATION

In this paragraph, the author gives uses of reading books to readers. Books enhance knowledge of the reader. These are also a source of recreation for him. These inspire the reader to do good activities. A reader always remains busy in reading books. He enjoys reading books. He gains experience of life as he gathers knowledge from books. He spends his life with pleasure and happiness due to the knowledge gathered by him from books. The whole paragraph is written in a positive note. 

1. In this sentence, 'a source' is a noun followed by a conjunction 'of  '. This shows that a noun is required in the blank space. Out of the given options, 'enjoy' is a verb. The remaining words are nouns. 'Appreciation' means to praise. It also means an increase. Both these meanings do not fit in this context. 'Relaxation' means freedom from some activity, this word also does not fit here because by reading books one does not get freedom from activity. 'Disillusion' is a negative word. 'Inspiration' is the appropriate word. Reading books inspires a man. 

2. This blank space precedes by an article 'a' and a preposition 'of' follows it. It means that a noun is required in this space. 'Reason' ,'cause' and 'root' mean that books give rise to recreation. This is not in the right sense of the context. Rather it gives out a sense that 'recreation' comes out of the activity of reading books. So 'source' is the right word here.

3. This sentence is in a positive note as a negative word 'never' is followed by negative words like 'lonely, and anguished'. With these negative words a negative word is required in the blank space. These all words describe the noun 'a man'. 'Forsake' 'afraid' and 'mild' are not appropriate words here. 'Bleak' means dark or gloomy. 'Desolate' means deserted or without any shelter etc. This is the correct word here.  

4. In this blank space a word describing the activity of 'feeling' of 'he' is required. 'Occasionally', 'rarely' and 'never' are negative words. These do not fit here. Out of 'ever' and 'always' is the appropriate word. It means all the time and on all instances. This shows continuity of an activity. 

5. In this space a word describing 'he' is required. 'Relief' and 'liberty' do not give any sense here. 'Liberty' means freedom and 'relief' means to reduce intensity of something unpleasant or miserable. With reference to the context of books, these do not provide protection or safety to their readers. 'Occupied' means being busy suits here with the context. Books keep the reader busy.  



6. In this sentence, 'the man' is singular subject, so in the blank space a singular verb is required. 'Enjoy' is a plural verb.  'Cherish' means to show fondness, 'favours' means to show kindness, 'dare' means to challenge to do something dangerous. All these words do not fit well with the object 'the habit'. 'Inculcates' means to develop is the appropriate words 'The man who develops the habit' is blessed one.


7. In this sentence 'he' is subject, 'accumulates' is verb and 'knowledge' is object. In the blank space a noun is required.
 'Hoard' and 'casket' are negative words. 'Source' means something from where a thing starts. 'Assembly' means a group of persons,  
 All these words do not fit here. 'Treasure' meaning a valued possession, is the right word here. Besides, this word is used by the author in the next line also.



8. In this sentence 'this treasure' is subject and 'diminishes' is verb. It is followed by 'but' which denotes that a verb in opposite meaning to the verb 'diminishes' is required in the blank space. According to this, the appropriate word is 'increasing'. 

9. 'Reading' is subject and 'knowledge and awareness' is object. A verb is required in the blank space to complete the sentence. As the subject is singular, a singular verb is required. 'Engross' is a plural verb. 'Engross' means to make busy or to absorb, 'entails' means to follow as a consequence, 'ensue' means to happen after  as a result,'engage' means to involve or catch attention. All these words do not fit here. 'Enhance' meaning to increase is the correct word to be used here. 


10. In this sentence the author continues to tell about benefits of reading of books. So in the blank space a word relating to books is required. 'Recite' means to speak from memory, 'listening' means to hear carefully, 'look' means to see, and the last word is speaking. All these words do not fit with books. 'Reading' books is the correct word in the blank space.

CLOZE TEST (6) --PARAGRAPH - FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH WORDS OUT OF GIVEN OPTIONS

A thorough reading of the paragraph and understanding its contents  is very essential before attempting the question "Cloze Test". This gives an opportunity to peep into author's mind. It makes clear what the author wants to convey in the paragraph. The whole paragraph is interwoven around that particular idea. All the sentences of the paragraph are interconnected with each other. They are closely related to the main idea. So the given blank spaces are also required to be filled in according to the idea contained in the paragraph. The tone of the author prevalent in the paragraph also helps in selecting words out of the given options. In the options there are words of both positive and negative moods. By reading the paragraph it becomes convenient to select appropriate words for the given blanks. A strong vocabulary undoubtedly helps but good knowledge of grammar also is very necessary for this exercise. There are certain small tips about use of grammar that make the job more convenient. To quote here are a few tips that can be useful.

Generally a Sentence has a Subject, Verb and an Object. But sometimes Object is missing in a sentence. A Noun or a Pronoun is used as a Subject or an Object. A noun, Pronoun and a verb have their numbers i.e. they are used in singular and plural forms. Sentences have their active and passive forms. A form of the verb used in a sentence gives the idea whether that sentence is in active or passive form. In a sentence having more than one parts, these parts joined together are necessarily to be  in the same voice. There are certain words that tell about change of the mood of the author in a particular part of the sentence. 'Although', 'But' and 'otherwise' etc are words which determine the change of the mood, positive to negative or negative to positive, of the sentence. Further use of an article before a blank indicates that a noun is to used in the blank. A verb following such a blank gives an idea of the number i.e. in singular or plural form of a noun to be filled in the blank space. Nevertheless, it is practice that makes the attempt of this exercise convenient and easy.      


