Fill-in-the-Blank is a subcategory of Language in Context in which blanks are found within text, and one sentence part is required for each blank. Here, blanks are found throughout a text rather than in individual sentences as in category #7, Fill-in-the-Blank.
ACTIVITIES:
1. Discussion Assignment: Why do refugees and immigrants come to the United States? What is the difference between the categories refugee and immigrant? Was Astor an immigrant or a refugee? How did he make so much money? Would his approach work in modern times? Would you recommend his methods?
Grammar Assignment: In the first paragraph- fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb in parentheses. In the second paragraph, select the verb with the correct meaning from the list below, and put the correct form of that verb in the blank in the appropriate sentence.
The Richest Man in the United States
John Jacob Astor ____________1 (leave) his home in Germany and _____________2 (arrive) in
America in 1783 after the American Revolution. He _______________3 (learn) the fur-trading
business and _____________4 (start) his own fur-gathering expeditions in New York State. By
1800, Astor _____________5 (have) a quarter of a million dollars. In 1808, he
______________6 (form) the American Fur Company and ______________7 (extend) his
fur-trading business into the Northwest Territory and the Louisiaiia Territory. Astor also
____________8 (enter) the Oriental trade business and ____________9 (trade) American furs
for Oriental silk, tea, and glassware.
He _____________10 most of his profits from the fur and Oriental trade business
in farm lands, and within a few years, he ____________ 11 the property of present day New
York, City. When he ____________ 12 in 1848, he ____________13 the richest man in
America. His real estate holdings and property rentals ____________14 more than $20 million.
John Jacob Astor _____________15 much of this money to libraries, universities, and charities
across the United States.
[Word List: be, donate, die, invest, own, total]
Byrd, P. and Benson, B. (1992). Applied English Grammar.
2. The following exercise consists of pairs of sentences. The first sentence contains a noun that is underlined. In the second sentence, fill in the blank with the correct verb form, which you have made from the underlined noun.
EXAMPLE: The dissemination of knowledge happens very quickly nowadays. The news of the medical breakthrough was disseminated immediately.
1. Rodin's "Thinker" seems to be lost in contemplation. Philosophers encourage us to _____________ the meaning of our lives.
2. Persuasive speakers often make their points through exaggeration of the facts. A writer should not _____________ to the extent of creating a false impression.
3. The proper articulation of sounds in a foreign language takes time. He was able to ___________ his response after a few moments of thought.
4. The constant reiteration of his demand annoyed most of those present. The politician _____________ his demand for a vote on the issue.
5. Participation in the school event is encouraged. Everyone is invited to ____________.
Dunham, H. and Summers, C. (1986). English Integrated.
3. Read the following paragraphs. Decide which relative pronoun is correct and fill in each blank. Then decide which clauses are restrictive and which are nonrestrictive. Add commas where necessary. If there are two blanks, add the necessary preposition.
Hawaii is a state _________ is composed of many islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Some of these islands still have volcanoes __________ erupt from time to time. A spectacular
eruption began in November 1961. Lava __________ is liquid or molten rock began to flow from
Kilauea volcano. At one point, lava __________ was forced up by pressure and steam reached a
height of 1,800 feet above the top of Kilauea. This period of activity lasted for five years, until July
1966.
In 1977, there were more eruptions. The inhabitants __________ the authorities
had warned of the danger refused to leave their villages. They believed that the fire goddess Pele
__________ they worshiped would not harm them. The lava flow didn't reach their villages, and
no one was hurt.
Kilauea and Mauna Loa __________ are both active volcanoes are located
within the boundaries of a national park. In this park is the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
__________ was established in 1911. This agency studies volcanoes and tries to predict
eruptions. Whenever an eruption occurs, many sightseers rush to see it. Some even fly in small
planes in order to get a closer view of the eruption.
Fingado, G., Freeman, L., Jerome, M., and Summers, C. (1991). The English Connection, 2nd ed.
4. The students have arrived, but the teacher hasn't arrived yet. Fill in each blank with will if the result is certain, should if it is probable, be supposed to, if it is expected, and may, migbt, or could if it is possible.
A: Where's the teacher today?
B: No one knows. She might be absent.
A: I'll go to the English office. They __________ 1 know if she's absent or not.
(A few minutes later.)
A: I asked the secretary in the English office. He said that the teacher called and said she had a flat tire, but she be __________ 2 here for sure tonight. She's not far, so she __________ 3 be here by 7:30.
B: We __________ 4 have a test today. Why don't we practice modals while we're waiting? That __________ 5 make her happy.
Elbaum, S. (1996). Grammar in Context, Book 3, 2nd ed.
5. Fill in the blanks with there is, there are, there was, or there were.
Before 1840, there weren't (negative) many white people in the western part of
the United States. In the 1840s, white people began to move out West. __________ many fights
between the settlers and the Indians over the land. __________ also fights between white hunters
and the Indians. The white hunters killed millions of buffalo. In 1865, 15 million of these animals.
By 1885, __________ only a thousand. The Indians needed the buffalo to survive. Without the
buffalo and the land, __________ (negative) any way for the Indians to keep their old way of life.
Fingado, G., Freeman, L., Jerome, M., and Summers, C. (1991). The English Connection, 2nd ed.
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