Fill in the Blanks — General English

Q.1

WBCS prelims 2024

Supply the missing word in the sentence by choosing the right one from the following options. There is a book shop close ______.

A. now

B. up

C. in

D. by

Explanation

Why Correct: The phrase "close by" means near or at a short distance, and it fits the sentence to indicate the book shop is nearby.
Distractor Analysis: "Close now" is not a standard idiomatic phrase in this context; "now" refers to time, not location. "Close up" means to shut or to move nearer, but it does not fit the sentence's meaning of proximity. "Close in" means to surround or approach from all sides, which does not describe a book shop's location.
Takeaway: The preposition "by" commonly pairs with "close" to form the adverbial phrase "close by," meaning nearby; other similar phrases include "close to" and "near by."

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Q.2

WBCS prelims 2024

All the members are requested ______ to the rules of the Association. Choose the right word to fill in the blank.

A. abide

B. comply

C. conform

D. concur

Explanation

Why Correct: The correct verb is "conform," which is used with the preposition "to" to mean to comply with rules, standards, or laws. The sentence requires a verb that takes the preposition "to" after it, and "conform to" is the correct collocation.
Distractor Analysis: "Abide" is a correct verb but requires the preposition "by" (abide by the rules), not "to." "Comply" is also a correct verb but takes the preposition "with" (comply with the rules). "Concur" means to agree or have the same opinion, and it takes the preposition "with" (concur with someone), making it semantically and grammatically incorrect in this context.
Takeaway: Prepositional collocations are a common testing point in English grammar. The key pairs are: abide by, comply with, conform to, and concur with. Each verb has a specific preposition that must follow it, and mixing these up is a frequent error in exam questions.

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Q.3

WBCS prelims 2024

Choose the right word to fill in the blank in the following sentence. Children should not forget their ______ duty towards parents.

A. parental

B. filial

C. fraternal

D. ancestral

Explanation

Why Correct: "Filial" derives from the Latin "filius" (son) and "filia" (daughter), meaning relating to a son or daughter. "Filial duty" is the standard collocation for the obligation children owe to their parents, making it the precise word for the blank.
Distractor Analysis: "Parental" means relating to parents, not children, so it would reverse the relationship. "Fraternal" means relating to brothers, from the Latin "frater", and does not fit the parent-child context. "Ancestral" means relating to ancestors or forebears, referring to earlier generations rather than one's own parents.
Takeaway: The Latin roots of kinship terms are frequently tested: "filial" (son/daughter), "fraternal" (brother), "maternal" (mother), "paternal" (father), and "sororal" (sister).

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Q.4

WBCS prelims 1999

Choose the appropriate word to complete the following sentence. With their wealth, their reforming zeal and their nationalism the Tagores were preposterously.

A. Competent

B. Accomplished

C. Proficient

D. Clever

Explanation

Why Correct: 'Accomplished' denotes a person who has achieved a high level of skill and success across multiple fields, which matches the Tagores' wealth, reforming zeal, and nationalism—they were widely recognized for their achievements in art, literature, and social reform.
Distractor Analysis: 'Competent' describes someone with adequate but not outstanding ability. 'Proficient' indicates skill in a particular task or area. 'Clever' refers to mental sharpness but does not carry the sense of notable achievement or success.
Takeaway: In describing historical figures like the Tagores, 'accomplished' is the term that captures both skill and a record of significant contributions; 'proficient' would be used for a narrow technical ability, such as being proficient in a language or a craft.

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