EXERCISES FOR PRACTICE



ONE 

Directions: (1 - 12 ) : 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 are suggested, one of which fits the blank  appropriately. find out the appropriate word in each case.

Education not only makes a man wise and intelligent but also 1......................him to find out a suitable source of his livelihood. It is an important medium of acquiring 2.............................. knowledge and skills. It brings about a change in a man’s life by 3............................... his vision.It also creates 4.............................. in him. It sharpens his wits and grooms his acumen. It helps a man to lead a 5........................................ life with 6...................................... earning opportunities. It is an old saying that “the more a man learns, the more he knows how ignorant he was.” These days education 7................................... researchers and scholars only. It does not produce better human beings who are kind and generous with their fellow beings. It teaches a man only how to 8.................................. with other man and not how to 9.................................... his feelings with others. Most of the people take education as a 10.............................. of earning their livelihood only. They 11................................. education so that they may get better chances of their earnings and thus amass a lot of wealth and power. In this process they spend a 12....................................... part of their life to gain quantitative instead of qualitative education only.


1.prompted, enables, made, creates, persuades.
2. overt, adequately, virtual, durable.essential.
3. adding, enhance, expanding, elevate, running.
4.  significance, conscious, prominence, awareness, attention.
5. disciplined, maligned, tainted, foster, blessed.
6. improve,enhanced, balance, ameliorate, engrossed.
7. sifts, garners, selects, produces,developing
8. stay, halt, deal,flow,feeling
9. share,carry, parting, manage, control.
10. agency, instrument, means, source, cause.
11. reach, acquire,  effort, secure, provide.
12.  enlarged, growing, lasting, trivial, significant.

SOLUTION WITH EXPLANATION

The author describes in this paragraph how education benefits a man. It enhances his intellect and makes him wiser. It also helps him providing wider range of opportunities for his livelihood. The paragraph starts with a positive note that education develops personality traits of a man. He not only leads a better life but also earns  better livelihood for himself. But the author points out that these days  effects of education are disappointing as it produces academicians and researchers but not good human beings. There is a great need of education that inculcates humane traits among human beings. Education should  be acquired not with a motive of earning money, wealth or power only but it should produce good qualities among people.  People should be taught to be compassionate towards fellow beings. The paragraph ends with a positive note that education should inculcate good qualities among human beings.    



1. In this sentence 'Education' a noun and is a subject, 'makes' a verb and 'a man', a noun, and is an object. Further in second part of the sentence 'Education' is subject, 'him' a pronoun is object. To complete this part of the sentence a verb is required in the blank space. As 'makes' is singular verb in present tense, here too a verb in singular in present tense is required. Out of the given options 'made' and 'prompted' are verbs in past tense. 'Persuades', creates and 'enables' are verbs in singular and in present tense. Persuades means to encourage or induce to do something, 'creates' means to generate or to produce. These two words do not fit here.   Education does not persuade or induce and create or generate to find out anything. It makes a man capable.  'Enables' means to make  someone capable. This  is the correct word here.


2. In this sentence 'knowledge' 'skills' are nouns. To describe them an adjective should precede these words. 'adequately' is an adverb. 'Overt' and 'virtual' are negative words but here a positive word is required. 'Durable' is an adjective but it is sued with usable goods.'Essential' meaning necessary is the appropriate word here.


3. The sentence implies that there should be action in respect of ' his vision' so ' that 'change in life' happens.        Here a word doing action with 'vision for a change in life' is required. 'Life' is a noun followed by conjunction 'by'. So in blank also a noun is required because on both the sides of a conjunction same part of speech is required. 'Enhance' and 'elevate' are verbs. 'Running' and 'adding' are present participles used as adjectives. But 'by adding or running vision' does not fit well here.'Expanding' means to enhance or increase is the correct word. 


4. In this sentence 'It' a pronoun is a subject, 'creates' a verb and in blank space a noun as object is required. 'Conscious' is an adjective. The remains options are nouns. 'Significance' means importance, 'prominence' means fame, 'attention' means care. all these words do not it here according to the context. 'Awareness' means cognizance or awakening fits here.  


5. Life is a noun and in blank space an adjective is required to describe it. A past participle is also used as an adjective. 'Foster' is a verb. It is also used as an adjective as in 'foster child'. But life cannot be foster. 'Blessed' means something holy or sacred. 'Maligned' and ;tainted are negative words. These all do not fit here. 'Disciplined' meaning controlled or orderly is the correct word here.
6. 'Opportunities' is a noun and to describe it an adjective is required, 'Improve' 'ameliorate' 'balance' are verbs. 'Engrossed' means awfully  busy. These all do not fit here. 'Enhanced' means added or increased is the correct word.


7. 'Education' a noun, is Subject, 'researchers' a noun is an object.In blank space a verb is required. 'Developing' a present participle does not fit here. 'Education' a singular noun requires a singular verb in present tense. All the remaining for words are verbs in singular and in present tense. But education does not sift (meaning to separate) or garner ( meaning to reap or harvest). It also does not select. So 'produces' is the correct word here. 



