“When she fell down the _______, she received many _______ but little help.”
The words that best fill the blanks in the above sentence are
Correct Answer
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
This question tests your understanding of commonly confused words, specifically 'stairs' and 'stares'. Let's break down the sentence and the meanings of these words to find the best fit.
Understanding 'Stairs' and 'Stares'
It's important to know the difference between these two words:
- Stairs: This word refers to a set of steps that lead from one level of a building to another. It is a physical structure. For example, "He climbed the stairs to the second floor."
- Stares: This word is the plural form of 'stare', which means to look fixedly or intently at someone or something, often with wide eyes. It describes an action of looking. For example, "The children gave the magician curious stares."
Analyzing the Sentence Context
Let's look at the sentence:
"When she fell down the _______, she received many _______ but little help."
We need to fill in two blanks. The first blank describes where she fell, and the second blank describes what she received.
- First Blank: The phrase "fell down the _______" requires a location where someone can fall. Falling down physical steps is common. Therefore, 'stairs' is the appropriate word here. 'Stares' (looking) doesn't fit as a place to fall.
- Second Blank: The phrase "she received many _______ but little help" suggests the reactions of others after she fell. People might look at someone who has fallen. 'Stares' (fixed looks) fits this context, indicating people were watching her. 'Stairs' doesn't make sense as something one receives after falling.
Choosing the Correct Option
Based on the analysis, the first blank should be 'stairs' and the second blank should be 'stares'. Let's check the options:
- Option 1: stairs, stares - This perfectly matches our analysis. The sentence reads: "When she fell down the stairs, she received many stares but little help." This makes logical sense.
- Option 2: stairs, stairs - The second 'stairs' doesn't fit the context of receiving something after falling.
- Option 3: stares, stairs - Both words are misplaced. You don't fall down 'stares', and you don't receive 'stairs' after falling.
- Option 4: stares, stares - The first 'stares' is incorrect as a place to fall.
Therefore, the words that best fill the blanks are 'stairs' and 'stares'.
Understanding 'Stairs' and 'Stares'
It's important to know the difference between these two words:
- Stairs: This word refers to a set of steps that lead from one level of a building to another. It is a physical structure. For example, "He climbed the stairs to the second floor."
- Stares: This word is the plural form of 'stare', which means to look fixedly or intently at someone or something, often with wide eyes. It describes an action of looking. For example, "The children gave the magician curious stares."
Analyzing the Sentence Context
Let's look at the sentence:
"When she fell down the _______, she received many _______ but little help."
We need to fill in two blanks. The first blank describes where she fell, and the second blank describes what she received.
- First Blank: The phrase "fell down the _______" requires a location where someone can fall. Falling down physical steps is common. Therefore, 'stairs' is the appropriate word here. 'Stares' (looking) doesn't fit as a place to fall.
- Second Blank: The phrase "she received many _______ but little help" suggests the reactions of others after she fell. People might look at someone who has fallen. 'Stares' (fixed looks) fits this context, indicating people were watching her. 'Stairs' doesn't make sense as something one receives after falling.
Choosing the Correct Option
Based on the analysis, the first blank should be 'stairs' and the second blank should be 'stares'. Let's check the options:
- Option 1: stairs, stares - This perfectly matches our analysis. The sentence reads: "When she fell down the stairs, she received many stares but little help." This makes logical sense.
- Option 2: stairs, stairs - The second 'stairs' doesn't fit the context of receiving something after falling.
- Option 3: stares, stairs - Both words are misplaced. You don't fall down 'stares', and you don't receive 'stairs' after falling.
- Option 4: stares, stares - The first 'stares' is incorrect as a place to fall.
Therefore, the words that best fill the blanks are 'stairs' and 'stares'.