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CAT 2025 Lesson : Fill in the Blanks - Elimination and Solved Examples
3. Elimination
Elimination, as a strategy, can be used in multiple Verbal Ability questions. We have already learnt how to select the correct option based on vocabulary, context and logical reasoning. If you read through the examples provided earlier, you will see that we can sometimes eliminate options based on these. This is especially true in FIB questions with two or more blanks. For instance, in example 15, we eliminate three options because one of the blanks can only be filled with the word lack. Let us look at the following examples to understand elimination better.Example 25
Choose the option with the words most suitable for filling in the respective blanks.
To get a sense of just how _____________ the Pacific Ocean is, you could put all of Earth's landmasses together, and the Pacific would still be __________.
(1) deep, deeper
(2) populated, denser
(3) immense, larger
(4) high, higher
Therefore, option (3) is the correct choice, as the author is saying that the Pacific Ocean is larger (in size) than all of Earth's landmass combined.
Comparing the population density (number of living creatures) does not make sense, and hence, we can eliminate option (2) as well. We have already eliminated options (1) and (4).
Answer: (3) immense, larger
To get a sense of just how _____________ the Pacific Ocean is, you could put all of Earth's landmasses together, and the Pacific would still be __________.
(1) deep, deeper
(2) populated, denser
(3) immense, larger
(4) high, higher
Solution
The Pacific Ocean is being compared to all the landmass (continents) in the earth. The Pacific Ocean being a water body, the only comparison could be in size. Earth landmass is not deep and oceans are not high.Therefore, option (3) is the correct choice, as the author is saying that the Pacific Ocean is larger (in size) than all of Earth's landmass combined.
Comparing the population density (number of living creatures) does not make sense, and hence, we can eliminate option (2) as well. We have already eliminated options (1) and (4).
Answer: (3) immense, larger
Example 26
Fill in the blanks in the passage with the most appropriate set of words from the options.
[CAT 2003 Retest]
Their achievement in the field of literature is described as ___________; sometimes it is even called ___________.
(1) magnificent, irresponsible
(2) insignificant, influential
(3) significant, paltry
(4) unimportant, trivial
The only option which has both words with similar meaning is option (4). Both unimportant and trivial mean the same thing. On the other hand, the other options have words which are antonyms. Therefore, we can eliminate the first three options.
Note that this is a question which we could not have solved in any other way, as there is no way to know whether the achievements were significant or not without the benefit of similar options.
Answer: (4) unimportant, trivial
[CAT 2003 Retest]
Their achievement in the field of literature is described as ___________; sometimes it is even called ___________.
(1) magnificent, irresponsible
(2) insignificant, influential
(3) significant, paltry
(4) unimportant, trivial
Solution
We must select the option which best “fits” the sentence logically. As the sentence is describing someone's literary achievements, both words need to be similar in meaning, as they are describing one thing.The only option which has both words with similar meaning is option (4). Both unimportant and trivial mean the same thing. On the other hand, the other options have words which are antonyms. Therefore, we can eliminate the first three options.
Note that this is a question which we could not have solved in any other way, as there is no way to know whether the achievements were significant or not without the benefit of similar options.
Answer: (4) unimportant, trivial
Example 27
In the question below, there are three blanks. Each blank has a pair of words that are highlighted. From these words, select the most appropriate words (A or B) to form correct sentences. The sentences are followed by options that indicate the words, which may be selected to correctly complete the set of sentences. From the options given, choose the most appropriate one.
Is pessimism inevitably the sign of decline, ___________ decadence/disruption, waywardness; of wearied, ___________ enfeebled/tired instincts. Is there a pessimism of strength? An intellectual predilection for what is hard, terrible, evil, problematic in existence; arising from well-being, overflowing health, the abundance of existence? Is it perhaps possible to suffer from over-abundance? A tempting and challenging, sharp-eyed courage that craves the terrible as one craves the enemy, the ___________ unworthy/worthy enemy, against whom it can test its strength? Wishing to learn from it the meaning of fear?
(1) AAA (2) AAB (3) ABA (4) BAB
For the second blank, we can select enfeebled (meaning weakened) as tired would be a repetition. Note that at this point, we can select option (2).