8. A preposition precedes the blank space. It indicates possibility of a verb here. With 'to' first form of verb is required. 'Feeling' is present participle. 'Halt' and 'stay' mean to stop. These are negative words and do not fit here. 'Flow' means movement of a fluid. This also does not fit here' 'Deal' is the appropriate word here.Besides this there is a preposition 'with' after the blank which fits with this verb. 'To deal with' is the correct phrase used here.



9. In this blank space also a verb is required. With this verb also there is a preposition 'with'. 'Parting' is a present participle.To 'carry'  'control' or 'manage' with others does not fit well hare. 'Share with' is the correct word. 

10. In this sentence 'earning' is a participle and a noun here, 'of' a conjunction and another noun is required in the blank space. 'agency' means some activity to support, instrument means some device or implement, source means some basis from where a thing originated, 'cause' means to be reason of something. All these words do not fit here according to the context. 'Means' is the correct word.

11. 'They' a pronoun is Subject here and 'education' a noun is Object. To complete the sentence a verb is required. 'Effort' is a noun. 'Reach' is a verb but it meaning to arrive does not fit here. 'secure' means to obtain also does not suit here. 'Provide' means to give to someone else. It also does not fit here. 'Acquire' is the correct word.

12. 'Part' is a noun and to describe it an adjective is required. 'Lasting' shows durability of a thing. 'Trivial' means petty is a negative word.'Enlarged' means protruded or extended. 'Growing' means developing. All these words do not fit here according to the context. 'Significant' meaning substantial is the correct word to used here.




TWO 


Directions  (131 - 140 ) : 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 are suggested, one of which fits the blank  appropriately. find out the appropriate word in each case.



He was a charismatic leader, an entrepreneur and a highly effective manager all rolled into one. As a leader, he(131 )................ the company's growth plan in a dedicated manner and he never (132).............. focus. The cement industry in those days was doing badly (133)........... to everyone's expectations he sanctioned an additional plant in (134) ............ time. He was (135)............ that since the cement industry was cyclic in nature, by the time the plant was (136)................. the market would have improved. It happened and the decision brought rich (137)............. when the plant was commissioned. Not only was he a great entrepreneur but he also (138).............. all his senior people to be 'practising entrepreneurs'. I have seen a similar example at the Asian Institute of Management, which allows its professors to (139)............ their own business. This made their lectures more practical and less theoretical. It is the (140)................ of the institute's success.

                                                                  (Adapted Previous Question Paper)

131. (a) achieved (b) implemented  (c) visualised  (d)persevered  (e) aimed
132. (a)moved  (b) shifts (c) missed (d) charges  (e) lost
133. (a) contrary (b) opposite (c) yet (d) obedient (e) different
134. (a) any (b) mean  (c) short (d) no (e) less
135. (a)known  (b) calculating (c) certain (d) dreamt (e) surely
136. (a) operational (b) install (c) use (d) produced (e) new
137. (a) supply (b) diversity (c) rewards  (d) pay  (e) knowledge
138. (a) thought  (b) tried  (c) wished (d)  encourage (e) wanted
139. (a) expand (b) function (c) choose  (d) run (e) risk
140. (a) responsibility (b) secret  (c) guarantee (d) prize  (e) value






SOLUTION WITH EXPLANATION




The author starts writing the paragraph with a positive note. He is describing good qualities of a person. He tells about various aspects of his personality. He tells that he has qualities of a good leader a good entrepreneur and above all these he possesses a good decision making capability. He visualized position of the industry during the years to come and made his plans  according to that. That decision helped him a lot and he was benefited due to this. By doing so he was recognised as a great entrepreneur. 

131. A careful reading of the paragraph is always of a great help in finding out the solution. The first sentence is in past tense This indicates possibility of the sentences following it to be in past tense. This sentence tells about the quality of good leadership of the person. 'He' a pronoun is Subject and 'the company's growth' a noun is object in this sentence. To complete it a verb in past tense is required. The words 'in a dedicated manner' show that some action has been taken by the person concerned. So according to this view the word is to be selected out of the given options. The verbs 'visualised', 'aimed', 'achieved' and 'persevered' are static verbs and not action verbs. 'Implemented' therefore is the correct option here.     

132. 'He' a pronoun is subject, 'focus'  a noun is object and to complete the sentence a verb is required. Before blank space 'never' is a negative word. So to make the verb positive by combining two negative words, a negative verb in past tense  is required in the blank space.'Shifts' and 'charges' are not verbs in past tense. 'Moved' 'the focus' does not give any sense. 'Lost' is a negative verb in past tense. It means something gone that cannot be gained or found. 'Never lost focus' also does not fit well here. 'Missed' means failed to catch is the correct word here.  

133. In this blank an adjective describing the noun 'everyone's expectations' is required. But 'to' before the blank must fit well with this word. The word 'Different' takes preposition 'from' with it. 'yet' or'obedient' to expectations do not give any sense. Out of the remaining 'Opposite' and 'Contrary' opposite is used more in physical sense like on the opposite side of the road or building. But 'contrary' means opposing in nature, character or purpose. So 'contrary' is the correct word. Preposition 'to' also fits well with it. 'Contrary to'.

