In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives. Sentence for this blank: “This __________ opportunities to them to be an orator, writer, poet, scholar or teacher.”

Introduction / Context:
This cloze question focuses on subject verb agreement and the correct tense form in a simple present tense sentence. The line describes how possessing verbal or linguistic creativity creates future possibilities for those individuals. You must complete the sentence with a verb form that agrees with the singular subject This and expresses a general truth or habitual fact.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Sentence: “This __________ opportunities to them to be an orator, writer, poet, scholar or teacher.”
• Options: opens, open, opening, opened.
• Subject: This (singular demonstrative pronoun referring to the gift described earlier).
• Verb must be in simple present tense to state a general fact about what the gift does.

Concept / Approach:
In the simple present tense, when the subject is third person singular (he, she, it, this, that), the verb takes an s form: opens, gives, creates. Here, This refers to the gift of verbal or linguistic creativity. We want to say “This opens opportunities …”, meaning it creates or makes available opportunities. Therefore, the correct verb form is opens. The other options either lack the required -s, use a participle, or place the action in the past.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify the subject: This – singular and third person.Determine the intended tense: the sentence expresses a general truth, so simple present tense is appropriate.Apply subject verb agreement: simple present with third person singular → verb + s, so we expect opens.Test “This opens opportunities …” – grammatically correct and meaningful.Check other options: open (plural/base form), opening (participle/gerund), opened (simple past), all of which are not correct with This in this context.

Verification / Alternative check:
Insert each option into the sentence:“This opens opportunities to them …” – correct; subject verb agreement and meaning are both right.“This open opportunities to them …” – wrong, as open must be used with plural subjects (These open …) or with auxiliary verbs.“This opening opportunities to them …” – incomplete; would need an auxiliary verb like is.“This opened opportunities to them …” – shifts the meaning to the past, which does not match the general, timeless statement of the passage.Therefore, opens is clearly the best fit.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Open without s is used with plural subjects or in infinitive forms, not directly after a singular subject in simple present. Opening is a participle or gerund and cannot serve as the main verb here without additional words. Opened is simple past tense and would suggest that the opportunities existed only in the past, conflicting with the general description of permanent possibilities. Since the passage describes how a gift continuously creates opportunities, the present tense opens is required.

Common Pitfalls:
Some exam candidates rush through cloze passages and overlook basic subject verb agreement, especially with demonstrative pronouns like this and these. A helpful habit is to underline the subject briefly and check whether it is singular or plural before choosing the verb. Remember: this opens, that helps, he works, she writes, but these open, they help. Keeping this pattern in mind will help you avoid many simple but costly errors.

Final Answer:
The correct verb form is opens, making the sentence: “This opens opportunities to them to be an orator, writer, poet, scholar or teacher.”