For the third blank, we can select worthy, as it more suitable logically – enemy craved by courage, against whom one can test its strength would necessarily be worthy, not unworthy.
Therefore, option (2) is the correct choice.
Answer: (2) AAB
Is pessimism inevitably the sign of decline, ___________ decadence/disruption, waywardness; of wearied, ___________ enfeebled/tired instincts. Is there a pessimism of strength? An intellectual predilection for what is hard, terrible, evil, problematic in existence; arising from well-being, overflowing health, the abundance of existence? Is it perhaps possible to suffer from over-abundance? A tempting and challenging, sharp-eyed courage that craves the terrible as one craves the enemy, the ___________ unworthy/worthy enemy, against whom it can test its strength? Wishing to learn from it the meaning of fear?
(1) AAA (2) AAB (3) ABA (4) BAB
Solution
Let us consider the blanks. In the first sentence, the author is speaking of negative aspects – decline (meaning diminish, reduce, deteriorate), waywardness (meaning unmanageable, rebellious, stubborn), weariness (meaning tiredness, exhaustion). Thus, we can infer that decadence (meaning cultural decline by excessive indulgence in pleasure, luxurious self-indulgence) is more suitable than disruption (meaning disturbance in an existing activity or process). Additionally, disruption has evolved to be used in a positive context these days (e.g. Uber has disrupted the taxi industry, Airbnb has disrupted the hospitality industry). Decadence is more suitable in its first meaning.For the second blank, we can select enfeebled (meaning weakened) as tired would be a repetition. Note that at this point, we can select option (2).
For the third blank, we can select worthy, as it more suitable logically – enemy craved by courage, against whom one can test its strength would necessarily be worthy, not unworthy.
Therefore, option (2) is the correct choice.
Answer: (2) AAB
Example 28
Choose the option with the words most suitable for filling in the respective blanks.
In other words, the burden that businesses and ___________ bear is not coming down significantly enough to encourage the kind of investment and consumption that the central bank had hoped for. Worse still, bankers are cautioning they have very little ___________ to cut lending rates in the near future, given their high cost of funds.
(1) consumers, interest
(2) consumers, headroom
(3) corporates, appetite
(4) employees, leeway
Let us choose between interest, headroom and appetite for the second blank. The author has told us that banks have a high cost of funds. Therefore, we can infer that headroom (meaning space or leeway to reduce rates, in this context) is more suitable. Both appetite and interest would imply that banks are choosing not to lower interest rates – whereas the high cost of funds implies that banks cannot lower them.
Leeway would also be suitable, but we have already eliminated option (4). Thus, we can select option (2) as the correct choice.
Answer: (2) consumers, headroom
In other words, the burden that businesses and ___________ bear is not coming down significantly enough to encourage the kind of investment and consumption that the central bank had hoped for. Worse still, bankers are cautioning they have very little ___________ to cut lending rates in the near future, given their high cost of funds.
(1) consumers, interest
(2) consumers, headroom
(3) corporates, appetite
(4) employees, leeway
Solution
These sentences tell us that bank lending rates will probably remain at current levels – possibly, the term burden refers to these interest rates. The first blank, can therefore, be filled by either consumers or corporates – employees does not make logical sense (employees need not bear interest for corporate loans, and consumers is a better depiction of common people). Consumers is perhaps more suitable as corporates is similar to businesses, and as such, redundant.Let us choose between interest, headroom and appetite for the second blank. The author has told us that banks have a high cost of funds. Therefore, we can infer that headroom (meaning space or leeway to reduce rates, in this context) is more suitable. Both appetite and interest would imply that banks are choosing not to lower interest rates – whereas the high cost of funds implies that banks cannot lower them.
Leeway would also be suitable, but we have already eliminated option (4). Thus, we can select option (2) as the correct choice.
Answer: (2) consumers, headroom
4. Solved examples
Example 29
The question below contains a blank space. Beneath the sentence are four words. Choose the word that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
Researchers have successfully grown model versions of early human embryos by “reprogramming” cells from human skin. The ____________ potentially opens up new ways to study the earliest phases of human development.
