Notes - Fill in the Blanks - FAA English

Fill in the Blanks

This section tests your vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension skills. You are required to choose the most appropriate word or phrase to complete a sentence.

1. Strategies to Solve

Read the Sentence Carefully: Understand the context and tone (positive, negative, neutral) of the sentence.
Identify the Part of Speech: Determine whether the blank requires a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, or conjunction.
Eliminate Options: Discard options that are grammatically incorrect or illogical in the context.
Look for Clues: Identify keywords or connectors (e.g., 'but', 'and', 'although', 'because') that signal the relationship between ideas.
Collocations: Check for word combinations that naturally go together (e.g., 'commit a crime', 'make a decision').
Grammar Rules: Apply rules of tenses, subject-verb agreement, and prepositions.

2. Types of Blanks

A. Vocabulary Based

Testing knowledge of synonyms, antonyms, and precise word meanings.

Example: The judge _______ the prisoner of all charges.

Options: (a) accused (b) acquitted (c) sentenced (d) punished

Answer: (b) acquitted (means declared not guilty).

B. Grammar Based

Testing tenses, articles, prepositions, etc.

Example: He has been sleeping _______ 3 hours.

Options: (a) since (b) for (c) from (d) in

Answer: (b) for (used for duration).

C. Logic / Context Based

Testing understanding of the situation.

Example: Though he is rich, he is _______.

Options: (a) happy (b) unhappy (c) generous (d) kind

Answer: (b) unhappy (Connector 'Though' suggests contrast).

3. Common Connectors

Understanding connectors helps in predicting the nature of the missing word.

Contrast: But, However, Although, Despite, In spite of, Whereas. (Expect opposite meaning).
Addition/Similarity: And, Moreover, Furthermore, Similarly, Also. (Expect similar meaning).
Cause & Effect: Because, Since, Therefore, Consequently, As a result. (Expect logical result).
Condition: If, Unless, Provided that.

Practice - Fill in the Blanks - FAA English

Practice Exercise

Choose the correct word(s) to fill in the blanks.

1. He is addicted _______ gambling.

(a) with (b) of (c) to (d) for

Answer: (c) to

'Addicted to' is the correct phrase.

2. We should _______ the rules aimed at preventing accidents.

(a) follow (b) ignore (c) reject (d) observe

Answer: (d) observe

'Observe' connects best with 'rules' in a formal context (adhere to). 'Follow' is also close, but 'observe' is more precise for 'aimed at preventing'. Wait, 'follow' is simpler. Let's check context. Usually 'observe/follow'. Option 'follow' is acceptable, but 'observe' implies compliance. Let's stick with (a) follow or (d) observe. 'Observe the rules' is a standard collocation.

3. The building was _______ by fire.

(a) destroyed (b) built (c) painted (d) cleaned

Answer: (a) destroyed

Fire destroys things.

4. He has been living here _______ 1990.

(a) for (b) since (c) from (d) by

Answer: (b) since

Use 'since' for a point in time.

5. She is _______ of the two sisters.

(a) older (b) oldest (c) elder (d) eldest

Answer: (c) elder

'Elder' is used for family members. 'The elder' because 'of the two'.

6. Hard work is the _______ to success.

(a) key (b) lock (c) door (d) path

Answer: (a) key

'Key to success' is an idiom.

7. I congratulate you _______ your success.

(a) for (b) on (c) at (d) in

Answer: (b) on

'Congratulate on' is correct usage.

8. He died _______ cholera.

(a) from (b) of (c) with (d) by

Answer: (b) of

Die 'of' a disease.

9. The train had left before I _______ the station.

(a) reach (b) reached (c) had reached (d) will reach

Answer: (b) reached

Past Perfect (had left) goes with Simple Past (reached).

10. Use your head; do not depend _______ others.

(a) at (b) on (c) with (d) to

Answer: (b) on

'Depend on' is correct.

11. A _______ of sheep was grazing in the field.

(a) fleet (b) flock (c) pack (d) shoal

Answer: (b) flock

Collective noun for sheep is 'flock'.

12. He is afraid _______ dogs.

(a) with (b) from (c) of (d) by

Answer: (c) of

'Afraid of' is correct.

13. Please distribute these sweets _______ the children.

(a) between (b) among (c) in (d) with

Answer: (b) among

Use 'among' for more than two persons.

14. This is the book _______ I want.

(a) who (b) whom (c) that (d) whose

Answer: (c) that

'That' or 'which' for non-living things/animals.

15. The sun _______ in the east.

(a) rise (b) rises (c) rose (d) is rising

Answer: (b) rises

General truth (Simple Present).

Vocabulary - Fill in the Blanks - FAA English

Essential Vocabulary for Blanks

Important Fixed Prepositions

Abide by: Rules.
Accused of: A crime.
Addicted to: Bad habits.
Afraid of: Fear.
Agree with: A person.
Agree to: A proposal.
Angry with: A person.
Avail of: Opportunity.
Aware of: Facts.
Belong to: Someone.
Beware of: Danger.
Blind in: One eye.
Blind to: Faults.
Capable of: Doing something.
Congratulate on: Success.
Deal in: Goods (Trade).
Deal with: A person/problem.
Die of: Disease.
Differ from: Thing.
Differ with: Person.
Fond of: Liking.
Good at: Skill (Good at Math).
Guilty of: Crime.
Injurious to: Health.
Insist on: Doing something.
Jealous of: Someone.
Junior to: Position/Age.
Key to: Success.
Listen to: Advice/Music.
Married to: Partner.
Prefer to: Comparison.
Prevent from: Doing something.
Proud of: Achievement.
Related to: Connection.
Rely on: Depend.
Senior to: Rank.
Similar to: Resemblance.
Sure of: Certainty.
Surprised at: Event.
Worthy of: Praise.

Common Phrasal Verbs

Break down: Stop working (machine) / Lose control emotionally.
Break into: Enter forcibly.
Call off: Cancel.
Call on: Visit.
Carry on: Continue.
Give up: Stop trying/Habit.
Look after: Take care of.
Look for: Search.
Look into: Investigate.
Put off: Postpone.
Put on: Wear.
Put out: Extinguish (fire).
Run out of: Exhaust supply.
Take off: Leave ground / Remove clothes.
Turn down: Reject.

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