134. 'Time' is a noun here and an adjective to describe it is required in the blank space. In 'any' time or in 'mean' time do not fit according to the context. 'Less' a comparative word also does not fit here.'Short' is mostly used for length. But when used for time it tells about small span of time to come. Here 'no' meaning 'immediately' or without 'delay or loss of any time' is the correct word.


135. 'Was' is a helping verb. With this one main verb is required. With 'was or were' there is possibility of third form of a verb  or a present participle. 'Certain' is used as adjective or an adverb. 'surely' is an adverb. 'He was dreamt' does not fit well. 'He was known' should be followed by preposition 'as' or 'by' and the word 'that' does not fit well with it. 'Calculating' a present participle meaning that he was assessing is the correct word. 


136.'The plant' is a noun and in the blank a word to describe it is required. With 'was' 'install' and 'use' do not fit. 'The plant was produced or was new'  also do not fit because the plant would have already existed by then. It is an imaginary situation of the time to come. 'Operational' is the correct word. 'by the time the plant was operational.....'. The words ' the plant was commissioned...' in the next sentence also give a hint about this word to be inserted here.

137.'The decision' a noun is subject, 'brought' is a verb, 'rich' is an adjective. A noun as object is required in this part of sentence. 'Supply'  is used as verb as well as a noun. With 'supply' a noun, preposition 'of ' is required which is missing here. Similarly 'knowledge' and 'diversity' also do not give any sense here. 'Pay' is a verb. 'Brought rich ' 'rewards' is the correct answer.  


138. In a sentence with 'Not only.... but also' both parts of the sentence are to be in the same form. As first part is in past tense, the other part also will be in the same tense. Here a verb in past tense is required. 'Encourage' is not in past tense. 'Thought', 'Wished' and 'tried' do not fit well according to the meaning of the sentence. 'Wanted' is the correct word here. He also wanted all his senior people to be.....

139. The sentence next to this one says more 'practical and less theoretical' shows that some action has taken place. The blank is preceded by preposition 'to'. It shows that first form of verb is required in the blank space. 'Risk'a negative word does not fit here. 'Expand' and 'function' also do not give any sense. Out of 'Choose' and 'run' , 'run' is the appropriate word. 'Practical' will be only when some action is done so out of two 'run' shows practical aspect.



140. In this blank space a noun is required which should fit well with the portion 'of the institute's success' . The words 'value' 'prize' 'responsibility' and 'guarantee' do not fit well with these words. Only the word 'secret' with this part of the sentence gives any meaning. It is the secret of the success of the institute's success.  

Although there is no foolproof formula for selecting appropriate words yet there are certain  small tips which help in selecting these words. Practice makes the attempt easy and certain of doing it accurately. 




THREE 


Directions  (1 - 10 ) : 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 are suggested, one of which fits the blank  appropriately. find out the appropriate word in each case.

Faith is the 1…………………. on which structure of true friendship 2………………………. . It is the bond that 3…………………. two individuals together. It is a 

feeling in the minds of the two individuals sharing the 

pious bond that 4……………………..  them to be true

 to each other. It 5………………………..  the individuals 

to be 6…………………………  in their actions 7............... 

each other. One cannot 8…………… one’s feelings from 

those of the other nor can one suppress those feelings. These feelings are to be shared in such a way that these do not 9……………………  those of the other partner sharing

 friendship. True friend ship is a balm of life. It is a time tested phenomenon and does not 10………………. with time and distance.

1. support, relation, reality, foundation, edifice.
2. moves, grow, rests, lying, hinge.
3. holds, takes, move, growing, position.
4. need, feeling, compels, resists,urges.
5. reminds, prompts, drags, beckons, encouraging.
6. translucent, responsive, transparent, favour, above.
7. beyond, towards, behind, pointing, covering.
8. attach, show, growth, separate,deprive.
9.develop, decry,  hinder, prevention, chase.
10. fervent, impede, descend, fade away, expel.





SOLUTION WITH EXPLANATION





The paragraph is in present tense as it tells about some universal reality. It tells about traits of true friendship. It tells how friendship grows between two individuals and how it has effect on their lives. True friends share their feelings between themselves. They act in the interest of each other and develop true feelings in their minds for each other.

1.The author says that true friendship is based on certain values. The word ‘the’ indicates that in the blank space there will be a noun. All the given options are nouns. The words ‘reality and relation’ do not it here because friendship cannot be realty or relation. ‘Edifice’ means a building. Friendship cannot form its base on a building. Similarly it cannot form its base on ‘support’. Friendship has its foundation on faith. ‘Faith’ is appropriate word.


2. Structure is a noun and Subject and in the blank space a verb is required to complete the sentence. As structure is singular, a singular verb is required. ‘Grow’ and ‘hinge’ are singular verbs, ‘lying’ is a present participle. Friendship does not ‘move’ but it ‘rests’ on faith.


3. ‘The bond’ is subject in singular form and ‘two individuals’ is object. As the subject is in singular a verb in singular is required to complete this part of sentence. ‘Move’ and ‘position’ are verbs I plural. ‘Growing’ is a present participle. These do not fit here. ‘the bond’ does not ‘take’ but ‘holds’ together. ‘Holds’ is the correct word.