(1) break (2) breakthrough (3) breakout (4) breakdown
Break (meaning interruption, pause, opportunity) and breakdown (meaning failure, collapse) are not relevant here.
Breakout (meaning escape, wildly successful) in its second meaning is typically used for movies or works of art, and hence, is also not as suitable as breakthrough.
Answer: (2) breakthrough
Researchers have successfully grown model versions of early human embryos by “reprogramming” cells from human skin. The ____________ potentially opens up new ways to study the earliest phases of human development.
(1) break (2) breakthrough (3) breakout (4) breakdown
Solution
A breakthrough is a sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development. This is the suitable choice for this blank, as researchers have succeeded in reprogramming human cells.Break (meaning interruption, pause, opportunity) and breakdown (meaning failure, collapse) are not relevant here.
Breakout (meaning escape, wildly successful) in its second meaning is typically used for movies or works of art, and hence, is also not as suitable as breakthrough.
Answer: (2) breakthrough
Example 30
In the question below, there are five sentences. Each sentence has a pair of words that are highlighted. From the highlighted words, select the most appropriate words (A or B) to form correct sentences. The sentences are followed by options that indicate the words, which may be selected to correctly complete the set of sentences. From the options given, choose the most appropriate one.
[CAT 2008]
She managed to bite back the ironic(A)/caustic(B) retort on the tip of her tongue.
He gave an impassioned and valid(A)/cogent(B) plea for judicial reform.
I am not adverse(A)/averse(B) to helping out.
The coupé(A)/coup(B) broke away as the train climbed the hill.
They heard the bells peeling(A)/pealing(B) far and wide.
(1) BBABA
(2) BBBAB
(3) BAABB
(4) ABBAA
(5) BBBBA
Both valid and cogent means sound, clear, logical,, but the phrase cogent argument is more commonly used. The word cogent is typically used only for arguments.
Averse, meaning opposed, is more suitable for the third sentence than adverse meaning harmful.
A coupé is a railway compartment, and hence should be used in the next sentence. A coup is an unexpected or violent seizure of power.
Lastly, bells peal (ring), and not peel (outer layer, remove the outer layer).
Therefore, option (2) – BBBAB – is the correct choice. Note that you can get such questions right even if you are not sure of one or two words, based on the options. In such questions, try and use the options to your advantage – you can also save time.
Answer: (2) BBBAB
[CAT 2008]
She managed to bite back the ironic(A)/caustic(B) retort on the tip of her tongue.
He gave an impassioned and valid(A)/cogent(B) plea for judicial reform.
I am not adverse(A)/averse(B) to helping out.
The coupé(A)/coup(B) broke away as the train climbed the hill.
They heard the bells peeling(A)/pealing(B) far and wide.
(1) BBABA
(2) BBBAB
(3) BAABB
(4) ABBAA
(5) BBBBA
Solution
Caustic (meaning biting, sharp, sarcastic) is more suitable for a retort than ironic (meaning unexpected, characterised by irony). This is because someone would typically want to bite back a biting retort as it would hurt or annoy the listener.Both valid and cogent means sound, clear, logical,, but the phrase cogent argument is more commonly used. The word cogent is typically used only for arguments.
Averse, meaning opposed, is more suitable for the third sentence than adverse meaning harmful.
A coupé is a railway compartment, and hence should be used in the next sentence. A coup is an unexpected or violent seizure of power.
Lastly, bells peal (ring), and not peel (outer layer, remove the outer layer).
Therefore, option (2) – BBBAB – is the correct choice. Note that you can get such questions right even if you are not sure of one or two words, based on the options. In such questions, try and use the options to your advantage – you can also save time.
Answer: (2) BBBAB
Example 31
Choose the option with the words most suitable for filling in the respective blanks.
[XAT 2008]
It is not ______________ democratic that the parliament should be ______________ on issues and resort to passing ______________ rather than have an open debate on the floor of the house.
(1) quite, quite, ordinances
(2) quite, quiet, ordnances
(3) quiet, quite, ordnances
(4) quite, quiet, ordinances
(5) quiet, quiet, ordinances
The second blank should be quiet. Hence, we can easily eliminate options (1) and (3).Thus, we must choose from options (2) and (4).
