Question

Comprehension: In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank. Naval architects never claim that a ship is unsinkable, but the sinking of the passenger-and-car ferry Estonia (1) ____ the Baltic surely (2) ______ never have happened. It was well designed and (3) ______ maintained. It carried the proper number of lifeboats. It (4)______ thoroughly inspected on the day of its fatal voyage. Yet hours later, the Estonia rolled over and (5) _______ in a cold and stormy night. Q.18 Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 3.

• A. awkwardly
• B. carefully
• C. carelessly
• D. haphazardly

Answer 1

Answer:

B. carefully

• Parallel Structure: The sentence uses the conjunction "and" to join two descriptors: "well designed" and "(3) ______ maintained." In English, when you link two ideas with "and," they should generally have the same positive or negative tone. Since "well designed" is positive, the second part must also be positive. Supporting Evidence: The author is building an argument that the ship was in excellent condition. The next few sentences mention it had the "proper number of lifeboats" and was "thoroughly inspected." These facts support the idea that the ship was carefully maintained. Logical Fit: To maintain a ship "carefully" means to keep it in good condition through regular and thorough attention. This fits the author's point that the sinking was a shocking mystery.