4. In this sentence, ‘a feeling’ is subject, ‘them’ is object and in the blank space a verb is required. Here a singular verb is required as ‘a feeling’ is a singular noun. ‘Need’ is a plural noun. ‘Feeling’ is a present participle. As the tone of the author in the paragraph is positive, a positive word is required in the blank space. ‘compels’ and ‘resists’ are negative words. ‘A feeling urges them’. ‘Urges’ is the correct word here.


5. ‘It’ a pronoun is a subject. ‘The individuals’ is a subject. Here a singular verb in positive tone is required. ‘Encouraging’ is a present participle. ‘Drags’ is anegative word. These do not fit here. ‘Reminds’ meaning to recap and ‘beckons’ meaning to call also do not fit here.’Prompt ’ is the correct word. ‘It promps the individuals.’


6. In this sentence ‘the individuals to be ….. in their actions’, something describing individuals is required. Here a word in positive tone is required. ‘Translucent’ means something giving out light or gleaming, ‘responsive’ means someone reacting or alert etc., ‘favour’ means action of kindness or goodwill etc., and above means something overhead. All these words do not fit as the word ‘transparent’ fits here. ‘to be transparent in their actions means ‘to be clear’ in their actions.



7. In the sentence ‘the individuals to be transparent in their actions ..............each other’ after actions some preposition is required. Out of the given words, ‘covering’ means wrapped, ‘pointing’ means indicating, ‘behind’ means on the rear side, ‘beyond’ means at a distance or farther from. ‘Actions’ with the words ‘covering, or pointing, or behind, or beyond each other’ does not fit well. ‘Towards’, however , is the correct word. Actions towards each other.


8. In this sentence ‘one’ is subject, ‘one’s feelings’ is object and ‘cannot’ is helping verb, main verb coinciding with helping verb ‘cannot’ is required. This word should be according to the latter part of the sentence i.e. ‘nor can one suppress’ This word also should be negative as ‘suppress’. ‘Growth’ is a noun. ‘Show’ ‘attach’ are not negative words. ‘Deprive’ is a negative word. ‘Deprive’ means lacking or to be ‘devoid of ’ but one cannot deprive one’s feelings. ‘One cannot attach one’s feelings’ also does not fit in this context. ‘Separate’ is the appropriate word.


9. In this sentence ‘these’ is subject, ‘those’ object and do not is helping verb and with it main verb is required. ‘These’ denote feelings of one person and ‘those’ denote feelings of the other person. ‘Prevention’ is a noun. ‘Decry’ means ‘to criticize’, ‘Chase’ means ‘to follow’. Feelings do not develop, feelings do not decry, feelings do not chase, So these words do not fit here. ‘Hinder’ means ‘to obstruct’. Feelings of one person should not ‘hinder’ feelings of the other person.

10. In this sentence ‘it’ denotes ‘friendship’ . In this blank space a verb with helping verb ‘does not’ is required. ‘Fervent’ meaning ardent is an adjective. ‘Impede’ means to obstruct, ‘descend’ means to come down, ‘expel’ means to extricate. All these words do not fit here. ‘Fade away’ meaning to become weaker is the most appropriate word here.

CLOZE TEST (5) --PARAGRAPH - FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH WORDS OUT OF GIVEN OPTIONS

Before attempting  a 'Cloze Test' exercise one must go through the whole paragraph. The candidate should never try to fill in blanks direct. By reading the paragraph one gets an idea of its contents and subject matter. It also tells about the mood of the author whether it is negative or positive. This helps in finding out the correct words to be filled in blanks.Reading and understanding the subject matter of the paragraph makes selection of words convenient. All the sentences in the paragraph are linked with each other. If one sentence is not clear,  sentences proceeding it  help in making it clear.  Sometimes there is a word used in the sentences following the blank. If not the same word a similar word also gives a clue about this word.

Mostly the author writes the paragraph in a single mood but it is not certain.In many cases it contains more than one moods i.e. positive mood and negative mood. There are certain words like but or otherwise etc. required to be identified which make the change. The mood prior to that word is different from that after that. This helps in selecting words out of the given options as these are to be according to the mood in that particular part of the sentence or stanza. 

Tense used in  the sentences also gives idea to choose words out of the given options.

'Elimination and Selection' is the best method to select words to fill in blank spaces.

EXERCISES FOR PRACTICE



ONE 


Directions  (1 - 10 ) : 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 are suggested, one of which fits the blank  appropriately. find out the appropriate word in each case.


Happiness lies in 1.............................. and satisfaction. It does not mean that a person should not 2. ...................... for more, but he should strike a balance between contentment and ambition. An over-ambitious person can never be happy. Moreover, a man should use his wealth, talent, etc., which he 3............................. as a trustee and not as an owner and master. Moderation is the need of our life. If we go on 4. .............................. for more and more, there is no end. What is important is that how a person enjoys and uses the money he already possesses. Of what use is the 5...........................  wealth in a man’s possession or the huge bank-balance if he cannot enjoy it, or use it in the welfare of others? Compassion, charity, fellow-feeling, sacrifice and unselfishness are the 6. .................................  of happiness. A self-centered, egoist, unkind and 7.............................. person cannot achieve happiness. Poverty may 8............................................ inconvenience, but it is not always a curse. Many have turned their poverty into an 9.................................. of achieving happiness and bliss through their great will-power, determination and feeling for others. Sometimes poverty, adversity and sufferings may help a man to 10...................................... the best in him. Adjustment to the realities of life, facing things, and odds as they are and righteous resignation to the will of God can surely lead one to happiness.