Ordnance is related to artillery or military armaments and ordinance means rule or command. Therefore, ordinances is the correct choice.
The sentence is thus logically correct as well – the parliament should be having debates or discussions, and should not be passing ordinances or commands.
Answer: (4) quite, quiet, ordinances
[XAT 2008]
It is not ______________ democratic that the parliament should be ______________ on issues and resort to passing ______________ rather than have an open debate on the floor of the house.
(1) quite, quite, ordinances
(2) quite, quiet, ordnances
(3) quiet, quite, ordnances
(4) quite, quiet, ordinances
(5) quiet, quiet, ordinances
Solution
Quite means completely or to a significant degree, whereas, quiet means making no noise. The first blank should, therefore, be filled with quite. Hence, we can eliminate options (3) and (5).The second blank should be quiet. Hence, we can easily eliminate options (1) and (3).Thus, we must choose from options (2) and (4).
Ordnance is related to artillery or military armaments and ordinance means rule or command. Therefore, ordinances is the correct choice.
The sentence is thus logically correct as well – the parliament should be having debates or discussions, and should not be passing ordinances or commands.
Answer: (4) quite, quiet, ordinances
Example 32
Identify the correct sequence of words that aptly fit the blanks in the following passage.
[XAT 2015]
It is _____ (i) _____ that the accused had _____ (ii) _____ _____ (iii) _____ from all criminal activities by adopting the _____ (iv) _____ of a sanyasi. However, despite repeated requests from the counsel for prosecution, the court has _____ (v) _____ a lie detector to ascertain the truth.
(1) (i) inferred, (ii) feigned, (iii) separation, (iv) deportment, (v) prescribed
(2) (i) inferred, (ii) forged, (iii) parting, (iv) deportment, (v) proscribed
(3) (i) implied, (ii) faked, (iii) separation, (iv) demeanour, (v) proscribed
(4) (i) implied, (ii) feigned, (iii) separation, (iv) demeanour, (v) proscribed
(5) (i) inferred, (ii) faked, (iii) cessation, (iv) deportment, (v) proscribed
Let us consider the next two blanks, as they are placed together. The only grammatically and semantically correct option is feigned separation. Feigned means pretended, whereas faked means falsified. Thus, feigned is more suitable. Forged (meaning fraudulently copied) is not suitable in this context as it is typically used for money or documents.
For the fourth blank, we must choose between deportment (meaning gait or way of walking) and demeanour (meaningmanner or appearance). We can select demeanour based on logical reasoning – sanyasis, (religious mendicants) will have similar appearance but not a similar style of walking.
The first sentence tells us that the accused is probably lying about being a sanyasi. The last sentence is speaking about the court's decision about using a lie-detector. We can infer that the court has probably not permitted a lie detector (based on the usage of howeverand despite repeated requests). If the court had permitted the use of a lie-detector, the counsel for prosecution could have easily proved that the accused was lying about being a sanyasi. Thus, proscribed (meaning forbidden) is the correct choice for blank (v), instead of prescribed (meaning ordered or recommended).
Therefore, option (3) is the correct choice.
Answer: (3) (i) implied, (ii) faked, (iii) separation, (iv) demeanour, (v) proscribed
[XAT 2015]
It is _____ (i) _____ that the accused had _____ (ii) _____ _____ (iii) _____ from all criminal activities by adopting the _____ (iv) _____ of a sanyasi. However, despite repeated requests from the counsel for prosecution, the court has _____ (v) _____ a lie detector to ascertain the truth.
(1) (i) inferred, (ii) feigned, (iii) separation, (iv) deportment, (v) prescribed
(2) (i) inferred, (ii) forged, (iii) parting, (iv) deportment, (v) proscribed
(3) (i) implied, (ii) faked, (iii) separation, (iv) demeanour, (v) proscribed
(4) (i) implied, (ii) feigned, (iii) separation, (iv) demeanour, (v) proscribed
(5) (i) inferred, (ii) faked, (iii) cessation, (iv) deportment, (v) proscribed
Solution
The first blank can be filled by either inferred or implied.Let us consider the next two blanks, as they are placed together. The only grammatically and semantically correct option is feigned separation. Feigned means pretended, whereas faked means falsified. Thus, feigned is more suitable. Forged (meaning fraudulently copied) is not suitable in this context as it is typically used for money or documents.
