In the passage about energy in India, choose the correct word to complete the first blank in the sentence: The _____ of energy in India are met from both commercial and non commercial sources.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: requirements

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:

This question is part of a cloze test passage on energy in India. Cloze tests evaluate your ability to understand context and choose words that fit both grammatically and logically. The sentence talks about energy in India being met from commercial and non commercial sources. You must decide which noun best completes the structure The _____ of energy in India are met from both commercial and non commercial sources.


Given Data / Assumptions:

- Sentence fragment: The _____ of energy in India are met from both commercial and non commercial sources. - Options: requirements, sources, availability, lessen. - The verb are met suggests something like needs or demands being satisfied.


Concept / Approach:

The idiomatic expression in English is the requirements of something are met or the needs of something are met. We usually meet requirements or demands, not sources or availability. The word lessen is a verb and does not fit the noun position in this structure. Therefore, the most suitable word is requirements, which refers to the total energy needed by the country and which can be met by different sources.


Step-by-Step Solution:

1. Focus on the phrase are met. In English, this is normally used with words like requirements, needs, or demands. 2. Insert each option mentally into the blank and read the sentence aloud. 3. The requirements of energy in India are met fits naturally and clearly conveys that the country energy needs are satisfied by different sources. 4. The sources of energy in India are met sounds wrong, because sources are not met; rather, they supply energy. 5. The availability of energy in India are met is grammatically incorrect because availability is singular, while are is plural, and we do not normally say availability is met. 6. Lessen is a verb meaning to reduce; it cannot grammatically occupy the blank, which requires a noun. 7. Therefore, requirements is the correct choice.


Verification / Alternative check:

Consider similar expressions: The requirements of food for a large city are met by neighbouring agricultural regions. The energy requirements of industry are met by various sources. In each case, requirements works perfectly with are met. Substituting sources in these sentences sounds unnatural, which confirms that requirements is the correct answer for this passage as well. The overall theme of the passage is energy demand and supply, and requirements nicely captures the idea of demand.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Sources: These are providers or origins of energy. We talk about sources of energy being used or developed, not about them being met. Availability: This noun refers to the state of being available and is usually paired with verbs like increase, improve, or reduce, not are met. Lessen: This is a verb meaning to reduce, and cannot function as the subject noun of are met.


Common Pitfalls:

Students sometimes hurry and choose sources because the sentence also mentions sources of energy. However, a careful look shows that sources already appear in the sentence as commercial and non commercial sources. The blank needs a different word that shows what is being satisfied by these sources. Remember to pay attention to verbs like are met, which strongly guide you toward specific collocations such as requirements or needs.


Final Answer:

The correct word for the first blank is requirements.

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