1.cognition, purgation, contentment, satiate, fatuity.
2.exertion,strive, effort, recreate, attenuate.
3. share, possesses,participates, control, dominates. 
4.demand, rapacious, aggressive, desires, craving.
5.enormous, hugely, exceedingly, majority, lofty.
6. precedent, antecedents, precursors, prerequisites, defunct. 
7. meek, haughty,subtle, divine, vividly. 
8.effects, reason, cause, channel, proceeds.
9. device, incarnate, methods,instrument, miracle. 
10.carry out, bring up, put out, show off, bring out.

SOLUTION & EXPLANATION

In this paragraph the author describes that a man has desires and he makes efforts to fulfill his desires. But a man should not have his desires beyond limits. There should a balance between desires of a man and their fulfillment. Man should enjoy the wealth and talents that he possesses instead of hankering after his desires unnecessarily. He can be happy only if he enjoys the things in his possession. Sometimes poverty causes inconvenience but this does not mean a poor man cannot be happy. He can also enjoy  his life in that condition also. The author describes about qualities a man should possess to be happy. He advises a man to adjust according to realities of life and submission to God;s will to enjoy real happiness of life. 


1. Sometimes the author gives a hint of the word in the sentences following the blank. The word 'contentment' in the next sentence fits well with the word next to blank 'satisfaction'. 'And' and 'or' are such words that take words of same part of speech on either side of them. 'Satisfaction' is a noun here and in the blank also there will be a noun. 'Cognition' means to think and understand, 'purgation' means to cleanse and purify, 'fatuity' means stupidity. All these words do not fit according to the context. 'Satiate' is a verb but here a noun is required. Contentment is the correct word here. The author has mentioned about in the next line also.  



2. In this sentence, 'a person' is a noun, subject 'should' a helping verb and one main verb is required here to complete the sentence. 'Exertion' and 'effort' are nouns. 'Attenuate' means to grow weaker, 'recreate' means to create something  again. These two words do not fit here. 'Strive' means to make effort or to try is the correct word here.


3. 'He' a pronoun is subject and a verb is required to complete the sentence. 'Dominates; means to control, participates means to take part, these two do not fit here according to the context. 'share' and 'control' do not suit here because with third person singular in present indefinite tense there is 's' or ;es; with a verb. 'Possesses' is the correct word here.



4. After a preposition a noun is required. A verb in present participle is also used as a noun.'Aggressive' is an adjective, 'rapacious' is a living being that lives by eating other beings. 'desires'  and ;demand' are a nouns. They are verbs also. 'Craving' means a very strong desire. It suits here the best. 

5. 'Wealth' is a noun. Before a noun, an adjective is required. 'Hugely' 'exceedingly' are adverbs. 'Lofty' means high in terms of height. 'Majority' is a noun. All these do not fit here. 'Enormous' is the correct word here.


6. 'Happiness' is a noun 'of' is a conjunction and before it also a noun is required. 'Defunct' is an adjective. 'Antecedents' means previous events, 'precedents' means a previous example to justify something, 'precursors' means forerunners. All these words have meanings different from the context. 'Prerequisites' something required in advance as a condition. For example the next will happen if the first occurs. This is the correct word.  


7. 'Person' is a noun. A self-centered, egoist, unkind are adjective used to describe noun person. These are all in negative sense. The words 'And' and 'or' take the same part of speech on both sides of themselves. So in blank also an adjective in negative sense is required. 'Vividly' is an adverb. 'subtle' and 'divine' are positive adjectives. These do not fit here. 'Haughty' meaning arrogant is the correct word here. 

8. 'Poverty' is a noun,subject, 'inconvenience' is a noun an object, and  'may' is a helping verb. To complete the sentence on main verb is required. 'Effects' and 'Proceeds' are nouns and these are also used as verb but these do not fit here because of 's' with them. 'Reason' and 'Channel' are nouns as well as verb but according to their meaning do not fit here, 'Poverty' is a reason of 'inconvenience' so 'cause' is the correct word here.


9. Before the blank there is an article 'an'. This shows that a noun is required in the blank space. 'An" means a singular noun starting with a vowel is required. There are only two words starting with a vowel (i). 'Incarnate' and ' instrument'. Out of these 'instrument' is the correct word. 


10. Before the blank space there is the word 'to'. This shows that a verb is required. after 'to' only first form of a verb is used. All the words are with first form of verb. 'Carry out' means to implement, 'bring up' means to rear, 'put out' means to douse or extinguish a fire. to 'show off' means to display pretentiously. All these do not fit here. 'Bring out' meaning to make visible  is the correct word here. 

TWO 

Directions  (1 - 10 ) : 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 are suggested, one of which fits the blank  appropriately. find out the appropriate word in each case.