For the fourth blank, we must choose between deportment (meaning gait or way of walking) and demeanour (meaningmanner or appearance). We can select demeanour based on logical reasoning – sanyasis, (religious mendicants) will have similar appearance but not a similar style of walking.
The first sentence tells us that the accused is probably lying about being a sanyasi. The last sentence is speaking about the court's decision about using a lie-detector. We can infer that the court has probably not permitted a lie detector (based on the usage of howeverand despite repeated requests). If the court had permitted the use of a lie-detector, the counsel for prosecution could have easily proved that the accused was lying about being a sanyasi. Thus, proscribed (meaning forbidden) is the correct choice for blank (v), instead of prescribed (meaning ordered or recommended).
Therefore, option (3) is the correct choice.
Answer: (3) (i) implied, (ii) faked, (iii) separation, (iv) demeanour, (v) proscribed
5. Cheatsheet
Fill in the Blanks questions might have one or two blanks. You have to select the correct option based on your understanding of the sentence/paragraph provided by using vocabulary, grammar and/or logical reasoning.
Cloze Passages are a type of Fill in the Blanks questions, having one or more paragraphs with multiple blanks. You need to read through the entire paragraph and solve all the blanks, by understanding the complete information given in the paragraph. Cloze Passages questions are a little easier than Fill in the Blanks, because we have more sentences to understand the context of the paragraph.
Focus on:
1) Vocabulary – selecting the correct word based on its meaning
2) Correct grammatical usage (e.g. advice is a noun while advise is a verb, correct part of speech)
3) Suitable spelling
4) Idioms (a list is provided in the Analogies lesson)
5) Word pairs (e.g. back and forth, chalk and cheese, beck and call, flesh and blood)
6) Typical context or tone of a word (e.g. both unique and peculiar mean one of a kind, but unique is typically used in a positive context whereas peculiar is used in a negative context).
7) Degree of a word (e.g. wealthy vs. affluent, warm vs. searing hot)
8) Logical reasoning – selecting the correct option by understanding the message conveyed by the sentence
You must read the paragraph(s) and understand
- the author's key message
- the author's tone
Some basic reasoning concepts are:
1) Cause and effect (one event causing another)
2) Similarity or central idea (two or more similar reasons)
3) Contrast (two opposing hypotheses or reasons)
A key strategy which can be used in FIB questions is elimination – look for the message of the sentence, context of the word, grammatical rules etc.
Cloze Passages are a type of Fill in the Blanks questions, having one or more paragraphs with multiple blanks. You need to read through the entire paragraph and solve all the blanks, by understanding the complete information given in the paragraph. Cloze Passages questions are a little easier than Fill in the Blanks, because we have more sentences to understand the context of the paragraph.
Focus on:
1) Vocabulary – selecting the correct word based on its meaning
2) Correct grammatical usage (e.g. advice is a noun while advise is a verb, correct part of speech)
3) Suitable spelling
4) Idioms (a list is provided in the Analogies lesson)
5) Word pairs (e.g. back and forth, chalk and cheese, beck and call, flesh and blood)
6) Typical context or tone of a word (e.g. both unique and peculiar mean one of a kind, but unique is typically used in a positive context whereas peculiar is used in a negative context).
7) Degree of a word (e.g. wealthy vs. affluent, warm vs. searing hot)
8) Logical reasoning – selecting the correct option by understanding the message conveyed by the sentence
You must read the paragraph(s) and understand
- the author's key message
- the author's tone
Some basic reasoning concepts are:
1) Cause and effect (one event causing another)
2) Similarity or central idea (two or more similar reasons)
3) Contrast (two opposing hypotheses or reasons)
A key strategy which can be used in FIB questions is elimination – look for the message of the sentence, context of the word, grammatical rules etc.
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