In the following passage type question, some words are missing. Read the sentence carefully and choose the correct option for the second blank. We are living in a time of great and _____ changes. The most obvious _____ of the modern world is the _____ development of science and technology. This has given man a deeper _____ of nature.

Introduction / Context:
This vocabulary question continues the same passage about the modern world and rapid changes. The second blank describes the type of changes we are experiencing. The word must fit with "a time of great and _____ changes" and must logically describe how these changes behave. The focus here is on meaning, collocation, and tone of the passage.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Sentence fragment: "We are living in a time of great and _____ changes."
• The passage is about the modern age and scientific and technological development.
• The adjective chosen must be compatible with "great" and "changes".
• Options: convenient, continuing, coveted, consequent.
• The overall tone is descriptive, not emotional or highly subjective.

Concept / Approach:
When we talk about broad social or technological changes over time, common collocations include "great and continuing changes", "great and rapid changes", or "great and far reaching changes". Among the given options, "continuing" best matches this pattern because it means ongoing or still happening. "Convenient" describes ease or comfort, not the nature of change itself. "Coveted" means "much desired", which does not describe changes as a process. "Consequent" usually means "resulting" and does not naturally collocate with "great and ... changes" in this context.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
If we read the full sentence with "continuing", it becomes "We are living in a time of great and continuing changes." This sounds like a sentence from a textbook or essay describing modern life. It clearly indicates that change is not only great in scale but also ongoing. The rest of the passage talks about rapid development of science and technology, which supports the idea that changes are still happening, not finished.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, "convenient", is used with things like "convenient time", "convenient method", or "convenient location", not "changes". Option C, "coveted", usually modifies objects or positions that people desire, such as "a coveted prize". Option D, "consequent", is more formal and would normally be used in patterns like "consequent changes in policy" but the phrase "great and consequent changes" without a clear cause sounds incomplete and stiff. Only "continuing" provides a smooth and meaningful description with "great".

Common Pitfalls:
Many students focus only on dictionary meanings and not on common usage. Even if a word is roughly related, it may not be the one that native speakers actually use in that context. Cloze tests often depend on collocations that are seen in good books and articles, so regular reading helps in building the intuition needed to choose the right option quickly.

Final Answer:
The best word for the second blank is continuing, giving the phrase "a time of great and continuing changes".