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. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 2.

• A. would
• B. could
• C. should
• D. might

Answer 1

Answer:

C. should

• Expressing Expectation: The author is arguing that because the ship was well-designed, well-maintained, and properly inspected, there was no logical reason for it to sink. The "Should have" Construction: In English, "should never have happened" is a standard phrase used to express that an event was unexpected or shouldn't have occurred given the high standards or precautions taken. Contextual Logic: The passage lists all the reasons why the ship was safe (proper lifeboats, thorough inspection). The word "should" emphasizes that, logically, the disaster was preventable or mathematically unlikely.