In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and select the correct option for the given blank. Husain adds, "All I __________ in my life is about books and from books."

Introduction / Context:
This cloze question tests your understanding of tense and verb form in a clause introduced by "All I." The speaker, Husain, is talking about his entire life experience with books. The sentence is structured to summarise what he has gained over his life, so the correct choice must match this meaning and structure.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Sentence fragment: "All I __________ in my life is about books and from books."
• The subject of the relative clause is the implied "that," as in "All that I ..."
• The verb must complete the idea of everything the speaker has gained or come to know.
• The rest of the sentence is in the present tense ("is about books and from books") but refers to the total outcome of past experiences.

Concept / Approach:
The construction "All I learned in my life" is a common way to talk about the sum of one’s past learning. Here, "learned" is a simple past verb used in a relative clause. The phrase "All I learning" would be incorrect because "learning" is not a finite verb. "All I learns" would mismatch the subject "I," and "All I to learn" is also ungrammatical. Therefore, the most natural and grammatically correct choice is "learned."

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Expand the structure mentally as "All that I ... in my life." Step 2: Recognise that this calls for a past tense verb describing completed learning: "learned." Step 3: Insert "learned": "All I learned in my life is about books and from books." Step 4: Check the combination of clauses to ensure clarity and correctness. Step 5: Confirm that the sentence now reads smoothly and meaningfully.

Verification / Alternative check:
Test each alternative. "All I learning in my life" is clearly ungrammatical. "All I to learn" lacks a proper finite verb. "All I learns" mismatches with "I" and wrongly uses present simple third person singular. Only "learned" works as the past tense verb in this relative clause and fits the intended meaning that all of his learning came through books.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• learning: A present participle or gerund, not a finite verb, so it cannot complete "All I" in a standard sentence.
• to learn: An infinitive that would need a different structure, such as "All I want to learn," which is not the case here.
• learns: Third person singular present form, which is incorrect with the subject "I."

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates see the present tense "is" later in the sentence and incorrectly think that the earlier clause must also be present tense. However, it is common in English to summarise past experiences with a simple past verb and then comment on their present significance. Always look at each clause individually when choosing the verb form in cloze questions.

Final Answer:
The correct verb form is learned, giving the sentence: All I learned in my life is about books and from books.