Food allergies are on a 1.................... across the globe, so much so that it is almost fashionable to announce that one is allergic to a certain 2................................ food item like eggplant, kopi, citric fruit or a pudding etc., which actually is not allergy but  3. .........................  intolerance. A true allergy is to the protein content of a food article and can 4. ............................ immediately or sometimes gradually, in hours to days. It is 5.................... to identify mild to moderate manifestations from severe presentation as immediate treatment can be 6. ........................and a life saved. Food allergy can 7.....................  breathing, intestinal tract, heart and skin. A person with food allergy will develop certain symptoms within a few minutes to an hour after eating the food.There is no single fool proof laboratory test to 8................... an individual allergic to a certain food item. The popular skin prick tests can sometimes produce a 9.........................reactions, hence should be avoided in individuals who present severe manifestations. There is currently no cure for food allergies;however, many persons grow out of them. It could be very frustrating to have a person with allergy because  food is everywhere and an individual by nature is 10..........................to try new foods outside their homes. This poses a risk of allergic reactions at places where one is new to. However the recommended strategy is to avoid a food that has caused problems to a person in the past.

1.  a)rise b)increasing, c)growing, d)upwards, e)ascend.
2.   a)display, b) spectacle,c)exotic d) exhibit, e) frantic.

3.   a) certain, b) doubt, c) clearly, d)shabbily, e)probably.

4.  a)apparently, b)manifest c) evidence, d)feeling, e)reveal.

5.  a) crucial b)critical, c)resolute, d) trivial, e)splendid.
6.  a)introduce, b) establish, c)found, d) instituted e) declared.
7.  a)intended,b) affect c) pretend, d)prompted, e)incite.
8.  a) change, b)facing, c) stamp d) cure, e) prove.
9.  a)evident, b) hardly, c) durable d) revealing e) severe
10.a) habit,b) interest, c)eagerly, d) curious e) inquisitive

SOLUTION & EXPLANATION

In this paragraph the author gives an account of allergy caused by  food items to human beings. He in a positive note tells the reasons of allergy and how one can save oneself from it. Although there is no fool proof treatment yet one can save oneself by avoiding those food items which cause allergy to a person. An allergy has its own cure but it should not be allowed to go to such an extent that might harm the body. The paragraph ends with an advice that one should identify and avoid the food item that causes allergy.




1. A verb can be used as different parts of speech in English. The past and present participle of a verb are used an adjective as in these sentences. An 'increased' demand of sugar........ The 'increasing' water level of the river........ Here 'increased' and 'increasing' are used as adjective. Similarly first form of a verb is used as a noun and it is preceded by an article.Just as An 'increase' in income......Otherwise in its usual form this word is used as a verb for example, the demand is 'increasing'. In options 'increasing' and 'growing' are present particles of their verbs. 'Upwards' is an adverb. 'Ascend' is the first form of verb. All these do not fit here according to the context. Before the blank space there is an article 'a'. According to the meaning 'rise' is the correct word here.   


2. 'Food item' is a noun so in the blank space an adjective is required. 'Display' and 'exhibit' are verbs. 'Spectacle' is a noun. All these do not fit here. 'Exotic' and 'frantic' are adjectives. Out of these 'exotic' is the correct word according to sense of the sentence.

3.'But' is such a conjunction that takes a positive word or clause on its one side and on its other side there is always a contrary word or clause. For example, He is miser but honest. Here 'actually' is followed by 'but'. 'Clearly' has its meaning in the same sense. 'Doubt' is a verb and 'certain' is an adjective. 'shabbily' does not fit here according to its meaning. 'Probably' is the correct word.


4. In this sentence 'can' is a helping verb and with this a main verb is required. A first form of verb is the only possibility. 'Apparently' is an adverb. 'Evidence' is a noun. 'Feeling' is present participle it is also used as a noun. 'Reveal' and 'manifest' are the first form of verbs but 'reveal' does not fit here according to the sense of the sentence. 'Manifest' is the correct word.


5. The writer is writing in the whole stanza in positive mood. So words with positive mood only will be used. 'Critical' and 'trivial' are negative words. 'resolute' means strong determination. 'Splendid' means eloquent or with grandeur. All these words do not fit here. 'Crucial' means of importance is the correct word.
6. 'Can be' is a helping or auxiliary verb and with this third form verb is required as the sentence is in passive voice.'Introduce' and 'establish' are first forms of verbs. 'Found' and ''declared' are third form of verbs but these do not fit here according to their meanings.'Instituted' meaning 'set up' is the correct word.   


7. 'Food allergy is subject and can is a helping verb  and 'breathing ... skin' is object. Here  main verb is missing. The sentence is in active voice, So first form of verb is required.'Intended' and 'prompted' are not first form of verb. 'Pretend' means 'to feign as' and 'incite' means 'to prompt a person'. Both these words do not fit here.'Affect' means to effect in a negative manner. This is the correct word. 


8. After 'to' always a first form of verb is used. 'facing' is not first form of verb. According to the meaning of the sentence, a laboratory test cannot 'cure' or 'change'. Out of the two 'Prove' and . 'Stamp' , 'stamp'is a better word.  


