Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Fill-in-the-blanks questions are a common feature in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, particularly in the English language paper. These questions assess a candidate’s command over the English language, including vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension skills. They test the ability to understand the context of a sentence or passage and choose the most appropriate words to complete it. While this specific question is incomplete without the passage, understanding the principles behind answering such questions is vital for aspirants. The ability to discern subtle nuances in meaning and grammatical correctness is often the deciding factor.
Understanding Fill-in-the-Blanks Questions
Fill-in-the-blanks questions are designed to evaluate a candidate’s proficiency in English. They are not merely vocabulary tests; they require a holistic understanding of the language. Here’s a breakdown of how to approach them:
- Read the Entire Sentence/Passage: Never attempt to fill a blank without reading the complete sentence or, ideally, the entire passage. This provides crucial context.
- Identify Grammatical Clues: Pay attention to the grammatical structure of the sentence. Is the missing word a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, or conjunction? Look for clues like articles (a, an, the), prepositions, and verb tenses.
- Look for Contextual Clues: The surrounding words and phrases often provide hints about the meaning of the missing word. Consider the overall tone and subject matter of the passage.
- Eliminate Incorrect Options: If multiple-choice options are provided, systematically eliminate those that are grammatically incorrect or do not fit the context.
- Substitute and Check: If unsure, try substituting each option into the blank and read the sentence aloud. The correct option will sound natural and logical.
Common Types of Fill-in-the-Blanks
Fill-in-the-blanks can test various aspects of language proficiency. Here are some common types:
- Vocabulary-Based: These questions test your knowledge of synonyms, antonyms, and related words.
- Grammar-Based: These questions focus on correct verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, and the use of prepositions and conjunctions.
- Idiom-Based: These questions require understanding of common English idioms and phrases.
- Contextual: These questions assess your ability to understand the overall meaning of a passage and choose words that fit the context.
Example Illustration (Hypothetical)
Let's assume a hypothetical sentence: "The government's new policy aims to ______ economic growth and reduce poverty."
Possible options might be: (a) hinder, (b) stimulate, (c) ignore, (d) suppress.
Analyzing the sentence, we see that the policy aims for positive outcomes. Therefore, "stimulate" (b) is the most appropriate choice, as it means to encourage or promote growth. The other options have negative connotations and don't fit the context.
Importance of Practice
Mastering fill-in-the-blanks questions requires consistent practice. Regularly reading English newspapers, magazines, and books can expand your vocabulary and improve your understanding of grammar and sentence structure. Solving previous years' UPSC question papers is also highly recommended.
Conclusion
While the provided question is incomplete, the principles outlined above are crucial for tackling fill-in-the-blanks questions in the UPSC examination. A combination of strong vocabulary, grammatical understanding, contextual awareness, and consistent practice will enable aspirants to confidently answer these questions and improve their overall score. Focusing on reading comprehension and analytical skills is key to success in this area.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.