Question

In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 3.

In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank. The standard of living of any country means the average (1)________ share of the goods and services which the country produces. A country’s standard of living, therefore, (2)________ first and foremost on its capacity to produce wealth. ‘Wealth’, in this sense, is not money, for we do not live (3)________ money but on things that money (4)________ buy; ‘goods’ such as food and clothing and ‘services’ such as transport and entertainment. A country’s capacity to produce wealth depends upon many factors, most of which have an effect on one another. Wealth depends to a great extent (5)________ a country’s natural resources, such as coal, gold and other minerals, water supply and so on.

• A. into
• B. by
• C. in
• D. on

Answer 1

Answer:

D. on

The choice of the word "on" is determined by the grammatical rule of fixed prepositions. In English, the verb "live" is followed by the preposition "on" when referring to the source of sustenance or the means by which someone supports themselves (e.g., "living on a small income" or "living on fruits"). In this specific sentence, the author is creating a contrast between living on money versus living on the things that money can buy. The parallel structure of the sentence—"we do not live on money but on things..."—demands that the same preposition be used in both parts to maintain logical consistency. Option A ("into"), Option B ("by"), and Option C ("in") do not form the correct idiomatic expression required to describe the basic means of survival or support in this economic context.