Direction: In the following passage some words have been deleted. Fill in

Explanation

Understanding the Fill in the Blank Question The question asks us to choose the most appropriate word to fill in blank No. 3 in the given passage. The passage describes an old couple and their pet dog, Muko. The blank is part of a sentence describing how Muko sits on a cushion made for him. Analyzing Blank No. 3 The sentence with blank No. 3 reads: "at mealtime Muko—for that was its name— would sit on it as (3)______ as any cat." We need an adverb here because the word modifies the verb "sit". The comparison "as ______ as any cat" suggests a characteristic way cats sit. Examining the Options Let's look at the meaning of each option provided: comfortably: in a way that is relaxing and without pain or stiffness. strongly: in a way that shows great physical power or is not easily broken. securely: in a way that is protected or certain not to be lost or harmed. compactly: in a way that is neatly and efficiently packed or arranged in a small space. Choosing the Most Appropriate Word The sentence compares Muko's sitting posture to that of a cat. Cats are often known for their ability to sit in relaxed, easy positions on cushions or other soft surfaces. This suggests a state of ease and relaxation. Sitting 'strongly' or 'securely' does not fit the context of simply sitting on a cushion at mealtime like a pet. Sitting 'compactly' means sitting in a small, packed way, which is possible for cats, but the primary characteristic associated with a comfortable spot is often comfort itself. Sitting 'comfortably' aligns well with the idea of a pampered pet dog sitting on its special cushion during meals, behaving much like a relaxed cat might on a soft surface. Therefore, 'comfortably' is the most appropriate word to describe how Muko sits on the cushion, comparing his relaxed posture to that of a cat. The completed sentence is: "at mealtime Muko—for that was its name—would sit on it as comfortably as any cat." Option Analysis for Blank No. 3 Option Meaning Suitability for Blank 3 comfortably In a relaxed way Fits the context of sitting on a cushion like a cat. With strongly Does not fit sitting posture on a cushion. power/firmness securely Safely/firmly fixed Does not fit sitting posture on a cushion. Possible for cats, but 'comfortably' is a more compactly In a small space direct comparison to a relaxed state on a cushion. Conclusion Based on the context and the comparison to a cat's typical sitting behaviour, the word 'comfortably' best completes the sentence for blank No. 3. Revision Table: Filling Blanks Reviewing Options for Blank 3 Blank Best Fit Context Reasoning Number Word Sitting on a cushion Compares the dog's relaxed 3 "as _____ as any comfortably sitting posture to a cat's ease on a cat" soft surface. Additional Information: Adverbs of Manner The word chosen for blank No. 3, 'comfortably', is an adverb of manner. Adverbs of manner describe how an action is performed. They often end in "-ly" but not always. Examples of adverbs of manner: He ran quickly. (How did he run? Quickly) She sang beautifully. (How did she sing? Beautifully) They walked slowly. (How did they walk? Slowly) Muko sat comfortably. (How did Muko sit? Comfortably) In the sentence from the passage, 'comfortably' describes the manner in which Muko would sit on the cushion, comparing this manner to that of a cat.