Directions (17-25): Read the following passage and answer the given questions.
Once upon a time, in a quaint little town, there lived a boy named Jack. His parents, both passionate archaeologists, traveled the world in pursuit of ancient mysteries, leaving Jack under the care of his uncle and aunt. Although his parents were absent from his daily life, his uncle and aunt made sure Jack received the best education, sending him to a prestigious boarding school.
Under the loving guidance of his aunt, Jack developed a keen interest in Physics. His aunt, who herself was a physics enthusiast, encouraged Jack to explore the wonders of the scientific world. They often discussed theories and experiments, and Jack found himself fascinated by the subject.
The family had a close friend named Dr. Brown, a brilliant scientist working on a mysterious project involving a time machine. Despite his usual reservation to share details about his project, Dr. Brown saw potential in Jack's enthusiasm and answered all his queries. Slowly, Jack became a regular visitor to Dr. Brown's home, delving into the intricate world of time travel and the scientific marvels associated with it.
As Jack spent more time at Dr. Brown's, he formed a close friendship with the scientist's daughter, Emily. Both passionate about physics, they started studying together, exploring concepts ranging from LED lights to the complexities of theoretical physics. The boy was very ____________ of lights, in particular which grew into a fascination that fueled his curiosity.
One fateful day, high-intensity lights began emitting from Dr. Brown's home, casting an otherworldly glow over the neighborhood. Concerned neighbors, unaware of the scientific endeavors within, approached the house, demanding an explanation. However, to their surprise, the house was empty, and there was no trace of the mysterious time machine.
Informed about the time machine, Jack discovered that Dr. Brown and Emily had traveled successfully to the future, leaving the neighbors baffled. This realization confirmed that the time machine worked, and his friends were now happily living in a different time. The once-worried neighbors, now puzzled and amazed, had to accept the mysterious turn of events. Grateful for the knowledge and friendships, Jack continued his studies, holding the secrets of time travel and a deep appreciation for physics.
Choose the most suitable word/phrase to fill the given blank in the passage.
Correct Answer :
fond
Solution :
The correct answer is fond.
Step-by-step Explanation:
1. Analyze the sentence and context:
The sentence reads: "The boy was very ____________ of lights, in particular which grew into a fascination that fueled his curiosity."
We need to find a word that grammatically fits with the preposition "of" and contextually aligns with the boy's growing interest and "fascination" with lights.
2. Evaluate the options based on preposition collocation:
- fond: Grammatically, "fond" is followed by the preposition "of" (e.g., "fond of someone/something"), which means having a liking for or love of something. This fits the structure "...very fond of lights..." perfectly.
- entitled: Usually followed by "to" (e.g., "entitled to").
- reluctant: Usually followed by an infinitive verb beginning with "to" (e.g., "reluctant to do something").
- attracted: Usually followed by "to" (e.g., "attracted to lights").
- distracted: Usually followed by "by" or "from" (e.g., "distracted by lights").
3. Contextual validation:
Saying that Jack was "very fond of lights" explains why this interest "grew into a fascination that fueled his curiosity." Therefore, "fond" is the grammatically correct and contextually appropriate choice.
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