9. 'Tests' is a noun and Subject, 'reactions' is a noun and object. 'Can produce' is verb.  An adjective to describe noun 'reactions' is required. 'Hardly' is an adverb, 'durable' is an adjective. 'Revealing' is a present participle and is also used as adjective. 'Evident' and 'Revealing' do not fit here according to their meanings. 'Severe' is the correct word.  

10. An individual is a noun and subject. To describe a noun some adjective is required. 'Habit', 'interest' are nouns. 'Eagerly' is an adverb. 'Inquisitive' means to put into inquiry. All these do not fit here. 'Curious' is the correct word here.

  THREE

Directions  (111 - 120 ) : 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 are suggested, one of which fits the blank  appropriately. find out the appropriate word in each case.



An old couple was asking for water on the pavement outside an office. They (111) .............. to be pitifully poor. When asked where they were (112) ................. to. They told that they had come from a (113)...................... village to get their cataract-affected eyes operated. But they were stranded. The stranger who had (114)................... them there with a promise of treatment was (115)................Humanely, few staff members of the office arranged for their (116)................. for a night and next day (117)................ to a reputed hospital, whose eye surgeon had helped (118)...................poor patients. He examined his new patients and got them admitted. The surgeon (119)............... picked beggars from the streets and operated them for free. The old couple stayed in the hospital for a week and came out with new (120)............ They were now happier and healthier.

                                                                      (Adapted source question paper


111 a) wanted  b) apparently c) wished  d) appeared  e) liked

112 a) headed  b) journey  c) sitting  d) footing  e) tourist

113 a) nearing b) residential  c) close  d) distantly  e) nearby

114 a) took b) asked c) bring  d) brought  e) walked

115 a)forgotten b)untractable c)untraceable d) retraceable e)missed

116 a)refuge b)asylum  c)living d)livelihood e)shelter

117 a)took b)transferred c)bought d)lead e)bring

118 a)many b)greater c)quiet d)much  e)lot

119 a)timely b)repeatedly c)unwillingly d)constantly e)continuously

120 a)happy b)insight c)site d)sense e)sight

SOLUTION & EXPLANATION

On reading the paragraph a reader finds that the author is telling about an old couple sitting on pavement. They came here from a village for treatment of their eyes. Someone came along with them but he is not there now. A few persons from the nearby office took them to a hospital where their eyes were operated upon. After operation they are feeling better and healthier.The whole paragraph is in past tense. This implies that the required words are to be selected accordingly. The paragraph is written in a positive note.

111. In this sentence they, a pronoun is Subject and a verb in past tense is required to complete the sentence. 'Apparently' being an adverb does not fit here. 'Wished, 'wanted' or 'liked'  'to be poor' does not give any sense in this context. 'Appeared' is the correct word here.

112. In this sentence the word 'where' suggests that it is about movement to some place. 'They' is subject, 'were' is helping verb and with this one main verb is required and that too in present participle or third form of verb.'Journey' and 'tourist' are nouns. 'Sitting' does not show movement. 'Footing' too gives no sense. 'Headed' is the correct word here. Preposition 'to' also fits with it. 'Head to' means 'to go'. 

113. In this sentence 'village' is a noun and before it there should be an adjective to describe it. 'Nearing' is a verb, 'distantly' is an adverb, residential is an adjective. 'Close' is a verb but it is used as adjective also. All these do not fit here. 'Nearby' is an adjective it fits here.

114. In this sentence 'the stranger' is subject, 'them' is object 'had' is helping verb and with it one main verb in past participle is required. 'Took and bring' are not third form of verb. 'Asked or walked' them.. there, does not give any sense according to the context. 'Brought' them there is the correct word here.

115. In this sentence 'the stranger ....was ......' an adjective describing 'stranger' is required. 'untractable' means unmanageable, 'forgotten' means not remembering. 'Retractable' means something that can be pulled back or withdrawn. These all do not fit here according to their meanings. 'Missed' is past participle of 'miss'. Some time past participle is used as an adjective but in a sentence where action has been completed but in this sentence action still continues so it is not correct here. 'Untraceable' is the correct word.


116. In this sentence, 'staff members' a noun is subject, 'arranged for' is a verb, an object, a noun is required here. 'Asylum' is a shelter but in a negative sense i.e. lunatic asylum or political asylum. 'Refuge' is also used in the same sense of security or safety. 'Living' and 'livelihood' also do not fit here. 'Shelter ' is the correct word.

117.Here blank space is followed by a preposition 'to' it suggests that here a verb with preposition 'to' is required.'Bring' and 'lead'  in present tense are wrong. 'Bought' does not give any sense. 'Transferred' means some official shifting or through some other agency or person. As the persons are to be taken physically 'took' is the correct word here.


118.'......eye surgeon' is subject, 'had helped' a verb and ' patients' a noun is object 'poor' is an adjective in this sentence. An adverb to describe adjective 'poor' is required here. Here a countable word is required. So 'many' is correct word here.


119. 'Timely' means in time, 'repeatedly' means again and again 'unwillingly' is a negative word. These all do not fit here. 'Continuously' means without any break and 'constantly' means to do with a gap of time. So 'Constantly' is the correct word here.


120. Here 'new' is an adjective, a noun should follow it. 'Happy' is not a noun. 'Insight' 'site' and 'sense' have no meaning suitable to the context.'Sight' is the correct word.